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| THE ARTS |
The Chapter’s goal is to promote The Arts especially where there are opportunities to experience Black arts on a local level. The primary objective of this program is to make a contribution to the rapidly expanding cultural strengths of our community by providing an affordable opportunity for as many African American families and individuals, to show their
support and celebrate new and old Black international and nationally acclaimed performing artists.
The Greater Seattle Chapter has collaborated and partnered with the University of Washington Meany Theater to present a “Black Arts Celebration” of four performances by nationally renowned artists for the community.
A component of this partnership includes visits by world renowned pianists and other artists. We share these partnerships with the African American Academy a part of the Chapter’s Adopt-A-School Initiative Umbrella Program.
Examples of Partnerships:
The Greater Chapter of Links worked with Meany Theater to arrange a 4 performance “Black Arts” ticket package” at $100.00 per person to create an affordable opportunity for the African American community to attend all of the performances. The average ticket price for a single night performance was $35.00 per person.
Angelique Kidjo, Friday, September 30, 2005
The popular African singer Angelique Kidjo's music consists of the West-African traditions of her childhood in Benin mixed with elements of American R&B, funk and jazz, as well as influences in Europe and Latin America. Kidjo has received three Grammy Award nominations and has worked with such well-known artists as Dave Matthews, Santana and Gilberto Gil.
Blueprint of A Lady: The Once and Future Life of Billie Holiday
Choreography by Ronald K. Brown, Concept and Vocals by Nnenna Freelon
Thurs-Sat, October 13-15, 2005
A dynamic dance and jazz performance piece based upon the life and legacy of Billie Holiday featuring vocalist Nnenna Freelon, her band, and Ronald K. Brown’s EVIDENCE dance company.. Blueprint of a Lady is not biographical and as such does not flow in a linear fashion. Nor does it attempt to depict Ms. Holiday’s short life as a tragic tale of genius marred by abuse. Blueprint uses the lexicon of jazz to tell a universal story of triumph and redemption Just as Billie bended her notes creating stories with subtle vocal shifts and phrasing like a horn, so Ron Brown creates a soulful language with movement - his vocabulary informed by the lyrics and the story unfolding through the dancer’s bodies. Nnenna Freelon propels the story through her phrasing and use of melody, emphasizing the emotions in the words and capturing the heart of this Lady’s story. The structure of the piece is influenced by the jazz musical style in that the two art forms—music and dance—are designed to flow as one story. There is an intended interplay between the musicians, dancers and singer. Blueprint of a Lady is a universal story that flows like a composition, subtly shifting between the body, the eye, the ear, and the heart.
Leon Bates, Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Having performed in virtually all of the major halls in the United States and on nearly every continent, Bates' sheer mastery and virtuosity led Melinda Bargreen to comment, "Leon Bates is a pianist of natural exuberance and great breadth..." Bates' love for music has served to inspire and strengthen the UW World Series' commitment to education. This commitment continued as Bates spent a week of residency work with Seattle Public Schools.
HOW WILL THIS PROGRAM BE SUSTAINED
- The Chapter continues to look for opportunities to bring affordable culturally related performances to the community.
- The Arts Committee is committed to continuing to provide, promote and produce a season of Black arts for our community to enjoy.
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