Calendar of Events

YouTh…ink After School Program: Focus on Literature and At Risk Youth!

St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. has established a new program initiative aimed at helping our youth. YouTh ink. @ Hayti After-school Program is for at-risk and adjudicated youths. The program will focus on helping students develop skills that will make them less likely to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors. The program will use spoken word poetry to introduce students to tools that can aid them in strengthening their communication skills, as well as “finding their voice” and their sense of purpose in society.

YouTh ink. @ Hayti will use spoken word poetry to introduce students to tools that can aid them in strengthening their communication skills, as well as “finding their voice” and sense of purpose in society. The program is broken into two 10-week after-school sessions, one beginning Fall 2010 and the other, Spring 2011. The program is for at-risk and adjudicated youth ages 14-18. Sessions will meet 3 times a week for approximately 2-hrs.

Furthermore, as it applies to literacy education the YouTh ink. pedagogy is designed to incorporate and reinforce academic knowledge previously presented in classroom instruction (i.e. tropes and figurative language, formal writing techniques, references to curriculum texts), while also differing enough that it feels like something new to participants who are often disillusioned with the traditional education system. The program curriculum is structured to explore many of the concepts and fulfill many of the literacy goals outlined in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (NCSCS), as well as incorporate texts commonly used in the classroom (i.e. Romeo and Juliet, The Odyssey). Therefore, we contend that our programming works to enhance students’ understanding of required material in state and regional curriculums, as well as to expand their knowledge base and interests into new fields.

Young people play a key role in the future of any cultural organization, and that is the case for the Hayti Heritage Center. The Foundation believes that exposure to the arts, education and cultural programming makes a smarter child, and a more humanitarian individual. We also believe that the arts and education should be accessible to all youth, especially those who are facing multiple challenges and are at risk. Statistics show that children with significant exposure to the arts build skills that are critical for academic success.

Filed under: Programs

Collage Dance Company Presents M’SEMBA

collage_group24th Anniversary Performance

RTP, NC – Collage Dance Company, a group of young dancers and musicians working together to explore African and African American dance and music traditions, will present M’SEMBA at its 24th Spring Performance on Saturday, May, 2 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Both shows will be performed at the Reynolds Theater in the Bryan University Center, Duke University, in Durham, NC 27708. Tickets are available at the Hayti Heritage Center’s box office. Call 683-1709 x 22. Concert ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Group rates are available.

Sadiyah Shakur is the artistic director and Toni K. Hall is the assistant artistic director. This year’s anniversary performance entitled M’SEMBA: passing down power and strength from one generation to another.

“We’re excited to showcase the newest members and new dances this year. The performance is upbeat and fun for the entire family. Our goal is to bring the joy of dance to as many people as possible.” said Shakur.

collage2The company is based at The St. Joseph’s Hayti Heritage Center. Members ranging in ages from 9 – 20, represent youth from across the Triangle including Cary, Raleigh, Garner, and Durham. Company members serve as role models of self-determination and unity for other African American youth today in our community. Collage Dance Company has performed at the annual Kwanzaa Celebrations in Cary and Durham and many local festivals and events. Tickets for the spring performance at Duke will also be available at the door.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit dance scholarships for graduating members who will attend college in the fall. Ads and sponsorships are also available. Visit the website to learn more at www.collagedancecompany.org

Filed under: Events,Programs

2009 Program Season

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January 2009

Bright Star Children’s Theatre The Life of Dr. Martin L. King Jr. [read press release]

Raise a Reader Book Fair & Youth Talent Showcase with special guest Ralph Burgass
January 17

Sheryl Lee Ralph (one woman show on HIV/AIDS) – Sometimes I Cry [read press release]
January 23 & 24

Otis Taylor Concert- collaboration with Duke Performances [read press release]
January 22

Baron Tymas CD Release Party
January 25

United Negro College Fund Gala (to support scholarships)

recapturingbanjo.jpgFebruary 2009

Slave Photograph Exhibition
February 5

Pastels & Zinfendal Wine & Cheese with Art event
February 7

Annual Valentine’s Jazz Festival featuring Duke, NCCU and UNC Big Bands
February 15 at 6pm

Hayti Heritage Film Festival
February 19-22

15th annual Black Diaspora Film Festival
HAFY- Color Struck by Lacy Productions (2-shows)

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March 2009

Annual Spirit of Hayti Awards
Vincent Mantsoe in Residence (collaboration with Duke Dance Program)

April 2009

Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival (major collaborator with City of Durham)
Tobacco

Road Concert Series (2 concerts)

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June 2009

HOST- 16th annual Southeast Regional Poetry Slam Competition- Southern Fried Regional (Major regional arts event with multiple performances and collaborators- a one week event)

September 2009

2009 Bull Durham Blues Festival
September 11-12, historic Durham Athletic Park (DAP), home to the festival for 20 years

Filed under: Programs

The Life of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.

HERITAGE ARTS FOR YOUTH PROGRAMmlk.jpg
Presented by the Bright Star Children’s Theatre

St. Joseph’s Performance Hall @ Hayti Heritage Center
Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Click here to purchase tickets.

One of the most celebrated leaders of the last century; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is brought to life in this powerful and accessible production. Beginning with a brief overview of the Civil Rights Movement in America, the play soon shifts to explore the work, speeches, trials and tribulations of this heroic and empowering figure. In dedicating his life to justice and equal rights, Dr. King became the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Prize for Peace, was named the Time Magazine Man of the Year for 1963 and brought about dramatic shifts in the American way of life through peaceful ways–without being a bully or fighting back…This production is truly a celebration of the legacy and work of one of America’s greatest figures!

Demand for The Life of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. has resulted in us expanding the original run of the show through April 3rd. This empowering 50 minute production brings to life the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King and a number of other influential figures in his life and work.

mlkstory.jpgThis production is being designed to be accessible enough for 3rd graders and yet appreciated by adult audiences as well. What’s more the production has an invitation for performances on February 14th at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati!

This production stars Aaron Scott from the Orlando Shakespeare Festival–as Dr. King. Mr. Scott, is moving to New York City the day this tour ends to begin working as an Actor in the Big Apple. Joining Aaron is Chelsea Cipolla, a graduate of Emerson College and professional actress based in Boston, Mass.

10:30 AM Heritage Arts for Youth Performance (Students $5; chaperons & teachers admitted free with group)
7:00 PM Open to families and general public (Adults $8; Students $5)

Sponsored by the North Carolina Arts Council and Durham Arts Council.

Filed under: Events,Programs

Blues in the Schools- September 15-18

scotternie2.jpgThe Blues In The Schools (BITS) program is a one-week residency in which noted blues professionals conduct lecture- demonstrations and performances for a variety of audiences, public education programs K-12, after school programs and private, charter and home school programs. The focus of the residency is to educate and enlighten our youth and community on the Blues and the Piedmont style, known to have been developed and performed in the Durham and cities across North Carolina.

The goals of the Blues in the School program are:

  • Share the Blues with children. Change any preconceived ideas of what the Blues are about and spark an interest in the music.
  • Promote cultural awareness through self-awareness.
  • Broaden the historical prospective of how Blues relates to rock music and other modern music.
  • Focus on blues music as a part of American culture and acquire a better understand of the African–American heritage.

The strategic mission and goals of the Blues in the Schools programming intertwine with the mission of the Festival thus creating a wholesome program plan. As a promoter of the blues it is only proper and a fitting evolution of cultural programming that the Blues in the Schools programs be integrated into the yearly program mission of the Foundation.

MISSION: The Bull Durham Blues Festival is a program of the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. produced to serve multiple purposes; to provide an increased awareness and appreciation for the BLUES as a unique African American art form that is reflective of the African American experience; and for Durham’s rich musical heritage in the BLUES, particularly as a showplace for the Piedmont/Carolina blues styles made popular in this part of the southeast; and to provide financial resources.

Goals:

  • To enhance the local audience, particularly within the African American communities in the region, for the Blues which is often more popular overseas that in the United States.
  • To become a national showcase for the finest in contemporary and traditional blues artists from North Carolina and the rest of the United States.
  • To provide educational outreach programs for the community in particular the youth of the community to become knowledgeable of the rich heritage of Blues music.

scotternie1.jpgThe BITS program has been designed for middle and high school students. Students who are currently enrolled in music appreciation class will be engaged in the lecture demonstration portion of the residency. School assembly format are encouraged. It is estimated that over 3,500 youth will be engaged in the residency during the week activities.

The BITS Program, which will take place September 15-18, 2008, will feature blues artists Scott Ainslie and Ernie Hawkins and the MSG Acoustic Trio. Additional local blues artists will participate in the residency so that the Foundation can reach a large audience specifically in the public school setting. These artists will be selected in collaboration with the Triangle Blues Society.

In Actin“ Up, Scott Ainslie and Ernie Hawkins bring Delta and Ragtime Blues to the stage in a spirited tour of hot ragtime instrumentals, passionate singing, slide guitar, stories and songs. Lifelong students of Ragtime-Piedmont Blues and Mississippi Delta Blues, Hawkins and Ainslie bring more than seven decades of experience with them to the stage. Their long apprenticeships with known and unknown traditional players from all around the country have lined their pockets with music, personal anecdotes, and history riches that we hear jingle as they tap their feet.

Ernie Hawkins has been called ’an important link in the unbroken chain of Blues and Gospel artists. In 1965, at the age of eighteen, he moved to New York City to find Rev. Gary Davis. A generous and inspired player and teacher, Ernie has five solo recordings. He also has instructional video/DVDs on the music of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Blind Willie McTell, Mance Lipscomb, Reverend Gary Davis, and on guitar theory. He has been featured in SingOUT!, Acoustic Guitar and Dirty Linen magazines, and has appeared on “A Prairie Home Companion”, “Mountain Stage”, “Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour”, and XM Radio.

Scott Ainslie took up guitar after hearing Virginia Bluesman (and gravedigger) John Jackson in 1967. With deep roots in Appalachian as well as traditional Gospel and Blues music, Scott has one recording of old-time fiddle and banjo music, and four CDs of Delta and Piedmont Blues, and literally �wrote the book” on the music of Mississippi Blues legend Robert Johnson. Ainslie has a teaching DVD on Johnson’s music as well. Ainslie has provided music for video and film, and has numerous grants and awards for performing and preserving traditional music.

Schedule TBA.

Filed under: Presentations,Programs