Introducing... the new Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute
This is not the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. Not anymore.
It's the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute!
The new Institute -- LHPAI for short -- is now part of Seattle's Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, and closely aligned to the office's mission "to keep artists living, working and growing in Seattle."
I think the Institute is a lot like other major attractions: the locals know it's there, but until someone from outside the neighborhood looks at it with new eyes, the attraction is sometimes overlooked.
And for a while it may have been easy to overlook -- a two-year seismic and electrical renovation closed its landmark building to the public completely.
Performances and programs continued at other locations, but it's always more fun to see a performance inside the institute that created it.
Now the institute houses a contemporary ballet company-in-residence -- Inception Dance...
... it hosts inclusive programs like the Out There Poetry Camp for gay teens...
... and most of all, African and diaspora-related performances year-round. Guess what you can sign up for this winter:
FTC disclosure: I'm partnering with the LHPAI on a series I call "Thursdays with LHPAI," generally published on Thursdays. I am being paid an honorarium for my work. However, all opinions and views expressed in this series are my own.
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| Building photo credits: Joe Mabel |
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| Credit: Andrew Ness Photography |
Now the institute houses a contemporary ballet company-in-residence -- Inception Dance...
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| Credit: Andrew Ness Photography |
- Winter Academy classes for teens and younger kids that teach acting, voice and other performing skills
- classes for adults in dance, African drumming, writing and other areas of interest
FTC disclosure: I'm partnering with the LHPAI on a series I call "Thursdays with LHPAI," generally published on Thursdays. I am being paid an honorarium for my work. However, all opinions and views expressed in this series are my own.
Artist Motherboard on Pinterest: 212 in 2012
How about that: at the end of 2012... 212 people are following the Artist Motherboard!
You remember the Artist Motherboard: a spot on Pinterest specifically for artists who are also mothers, to encourage each other by sharing their inspirations and creations.
In November 2012 it was just a wee thing known to only six people besides me: Aimee Dolich, Nancy O, Emily Cline, Catherine Witherell and Jill K. Berry. Now 26 artists contribute art, ideas and encouragement!
Here's what some of the contributors are up to:
And I'm planning my first solo art exhibit for May 2013! Next week, I'll give you a peek at a new artwork that will be in my show. Hint hint: it's one that was a work-in-progress pin on the Motherboard.
If you're an artist and a mother, join us -- leave a comment on one of the Artist Motherboard pins so we know how to find you!
- Leah Piken Kolidas' art brings some light to survivors of the Sandy Hook school shootings
- Rachel Awes' inspiring book is out -- endorsed by SARK and Kelly Rae Roberts (!)
- Liv Lane shines a limelight on creative people starting January 7, and on January 21st she helps you build social media buzz
- Aimee helped Jill launch Jill's awesome line of stencils to
hoarduse in your art - Susie Lubell offers comfort to those
crazybrave enough to take their kids on an international flight - Catherine takes a look back on a year and a half of Texture Tuesdays
And I'm planning my first solo art exhibit for May 2013! Next week, I'll give you a peek at a new artwork that will be in my show. Hint hint: it's one that was a work-in-progress pin on the Motherboard.
If you're an artist and a mother, join us -- leave a comment on one of the Artist Motherboard pins so we know how to find you!
Thursday with LHPAC: Hip-hop (class) hooray!
Hip-hop HOORAY!
HO!
HEY!
HO!
-- Naughty by Nature, "Hip Hop Hooray," 1993
Okay, enough time spent in the Way-Back Machine. Let's go back to the future of hip-hop: a weekly dance class for kids at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center.
Every Thursday evening, kids ages six to twelve can take lessons from Simon Komphadith, Kohei Takahira and Anna Nagy.
Some kids, like Aiyanah (the one in the pink hoodie above) found their way to this class the easy way: they saw the sign...
... and stayed for more. Like Aiyanah, Chloe and her brother Ethan (below) also plan to come back in the following weeks now that their mom's found a gender-neutral activity both kids like.
But not all the young dancers live in the LHPAC neighborhood.
Eleven-year-old Xzavier and his mom make the half-hour trip from Mill Creek to Seattle -- specifically for this class. Details:
WHEN: Tonight and every Thursday night, 5:30pm-8:30pm
WHERE: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, Seattle
COST: Free!
MORE INFO: LHPAC event calendar
Break out the breathable clothes -- the kids will be working hard! But they're having fun waving their hands (and feet) in the air.
FTC disclosure: I'm partnering with the LHPAC on a series I call "Thursdays with LHPAC," generally published on Thursdays. I am being paid an honorarium for my work. However, all opinions and views expressed in this series are my own.
HO!
HEY!
HO!
-- Naughty by Nature, "Hip Hop Hooray," 1993
Okay, enough time spent in the Way-Back Machine. Let's go back to the future of hip-hop: a weekly dance class for kids at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center.
WHEN: Tonight and every Thursday night, 5:30pm-8:30pm
WHERE: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, Seattle
COST: Free!
MORE INFO: LHPAC event calendar
Break out the breathable clothes -- the kids will be working hard! But they're having fun waving their hands (and feet) in the air.
FTC disclosure: I'm partnering with the LHPAC on a series I call "Thursdays with LHPAC," generally published on Thursdays. I am being paid an honorarium for my work. However, all opinions and views expressed in this series are my own.