January-February 2015 Happenings

JAN-FEB

2015

A&E Launches 2015 Campaign: One Gift. A Million Returns! (pg. 3)

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

A&E Grantee, Springboard, provides resources to Ferguson students (pg.5)

Get great deals with the Know and Go Discount Calendar (pg. 6-7)

Circus Harmony spreads peace and unity with trip to Israel (pg. 8)

Meet A&E Donor Althelia Powell-Thomas (pg. 9)

Letter from the President Dear Friends, Centene Center for Arts and Education 3547 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103-1014 p 314.289.4000 f 314.289.4019

2014 Board of Directors CHAIR Terrance J. Good VICE CHAIR Leonard T. Eschbach SECRETARY Peter Sargent TREASURER Kristin J. Guehlstorf (Chair, Finance) DEVELOPMENT Ruth Saphian FACILITIES Eric Koestner GOVERNANCE Michael W. Weisbrod GRANTS Nicole Hudson MARKETING Charla M. Claypool SPECIAL EVENTS Dorte Probstein STRATEGIC PLANNING Cary D. Hobbs

MEMBERS AT LARGE Barbara B. Goodman Kenneth Kranzberg MEMBERS Nora Akerberg Tricia Bentley-Beal Mark Bernstein Susan Block Chris Cedergreen Donald R. Fox John Gianoulakis Lissa Hollenbeck C. Brendan Johnson Jack Lane Linda Lee Linda Leonard Lisa Melandri Janet W. Newcomb Paul K. Reuter Shawn Schukar Donald M. Senti Mary Ann Srenco Susan A. Stith Marc C. Thayer Andrew Trivers Carol J. Voss Caren Vredenburgh EX-OFFICIO Cynthia A. Prost

Staff PRESIDENT Cynthia A. Prost VICE PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATION & GRANTS Susan Rowe Jennings VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT Kate Francis CONTROLLER Joseph Soer DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION Patricia Tichacek

DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS Heather Edwards Dorothy Powell GIFT PROCESSING ASSOCIATE Mandi Hanway COMMUNICATIONS CONTENT EDITOR Ellen Futterman

Happy New Year! A new year brings new endeavors, not the least of which is a new twist on the annual Arts and Education Council’s Workplace Giving Campaign: One Gift. A Million Returns! We chose this slogan because it so aptly highlights how your gift to A&E literally grows, like branches on a tree, into millions of art experiences, making a vibrant community for all. Think about it for a minute: Whatever amount you choose to donate — $50, $100, $1,000 or more — touches so many lives in our community because A&E uses your dollars to support nearly 70 arts and arts education organizations throughout the St. Louis bi-state region. So when you consider the number of individuals these organizations impact, we’re talking hundreds of thousands of people and millions of art experiences.

To further illustrate the importance of your gift, we will be featuring stories in Happenings throughout the year about individuals who have been impacted by an A&E grant and have in return helped others. The first of these profiles in this issue introduces you to 88-year-old Elizabeth Herring, and the amazing volunteer work she does through Prison Performing Arts, one of A&E’s many grantees.

In the past couple of months, as we have witnessed civil unrest in our community, we have also seen the local arts community come together to show support for those most impacted. Grantees like Springboard and the St. Louis Symphony have responded by providing support and resources to the people of Ferguson.

Hundreds of artists have taken part in the Paint for Peace project, painting over the boarded up windows to brighten our community as it picks up the pieces.

In November, A&E was able to host students from the Normandy and FergusonFlorissant School Districts to meet the cast of Motown the Musical. It was a joyous and uplifting event — illustrating how the arts can bring us together.

All my best,

Cynthia A. Prost President, Arts & Education Council P.S. There is still time to get your 2015 St. Louis Arts Awards tickets! (January 19 at the Chase Park Plaza) See page 10 for a profile of this year’s emcee Ben Nordstrom, and call 314.289.4003 for tickets or information.

Ferguson-Florissant and Normandy Students Meet the Cast of Motown the Musical

SOCIAL AND DIGITAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Christine Blonn PROJECT MANAGER Kelly Weber

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Marcia Quint

stlouis.bbb.org

On the Cover: The 2015 Workplace Giving Campaign art (see page 3 for more details).

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The Arts and Education Council hosted students from Ferguson-Florissant and Normandy School Districts for a meet and greet with the cast of Motown the Musical following a performance of the show at the Fox Theatre.

2015 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN:

One Gift. A Million Returns!

T

he Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis (A&E) is proud to announce its 2015

Campaign, “One Gift. A Million Returns!” The campaign and the beautiful tree are meant to illustrate — literally and figuratively — the impact every gift to A&E makes and how each gifts grows into countless art experiences for people throughout our region.

The Arts and Education Council is a unique asset to our community as the area’s only privately supported united arts fund. (A&E does not receive government, Zoo-Museum District (ZMD) or hotel/motel tax proceeds.)

Individuals, corporations, and foundations that contribute to A&E are committed to the value and benefit of the arts to our community.

Each gift to the Arts and Education Council contributes to impactful grants and programs that support nearly 70 arts organizations (grantees). In addition to direct funding, A&E remains deeply committed to offering professional development, convening and collaboration opportunities to arts organizations that allow these institutions to improve and expand their performances, exhibits and activities.

In addition to supporting the production and presentation of great art, contributions to A&E also help grant-

KeepArtHappening.org

ees grow arts education and outreach programming for K-12 students throughout the bi-state region. Research continues to show that children who participate in the arts enjoy greater academic success, higher self-esteem, improved discipline and elevated graduation rates. Beyond success in

life. This edition of Happenings tells

Powell-Thomas’s leadership in

school, participation in the arts also

just a few — from Springboard’s work

workplace giving and singing with

builds creative and analytical thinking

in the wake of civil unrest in Ferguson,

IN UNISON ® Chorus.

skills necessary for advancement in

to Elizabeth Herring teaching the life

One Gift. A Million Returns.

the world beyond school.

skills that ballet offers to incarcerated

You can make your gift today at

young women, to Circus Harmony’s

KeepArtHappening.org.

There are millions of stories to be told about how art impacts a person’s

peace-making trip to Isreal, to Althelia

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ARTS VOLUNTEER:

Elizabeth Herring

T

hey enter the large, multi-purpose room at the St. Louis City Juvenile Detention Center dressed in yellow sweatshirts and matching pants, wearing tentative looks on their faces. It’s unclear what these four African-American young women, all teenagers, have done to land in detention, but each will stay here until her court date. In the meantime, there is schoolwork to be done, appointments with counselors and ballet class with Miss Elizabeth.

For the past decade, Elizabeth “Bunny” Herring, who is 88 years-old, has been volunteering with Prison Performing Arts (PPA), a non-profit that involves incarcerated youth and adults in the performing arts to enhance intellectual and personal development. PPA is the recipient of a PNC Project Grant from the Arts and Education Council and a tenant in the Centene Center for Arts and Education.

Herring has been teaching the weekly ballet class through PPA for the last three years. “I really love being with the girls. It’s the most fulfilling work I know,” she says before her 45-minute class. “It’s really not about them becoming dancers. Many of them have been abused and have a diminished sense of self. Through ballet, they can take ownership of their bodies, be proud of themselves and carry their heads high.”

On this Friday afternoon, Herring first shows the girls a video performed

by Dance Theatre of Harlem, which was in town in November 2014 through Dance St. Louis, another A&E grantee.

She then leads them to a makeshift ballet barre to take them through the paces — first position, second position and so on, all the time checking their posture and form. After, she challenges each to make up a few steps of her own.

The tentative look returns to their faces, but eventually they succumb. In fact, they seem to enjoy waving their arms midair and moving their legs across the floor. As they dance, Herring provides positive feedback.

“Volunteering with Prison Performing Arts is the most fulfilling work,” says Herring. “I see wonderful results as to 4

Elizabeth Herring teaching ballet at the St. Louis Detention Center

how performing arts can change people for the better. It helps them to get in touch with their creative side and blossom. It’s a very, very wonderful thing.”

Rachel Tibbetts, director of education at PPA, explains that ballet is just one of several arts programs in the organization’s Learning Through the Arts initiative, where local artists mentor youth at the city detention center in music, dance, opera and theater.

“The young people get to work with professional teachers and performers, which really helps them learn through the arts,” says Tibbetts. Other PPA youth programs include the “Hip Hop Poetry Project,” which provides intensive performance arts programming during public school breaks at the detention center. The goal is to have each youngster spend every day of the project in classes, workshops and creative activities; it culminates with a student poetry performance.”

Before ballet, Herring taught poetry to at-risk youth and shared the stage with convicts in other PPA programs.

She also tutors at the detention center.

Dance, though, is a natural for Herring, who tries never to miss her weekly trapeze class at the City Museum with Circus Harmony, still another A&E PNC Project Grant recipient.

“I decided I would do a trapeze act to celebrate my 80th birthday,” said Herring, a stunning wisp of a woman who moves with grace. “Pushing yourself to stay fit and doing things to help others, why that’s the greatest thing you can do in your life, especially in old age.”

Herring grew up in St. Louis, attended Mary Institute and an East

Coast boarding school, and then studied ballet at the American School of Ballet in New York City. The plan was for her to dance professionally, that is, until Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus came calling.

“They were looking to recruit professional dancers and I had always loved the circus,” Herring recalled.

“There were many girls who tried out. I auditioned and was one of 60 who were hired as dancers.

“That was terribly disappointing to my father,” she continued. “He wanted me to go to Vassar and marry someone from Yale.”

Herring spent three years as an elephant and horse rider under the big top. She left to marry Skyler “Swede” Herring, a cowboy whom she met while on a family vacation out West.

The two moved back to a farm in Pike County, Mo., had four children, lost one, and were married for more than 50 years — Swede passed away in 2005. Today, Herring has five grandchildren, all of whom, most likely, think she is the hippest grandma around.

Let’s face it, how many grannies do you know who received their bachelor’s and master’s degrees after the age of 60, hang by their knees and ankles from a trapeze, sport several tattoos and have written a book about their life?

Then again, that’s part of what makes Herring so dynamic and relatable. She doesn’t believe in the word “can’t” as the girls in detention have come to find out.

“Oh yeah, Miss Elizabeth is cool,” says one. “Her class beats playing cards upstairs and pretty much anything else.”

GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT:

Springboard

W

hen the Ferguson-Florissant School District postponed the start of school this summer following community unrest, Springboard St. Louis — an Arts and Education Council grantee — sprang into action.

The Ferguson Public Library and neighboring First Baptist Church offered to house and supervise students while parents were at work. Along with teachers and parents from Ferguson and neighboring school districts, Springboard provided more than 20 teaching artists to help organize activities for the children.

“We put out a call through our network to teaching partners/artists and they responded in great numbers,” said Cathy Hartmann, executive director of Springboard. “We provided educational programs that engaged the kids and stimulated learning, which is what we do.”

Springboard provides educational resources to develop children’s critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communications skills through the arts, sciences and humanities.

Through residencies, workshops and performances, Springboard’s teaching artists bring innovative programming to approximately 140 St. Louis area schools and community venues impacting more than 44,000 children annually.

One such program includes collaboration with the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (also an A&E grantee) called “WiseWrite.”

Fifth grade students from area elementary schools write their own plays over the course of the school year. At the end of the year, 15 plays are chosen and then performed by professional actors at the Loretto-Hilton Center Mainstage.

“Springboard teaching partners/artists go into the classroom a couple of times a week,” says Hartmann. “The children go through the process of creating an idea, developing the concept and characters, writing the play and getting it published in playbook format.

“Some of the kids get to see their play go from an idea in their head to being produced on a live stage,” she continues. “And for the ones whose plays are not selected, theirs are done as reader’s theater in the classroom.”

Hartmann said granting organizations such as the Arts and Education Council are critical to the health and growth of non-profits such as Springboard.

“We [do not] have revenue streams such as classes where students pay to participate or performances where money comes from ticket sales,” she said. “Not having that [revenue] makes our partnership with organizations such as A&E that much more critical.”

To learn more, visit KeepArtHappening.org.

Students participating in the WiseWrite program

NEW GRANTS ANNOUNCED:

Maritz and A&E Partnership Funds Arts Education in Schools

F

or the past five years, the Arts and Education Council and Maritz have partnered to create a unique arts education funding opportunity that directly impacts schools and school-aged children. The award-winning “Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers” provides $25,000 in grants annually to projects throughout the bi-state area. The program goal is to support classroom-based projects and artistic opportunities that engage students in the creative process.

The 2014/2015 grant recipients are: Central Visual Performing Arts High School, St. Louis, Mo. – Drum Line.

Q

Q Clark-Vitt Elementary School, Union, Mo. – Project Green Screen.

Q Fort Zumwalt North Middle School Special Education, O’Fallon, Mo. – This Year We Will Travel the World.

Q Katie Harper-Wright Elementary School, East St. Louis, Ill. – Peace & Edutainment.

Q McCluer High School, Florissant, Mo. – Hairspray, the Musical.

Q Normandy Schools Collaborative, St. Louis, Mo. – Operation Elementary Piano Lab. Q Oakville Middle School, St. Louis, Mo. – Scientific Investigations Within a Visual Arts Environment: Eco-Printing with Plant Fiber on Paper.

Q Scope Alternative School, St. Louis, Mo. – Art & Gardening as Therapy.

For more information on the Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers including detailed project descriptions, visit KeepArtHappening.org/money/maritz_2015.

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DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card Mirette is an imaginative, musical adaptation of the award-winning children’s book, set in late 19th century Paris. 314.561.4877 or cocastl.org

JAN-FEB

2015

SAINT LOUIS CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY Spanish Guitarist Angel Romero in Recital

*2-FOR-1 & SPECIAL DISCOUNTS Please present your Arts and Education Council ARTS Card at the ticket counter or box office in order to receive a discount. The 2-for-1 offer is for two people per card; whether it extends to more than two persons is at the discretion of the participating organization. ARTS Card holder discounts are not recognized by electronic ticket outlets and may not be used to purchase subscription tickets. Expired ARTS Cards will not be accepted. For up-to-theminute calendar additions, see the calendar on our website: KeepArtHappening.org/schedule.

WHEN: Jan 24, Sat, 7:30 pm WHERE: Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis COST: $26-$30 DISCOUNT: $4 off with ARTS Card

ON - GOIN G D I SCOUNTS W I TH T H E ARTS CA RD

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for Sun, Jan 18, 3 pm performance only (excludes box seats)

JAZZ ST. LOUIS offers 2-for-1 admission to most of its 9:30 pm shows Wed-Thurs. For details call 314.571.6000 or go to jazzstl.org

Hailed for music-making of tremendous emotion, Richard Goode joins the orchestra for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17, while David Robertson leads Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony, a work foreshadowing the work of Beethoven.

314.534.1700 or stlsymphony.org

JA NUA RY E VE NTS REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner WHEN: Jan 7-Feb 1; Tues, 7 pm; Wed-Fri, 8 pm; selected Wed, 1:30 pm; Sat, 5 pm; Sun, 2 pm & selected 7 pm WHERE: Browning Mainstage at the LorettoHilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves

NEW JEWISH THEATRE Imagining Madoff

WHERE: Wool Studio Theatre at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Dr., Creve Coeur COST: $38-$42 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 with ARTS Card

A new adaptation of the award-winning film explores family and acceptance and asks which has the greater hold on our hearts. 314.968.4925 or repstl.org

A moral investigation set as an imaginary conversation between convicted Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff and a righteous Holocaust survivor and poet. 314.442.3283 or newjewishtheatre.org

Perpetual Motion WHEN: Jan 10-11; Sat, 2 & 5 pm; Sun, 1 & 4 pm

WHERE: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis

WHERE: 524 Trinity Ave., University City

COST: $30-$109

COST: $14-$18

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for Fri, Jan 23, 8 pm performance only (excludes box seats)

The New Year kicks off with this high-energy dance concert featuring the talented members of COCAdance and the COCA Hip-Hop Crew performing a mix of cutting-edge hip-hop and contemporary dance in a wide range of styles.

For all ages. 314.561.4877 or cocastl.org

The STL Symphony and Chorus join forces for the first subscription performance of Beethoven’s glorious Mass in C. Paired with his lighthearted Symphony No. 8, this all-Beethoven program warms your spirit. 314.534.1700 or stlsymphony.org

COCA THEATRE COMPANY

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY WHEN: Jan 17-18; Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 3 pm WHERE: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis

WHERE: 524 Trinity Ave., University City

COST: $30-$109

COST: $9

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Cinema

Classical

St. Louis Symphony principal percussionist Will James is joined by pianist Peter Henderson and other members of the St. Louis Symphony for music inspired by the rhythms and sounds of Africa. 314.533.9900 or sheldonconcerthall.org

Dance

WHEN: Jan 30-31; Fri, 10:30 am & 8 pm; Sat, 8 pm WHERE: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis COST: $30-$109 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for Fri, Jan 30, 8 pm performance only (excludes box seats) Johann Sebastian Bach and family are highlighted in this program led by St. Louis audience favorite Nicholas McGegan, featuring seven of the St. Louis Symphony’s own musicians.

314.534.1700 or stlsymphony.org

DANCE ST. LOUIS Tango Buenos Aires WHERE: Touhill Performing Arts Center, One University Blvd., St. Louis

WHEN: Jan 23-25; Fri, 7 pm, Sat, 2 & 5 pm, Sun, 1 pm

Events Key

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card on full price tickets only (Tickets are available by presenting the card in advance at the Fox Theatre Box office at 531 N. Grand, or on the night of show at The Sheldon Box Office between 7-8 pm)

WHEN: Jan 30-31; Fri, 8 pm; Sat, 2 & 8 pm

Mirette

Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony

WHERE: Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis

All Bach

WHEN: Jan 23-24; Fri, 8 pm; Sat, 8 pm

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for 2 pm show only

WHEN: Jan 28; Wed, 8 pm

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY Beethoven Mass in C major

COCA PRESENTS

SHELDON CONCERT HALL Sheldon Classics: Africa

COST: $30 orchestra, $25 balcony

WHEN: Jan 22-Feb 8, Wed-Thurs, 7:30 pm; Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 2 pm & first Sun, 7:30 pm

COST: $17.50-$79.50 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card Jan 7-18

Spanish Guitarist Angel Romero in a rare solo recital of music by Sanz, Mudarra, Scarlatti, Sor, Granados, Albeniz and Tarrega. 314.229.8686 or guitarstlouis.net

Jazz

Music

COST: $40-$65, matinees are $40

Speaker

Theater

Visual Arts

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for any performance (parterre sides or grand tier seating only. Limit 2 complimentary tickets. Offer not valid with any other offer or on previously purchased tickets. No exchanges or refunds.) Offer expires at 3 pm on 1/30/15.

A passionate, expressive journey of the life of Eva Perón through dance and music. 314.534.6622 or dancestlouis.org

F EB R UA RY E VE N TS THE BLACK REP Stick Fly WHEN: Feb 4-22; Wed-Thurs, 7 pm; Fri-Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 3 pm WHERE: Emerson Performance Center at Harris-Stowe University COST: $25-$45 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card A wealthy African-American family gathers in Martha’s Vineyard for a few super-charged days, and the results are gasp-worthy revelations.

314.534.3810 or theblackrep.org

French conductor Stéphan Denève leads Debussy’s sensuous Afternoon of a Faun and Dvoˇrák’s Symphony No. 8, a work that brings the sounds and folk melodies of the Bohemian countryside to life. 314.534.1700 or stlsymphony. org

REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS The Winslow Boy WHEN: Feb 11-March 8; Tues, 7 pm; Wed-Fri, 8 pm; selected Wed, 1:30 pm; Sat, 5 pm; Sun, 2 pm & selected 7 pm WHERE: Browning Mainstage at the Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Road, Webster Groves COST: $17.50-$79.50 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card Feb 11-22 When young Ronnie Winslow is expelled from military school for stealing a five-shilling postal order, his father wages an exhaustive fight to clear his son’s name. What begins as a private matter quickly becomes a larger question of the rights of the individual against the power of the state. 314.968.4925 or repstl.org

COCA PRESENTS Continuing the Legacy

COCAbiz

WHERE: 524 Trinity Ave., University City

bizSESSION Speaker, Dave Gray: Principles Of Agility

COST: $10-$14

WHEN: Feb 19; Thurs, 7:30 am

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for 5 pm show only

WHERE: 524 Trinity Ave., University City

WHEN: Feb 6-7; Fri, 7 pm; Sat, 5 pm

Written and directed by COCA alumnus Christopher Page, Continuing the Legacy uses dance as a vehicle to take audience members through black history – from slavery to the jazz era, through the civil rights movement, to modern times. Includes imagery that may be disturbing to young children and is recommended for ages 10 and up. 314.561.4877 or cocastl.org

MUSTARD SEED THEATRE White to Gray WHEN: Feb 6-22; Thurs-Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 2 pm WHERE: Fontbonne University Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd., Clayton COST: $30, $25 for students and seniors DISCOUNT: $10 off with ARTS Card (enter promo code artscard) Love or Loyalty? This romance between a Caucasian man and Japanese-American woman comes under attack when bombs drop on Pearl Harbor. 314.719.8060 or mustardseedtheatre.com

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY Dvoˇrák 8 WHEN: Feb 7-8; Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 3 pm

COST: $55

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for Sun, Feb 8, 3 pm performance only (excludes box seats)

COST: $20 orchestra, $15 balcony DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card on full price tickets only (Tickets are available by presenting the card in advance at the Fox Theatre Box office at 531 N. Grand, or on the night of show at The Sheldon Box Office between 7-8 pm) Beautiful and imaginative works by Debussy, 20th century composer Toru Takemitsu, and top composers of today - Bright Sheng and Tan Dun. 314.533.9900 or sheldonconcerthall.org

DANCE ST. LOUIS Aspen Santa Fe Ballet WHEN: Feb 27-28; Fri, 8 pm; Sat, 7 pm WHERE: Touhill Performing Arts Center, One University Blvd., St. Louis COST: $30-$55 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for opening night only (parterre sides or grand tier seating only. Limit 2 complimentary tickets. Offer not valid with any other offer or on previously purchased tickets. No exchanges or refunds.) Offer expires at 3 pm on 2/27/15.

Contemporary ballet with a European twist: the top-flight dancers of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet combine rugged athleticism with liquid grace.

314.534.6622 or dancestlouis.org

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY

DISCOUNT: $15 off with ARTS Card

Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto

Dave Gray is the founder of the design consultancy XPLANE and author of two bestselling books Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers and The Connected Company. His current project is Boardthing, which is quickly evolving into an elegant, easy-to-use collaboration/visual thinking tool. Gray’s upcoming book, Principles of Agility, looks at how agility contributes to success in complex and uncertain environments.

314.561.4898 or cocastl.org

WHEN: Feb 27-March 1; Fri, 8 pm; Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 3 pm

COCA PRESENTS Walking the Tightrope WHEN: Feb 21-22; Sat, 2 & 5 pm; Sun, 1 & 4 pm WHERE: 524 Trinity Ave., University City COST: $14-$18 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for 2 pm show only Written by Mike Kenny, one of England’s leading writers for young audiences, Walking the Tightrope is the creative and moving story of a grandfather and granddaughter who must redefine their relationship after Grandma leaves to “join the circus.” 314.561.4877 or cocastl.org

WHERE: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis COST: $30-$109

WHERE: Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis

SHELDON CONCERT HALL

WHERE: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis COST: $30-$109 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card for Fri, Feb 27, 8 pm and Sun, Mar 1, 3 pm performances only (excludes box seats) Violinist Augustin Hadelich returns to performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, a tour-deforce that will dazzle with its sizzling technical displays and tender melodies. 314.534.1700 or stlsymphony.org

SAINT LOUIS CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY Martha Masters, classical guitar WHEN: Feb 28, Sat, 8 pm WHERE: Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Rd., Ladue COST: $24-$28 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card Classical Guitar Performance by one of the world’s finest young guitarists in her St. Louis debut. 314.229.8686 or guitarstlouis.net

Sheldon Classics: Asia WHEN: Feb 25; Wed, 8 pm 7

POWER2GIVE.ORG/GREATERSTLOUIS SUCCESS STORY:

The St. Louis Arches in Israel

I

n the fall of 2013, Circus Harmony, an Arts and Education Council PNC Project Grant recipient, was one of the first organizations to utilize A&E’s new crowdfunding website,

power2give.org. The “Peace Through Pyramids: Send the St. Louis Arches to Israel,” project was a collaboration between Circus Harmony and the Galilee Foundation for Value Education’s “Galilee Circus.” Since 2007, the Galilee Arches, as the combined group is called, have forged lasting friendships despite language barriers and cultural gulfs. The power2give.org project helped raise the necessary funds to send the St. Louis Arches to Israel to perform.

A group of kids and teens left St. Louis for northern Israel on July 9, 2014, just a day after Hamas began bombing the nation. Despite fears from some people, Circus Harmony reached out to people in the area who assured them the part of the nation they would be staying in was safe. While in Israel, Circus Harmony teamed up with the Galilee Circus to perform shows for local people. During their time abroad,

St. Louis Arches performing in Israel

the children stayed with families in the area, some Jews with Arabs and vice versa, exemplifying that despite the conflict in the region, the two groups can peacefully coexist. The

Circus Harmony needed additional funds to cover musicians’

troupe of 27 children performed for two weeks in various

sessions fees, duplication costs, songwriter and producer

locations in front of diverse audiences. However, just as the

fees and money for supplies. Portions of the proceeds from

trip started with excitement, it also ended with a bang. The

the sale of the CD will benefit Circus Harmony’s Reggie

night before Circus Harmony was supposed to return to St.

Moore Memorial Scholarship Fund, which helps young peo-

Louis, the FAA cancelled all flights from Israel to the United

ple follow their dreams of being in the circus.

States. The Israelis who had opened their homes to the children welcomed them back and people donated food to feed the troupe. The group ended up staying in Israel for another week, and even got in a few extra performances.

Rabbi Marc Rosenstein, founder of the Galilee Circus, wrote about the collaboration in his online Galilee Diary in a post entitled The Show Must Go On. He wrote, in part, “these young circus artists did what circus artists do: they worked

Did you know that power2give.org is the only crowd-

hard, learned together and from each other, and performed

funding site dedicated to arts and culture? Since its

with all their hearts, for a variety of audiences, Arab and

launch in 2011 by the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte,

Jewish, through two weeks of conflict. Black and white,

NC, power2give.org has raised over $7 million in aggre-

Jewish and Arab, boys and girls — 27 kids building a temporary

gate funds across 2,700 projects in 24 different cities.

utopia of mutual trust, of multicultural friendship, of taking

In today’s changing philanthropic landscape, power-

risks to make people smile — in a dystopian reality of fear and

2give.org has become a powerful new fundraising tool.

hatred of the Other. And they made it look easy...So yes, we

Locally, power2give.org/GreaterStLouis launched in

have to keep on defying gravity, in order to remind ourselves

November 2013 with the support of the Arthur and Helen

— and the world — that what seems impossible — is not.”

Baer Foundation and has since raised more than $132,000

In November 2014, Circus Harmony used power2give

and helped fund 42 local arts projects. Power2give.org

once more to raise money to help produce a CD of original

projects range from helping expand arts programs in

music called “Circus Harmony’s Ascension CD.” Ascension is

schools to providing a new theater floor to providing bus

a new recording by Adam Rugo and the Circus Harmony

transportation to a play to creating a virtual choir.

band. The CD is composed of many different music styles and is sure to fit a variety of tastes from rock to bohemian, classical to R&B. The recording for the CD is complete, but 8

Keep checking power2give.org/GreaterStLouis for weekly updates and new projects in need of your support.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT:

WH

Althelia Powell-Thomas

A

lthelia Powell-Thomas lives and works her passion. Few things in life give her greater joy than singing. “It’s always been something I loved,” she says in a voice that is soothing and smooth. “It’s a family thing. I always sang in the church choir and still do. And I have been singing with the St. Louis Symphony’s IN UNISON ® Chorus since its inception in 1994.” IN UNISON ® is a mostly volunteer, 120-voice auditioned ensemble that performs a variety of musical styles, with a focus on the music of African-American and African cultures. The choir typically performs three or four times a year.

In addition to singing, PowellThomas has become a major cheerleader for the arts by heading up the Arts and Education Council’s Workplace Giving Campaign at the St. Louis Housing Authority, where she works as an administrative assistant in

YI

GIV

E

Althelia Powell-Thomas speaking at St. Louis Housing Authority’s 2014 Workplace Giving Campaign Kick Off.

the Human Resource Department.

She has worked at the agency for nearly 20 years and has been coordinating its Workplace Giving Campaign since 2003, raising almost $50,000 for the arts during that time.

“I like being the coordinator because it engages me not only with the fundraising aspects but also allows me to be one-on-one with each

employee,” she explains. “I tell them about the ARTS Card, which provides discounts to so many wonderful arts performances and events in town. I also encourage them to venture out to different arts groups so they can see what a difference their dollars are making.”

Powell-Thomas believes the arts are integral to building self-esteem, especially among young people. “I love to see people develop,” she says. “When I was a child growing up I made a vow to my mother that her investment in me would not go in vain. She always made sure I had the best of everything.

Music was on top of the list and in that aspect I feel I kept my promise.”

In these hard economic times, Powell-Thomas notes that getting employees to give has been challenging, but she is proud that the Housing Authority has been participating in a workplace giving campaign for A&E for 20 years, since 1994.

“I consider A&E like family,” she says.

“And I always work hard and try to do what’s best for my family. I want the money to go to enrich someone else’s life.”

RAISED VOICES:

IN UNISON® Chorus

T

he St. Louis Symphony is known for its tradition of stellar music at a great venue in Powell Hall. One key component to the Symphony family over the past 20 years has been the IN UNISON® Chorus. The Chorus, which was created for a one-time performance of Hannibal Peterson’s African Portraits in 1994, has become a 120 member, audition-only, mostly volunteer Chorus. Just like the Symphony, members perform on the stage of Powell Hall, but the group places an emphasis on performing traditionally African-American music and pieces from African culture.

The IN UNISON ® program first started with the goal of partnering with churches and community members to get more African Americans though the doors of Powell Hall. Each year, the Symphony offers discounted tickets to churches who are members of the program, and Symphony musicians make regular visits to churches taking part in the program. While most of the Chorus members are volunteers, a small number are part of the Symphony’s Young Artists Program, which provides scholarships for college students to further their music education, with a goal of having a greater presence in local colleges.

The Chorus, as told by its director Kevin McBeth, is made up of professional and amateur singers of all backgrounds and professions: lawyers, college students, professionals, doctors and homemakers are all represented. McBeth, appointed in January 2011, is in his fourth year as director of the Chorus.

“For 20 years, this Chorus has been a prominent part of the Symphony and the community,” says McBeth. “For a lot of reasons, and even more so now with the issues we’re facing

Althelia Powell-Thomas singing with the IN UNISON ® Chorus

in our city, having a group like this as part of the Symphony just speaks to the whole diversity of the city.”

The Chorus performs three concerts per year in December, February and April. But, it is most well-known for its annual concert in February, celebrating Black History Month. This year’s show takes place on Feb. 13, and features Grammy® Award winning singer Patti Austin in a program that will honor influential leaders who helped shape history.

“The Black History Month Concert is an annual tradition, and everything we do is pointing toward that history,” McBeth says of the February performance. “The concert has become a focal point of unity and love.”

This year’s concert also features a special piece by St. Louis composer and musician Adam Maness. Maness’ composition, Divides that Bind, is an eight minute ensemble piece which was originally written for the #HealFerguson concert in September 2014 .

For more information about IN UNISION® Chorus, visit stlsymphony.org.

The St. Louis Symphony is an Arts and Education Council grantee.

9

Lance Tilford

2015 ST. LOUIS ARTS AWARDS:

Meet the Emcee: Ben Nordstrom

B

e prepared to be dazzled, St. Louis. Ben Nordstrom is in the house!

Nordstrom, performer extraordi-

naire, will be the emcee of the 24th Annual St. Louis Arts Awards, which takes place Monday, January 19, in the Khorassan Ballroom at the Chase Park Plaza. This year’s gala will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 pm, followed by dinner and awards at 7 pm, with Nordstrom hosting the action.

“I’m very excited about the event because I’ve been at the awards a couple of times and know what a big deal the evening is,” says Nordstrom, 38. “I also think the mission of the Arts and Education Council is really cool — how it supports so many arts and arts education organizations in St. Louis.

I’m just hoping to add a little charm and entertainment value to what I

2015 St. Louis Arts Awards Performances: Brian Owens with members of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra The Life of King Henry the Fifth — William Shakespeare Prologue performed by Anderson Matthews Act 1, Scene 2 performed

by Jim Butz and Anderson Matthews

rical work. He is due to star in the next Mustard Seed Theatre production, “White to Gray,” February 6-22, followed by a featured role in the New Jewish Theatre’s “My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding,” May 7-31.

Denise Thimes, jazz vocalist

This comes after just completing a play at HotCity Theatre in December, a star

already know will be a great event.”

turn last summer in STAGES’ “How to

For those unfamiliar, Nordstrom is

Succeed in Business Without Really

an incredible talent — an actor who

In 2004, the Nordstroms moved

has starred in dramatic productions

back to St. Louis so that Kristen could

nationwide as well as in musical come-

take a job running the new Crate &

dies. He acts, he sings, he dances, he

Barrel store here. “I stumbled around

good directors are good directors

tells jokes — basically, he’s the whole

for a while doing commercial

regardless of what city you’re in and

package. He lives with his wife,

voiceovers and industrial videos, and

St. Louis has no shortage of both —

Kristen, the general manager at

then got really into the theater scene

there are a lot of extremely talented

STAGES St. Louis, and their 10-year-

here, which is fantastic,” he says.

people who have chosen to make this

old son, Sam, in Ballwin.

A few years ago, Kristen got another

Trying” and in the Muny’s “Billy Elliot.”

“Good acting is good acting and

city their home. And we’re much

call from Crate & Barrel, this time ask-

richer for it,” says Nordstrom. “What’s

Oklahoma, came to St. Louis to attend

ing her to come back to New York. So

also wonderful about St. Louis is how

Webster University’s Conservatory of

the family did, but after a couple of

close-knit the theater community is. I

Theatre Arts, which he graduated

years they moved back to St. Louis

know it sounds kind of cliché, but we

from in 1999. He met Kristen, a native

when Kristen got the job with

are like a family. There are some direc-

St. Louisan, when she was choreo-

STAGES. They’ve been back about 15

tors here I would drop anything for to

graphing a show at the Arrow Rock

months. “St. Louis is totally where we

be in a show of theirs.”

Lyceum Theatre during a summer

should be, we had built such a nice life

between school years – Nordstrom

here with family and friends,” says

sponsorships for the 2015 St. Louis

was performing in the show. At the

Nordstrom. “Luckily, we had hung

Arts Awards, please contact Kate

time though, she was living in New

onto our house when we went back to

Francis, A&E’s Vice President of

York. After college, he moved there to

New York so when we returned here,

Development, at 314.289.4003.

be with her and find work. “I had a

we could move right back in.”

Follow #STLArtsAwards on Twitter for

Nordstrom, who grew up in

great time and did plays around the

Since coming back, Nordstrom,

For information about tickets and

ongoing announcements or visit our

country as well as small productions in

who is the winner of two Kevin Kline

Facebook page at facebook.com/

New York,” he says.

Awards, has had no shortage of theat-

artsandeducation.

10

WORKPLACE GIVING SPOTLIGHT:

Education Campaign Chair: Dr. David Knes

D

r. David Knes, superintendent of the Valley Park School District, learned to appreciate the arts

and arts education early in life growing up with a dad who was an art teacher before he became a principal. So when Dr. Knes (pronounced KA-nay-z) was asked to become the 2015 Chair for the Arts & Education Council’s Education Division Workplace Giving Campaigns, he said yes for two reasons: “I did it because I know firsthand how important the arts are and I did it because I was asked,” he said. Monies raised from the Arts & Education Council’s annual Workplace Giving Campaign fund nearly 70 nonprofit arts and arts education organizations throughout the 16-county, bi-state region. “The arts present such a fantastic opportunity for students to get involved in school,” said Knes. “Everyone knows, research has proven, that the more students feel connected to school, the more successful their educational experience will be.”

After agreeing to become the 2015 Education Division Chair, Knes personally reached out to superintendents in school districts throughout St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln and Franklin counties, asking them to get involved in workplace giving. He underlined to them not only the value of arts education but also how painless it is for teachers, faculty and administrators to give to the Arts and Education Council.

“We try to show our staff how easy it is to give through payroll deduction or by using their credit card,” he said.

“For example, they can spread their gift over 24 weeks through payroll deduction and they won’t even realize anything is being taken out of their check.”

Knes said another way to motivate staff to give is by offering awards if they donate. “We have a drawing every day through the week that we do our campaign in February,” he explained. “We’ll pull a name out of a hat and the winner, for example, may get the principals and me to wash their car or something like that. We try to make the prizes fun.”

Knes has been in the Valley Park district for 11 years – eight as superintendent and three as assistant superintendent. He was a principal in the Clayton and Rockwood school districts prior to that. His wife is an assistant superintendent in the Rockwood School District and the couple has two sons, both in college.

When asked how he would measure his success as Education Division Chair, Knes didn’t hesitate: “Success would look like 100 percent participation and we would meet or exceed our goal.”

Circle of Giving October 1, 2014 – November 30, 2014 The following donors have made gifts that enable the Arts and Education Council to help preserve St. Louis’ legacy of artistic excellence and enrich its cultural community. A&E appreciates the continued support from these individuals, businesses and organizations. Thank you! $25,000 and above The Boeing Company Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth S. Kranzberg Monsanto Fund

Marcia and Kevin Quint Mr. and Mrs. William C. Rusnack Mr. and Mrs. Terry E. Schnuck Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Srenco Dr. Mark Weil

$5,000 - $9,999.99 BKD, LLP Bryan Cave LLP Mr. and Mrs. David O. Gifford Mrs. Priscilla McDonnell Nestle Purina PetCare Company John M. Olin Charitable Trust The Regional Arts Commission Webster University

$500 - $999.99 Tony Bardol Mr. Robert Batts Mr. and Mrs. James G. Berges COCA Center of Creative Arts Mr. Tom B. Domian Echo Valley Foundation Shaconda Frye Mr. Shawn L. Gibbs Ms. Marylen Mann and Mr. Franklin A. Jacobs Susan Rowe Jennings and Michael Jennings Mrs. Nancy Kalishman William S. Knowles Mr. and Mrs. Alan C. Kohn Miss Amy Lampe Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Langsdorf Melissa and Scott Lenz Mr. and Mrs. Christopher N. Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Joseph O. Losos Ms. Cheryl A. Lovell Mr. Thomas E. Lowther Mr. Roger M. Macon Ms. Eileen K. McLoughlin Ms. Lisa Melandri Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Messey Mr. Collin T. Moore Timothy and Kara Graziano O’Leary Mr. Johnnie E. Roland, Jr. Ms. Karen M. Schneider Mr. and Mrs. Joe Soer St. Louis Children’s Choirs Susan and Drexel Stith Marianne and Donald Weber Mr. and Mrs. Peter Werner Ms. Kelly E. Wiederholt Andrea and Jeremy Yoder

$2,500 - $4,999.99 Basso at the Cheshire Dr. William H. Danforth Forum Studio Inc. Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. HOK Mr. A. Janssen Longenecker Charles and Janet Meyer Moneta Group James and Merry Mosbacher Ms. Ruthe Ponturo PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Mr. and Mrs. James Probstein RubinBrown LLP Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Stifel St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council, Local 562 Thompson Coburn LLP U.S. Bank University of Missouri – St. Louis Washington University Libraries $1,000 - $2,499.99 Mr. and Mrs. Stephen F. Brauer Ms. Sara B. Burke Eric Cunningham and Kate Francis Dr. and Mrs. Tim Eberlein Engelhardt Family Foundation Gretta Forrester, Forrester Family Fund of the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation Fox Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Sam Fox Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Galvin Ms. Barbara B. Goodman Mr. Matthew Hutchison Mr. and Mrs. Ward M. Klein The Lawrence Group Linda and Paul Lee Mr. and Mrs. John F. McDonnell The Millstone Foundation The Muny Theatre Penny Pennington & Mike Fidler Althelia Powell-Thomas Ms. Cynthia A. Prost Dr. Mabel L. Purkerson

In Tribute October 1, 2014 – November 30, 2014 In honor of Ken & Nancy Kranzberg The Millstone Foundation In honor of Ameren and Tom Voss Mr. Deane H. Looney In honor of Tom Voss and Warner Baxter Mr. and Mrs. A. Dennis Sparger In honor of Tom and Carol Voss Ms. Anne Kessen Lowell In Memory of Dr. Leslie Rich Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Thomas, Jr. 11

Non-Profit Org. US POSTAGE

PAID ST LOUIS MO PERMIT NO 3619 Centene Center for Arts and Education Address Service Requested

3547 Olive Street St. Louis, Missouri 63103-1014

your gift to A&E grows into millions of art experiences, making a vibrant community for all.

Donate today to the 2015 Annual Campaign.

Visit KeepArtHappening.org to make an online donation.

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2013 Missouri Arts Award-Philanthropy

2012 Spirit of Philanthropy Award