PS 48M's latest Step

17 Mar 2011, 10:43 AM by kaya, Elementary School

Here's the latest from PS 48M's step class- they're getting ready for all the performing they'll do this spring, and they're looking good!

"In The Studio" with PS 111

15 Mar 2011, 2:34 AM by zeewa, Elementary School

In honor of Black History month the students at PS 111 spent all of Febraury writing and recording original tracks to honor Black icons Michael Jackson and Hank Aaron.

Through this project the students explored the many facets of Garageband and songwriting. As a class we looked at rhyme schemes, cadence, flow, verse and chorus. As a result the students successfully recorded 2 sets of scratch vocals (rough drafts) over their beats.

Enjoy!

Dance Performance at IS 237Q

08 Mar 2011, 10:44 AM by keith, Middle School

The students in IS 237's after school dance program recently performed their work in the school auditorium for their peers and families.  They presented a traditional African doundounba piece set to contemporary hip hop music, as well as a dance made up of a variety of different moves from various South American cultures.  Led by teaching artist Farrah Bell, students also each created a customized tee shirt to give their costumes an individualized touch.  They closed the performance by teaching the audience a few moves from a Brazilian dance they recently began learning.

Students each performed a solo dance they each coreographed themselves.

Students were proud to get the audience up on their feet and share some of what they've learned by teaching the audience a few moves.

“Today there was a performance for anyone who wanted to come.  We showed the dance we’ve been working on for weeks.  We did an African dance and a Spanish dance.  We showed what we can do and mixed different styles.  Our costumes were shirts that we cut and designed however we wanted with skirts.  To me, being in dance is about showing people about what you can do, and I want other people to see that they can do it too.” - Vivian, 7th grade

"I felt nervous because I’m the only guy and I had to memorize my own steps.  I felt shy because there were a lot of people in the audience.  I felt good about being right up front.  I liked the idea that we made our own costumes.” – Saul, 8th grade 

“It felt good to perform because it showed a lot of people what we’ve been learning and how we can spread culture by dancing.  My favorite part was when I helped my friend remember the steps.  The dance club can really be inspiring to people to not be lazy and also to learn something new each and every day.” - Minah, 6th grade

“We showed people that we can do traditional African dance to modern music.  I like that you get to show people what you learned and you can have a good time on stage.  I love the costumes because they’re original to us and we made them.  They represented each of us and how we are.  If you want to express yourself, you should do it by dancing because you can evoke different emotions.  If you never danced before, you shouldn’t be shy.  If you don’t try, you’ll never know how it feels.” - Carla, 7th grade

Tappers see Tappers

07 Mar 2011, 2:11 PM by kaya, Elementary School

On Friday, March 4th, 2011 the Urban Arts Tap Dancing Program at East Side House's PS 277 site excitedly attended a Tap/Jazz Performance by Undertoe Dance Company at The Manhattan Art Center in NYC. We took 20 second graders to this amazing performance and they LOVED IT! Our Tap dancing teacher, Ms. Laura Easley set this entire trip up for us and came along as well. She spoke with the dancers prior to us coming and each dancer gave our students a signed autograph! After the show, they also presented us with a poster with each dancer's signature for our East Side House Office. We had a wonderful time exposing our students to this new, innovative, cultural experience!

Spoken Word Program at Choir Academy of Harlem

04 Mar 2011, 11:53 AM by keith, High School

The students in the poetry and spoken word after school program at Choir Academy of Harlem have been working hard on preparing their original work for performance.  They wrote poems on topics of their choosing and have been rehearsing for one another to strengthen their performance skills.  Led by teaching artist Seren Brevigleiri, the students have developed into confident performers with the courage to share their powerful and poignant words.

Here's a video of Derrick and Raven rehearsing their collaborative piece: 

“We’re working on a group performance for the show. We wanted to put our creative minds together and see where it took us. We thought about the things around us and how every New Year, things are said, but nothing really changes. Being in the poetry club and seeing other people perform made me want to write in a way that was more performance-based.” – Derrick

“I worked hard on it. I feel like I can express how I feel about the world but in a subliminal way. I like showing people that I have a different state of mind. I like performing because it shows people who I really am. I like seeing words connect and tell a story, and make meaning.” – Raven

Here's Ashley rehearsing her solo piece:

“The piece I created is an emotional piece because it’s about what’s going on. A lot of people are going through what I went through. People see me smile, but I wanted to show the other side. I used to always write about how I feel, then rip it up. Poetry class helped me want to share it.” - Ashley

The students attended the Knicks Poetry Slam Finals event in February and were inspired by the performances by their fellow young people.

Students outside the theater following the Knicks Poetry Slam Finals

Derrick and Raven also performed their piece at Choir Academy of Harlem this week as part of a concert celebrating Black History Month.  They closed out the show to thunderous applause from the audience, and we can't wait to see what they create next!