Here is a rundown of NEMPAC news, courtesy of Rebecca Griffin, Executive Director.
First, a note from Traci Griffith, Eliot School Principal on NEMPAC’s upcoming performance in City Spotlights.
“City Spotlights” Shines on the Before School Rock Band
Congratulations and a “shout out” to our before school program provider North End Music Performing Arts for their invitation to perform as part of the City Spotlights cultural program.
City Spotlights is a cultural program exploring and celebrating four Boston neighborhoods through the performing arts (this year’s featured neighborhoods are Chinatown (Downtown), Dorchester , Jamaica Plain, and Mattapan). The program consists of high school internships, community performance workshops, intergenerational neighborhood ensembles, and culminates in a community event featuring local artists at the Citi Performing Arts Center in the Spring 2011.
Past performances highlighted themes important to our City’s teens: violence, historical and local heroes, cultural identity and education. Participants also talked about their dreams, aspirations, and hopes for the future. The identities of Boston neighborhoods are portrayed through original dance, spoken word, theatre, song and multimedia, creating a story honoring the uniqueness and richness of Boston .
City Spotlights 2011
City Movement: Comings and Goings of Boston
Saturday, April 16 at 7pm
Citi Performing Arts Center
Wang Theatre Grand Lobby
Featuring Special Guest Artists: Breje; Velma Dupont; The NEMPAC Eliot School Before School Rock Band; The Gentleman Outfit; Herb Jackson & The Exterminators; Roxbury Center for the Performing Arts; Thee Slap Bracelets
Call 617-532-1265 by 12pm on Friday, April 15 to make reservations.
Reservation Limit: 4 per household, 10 per organization
2. The NEMPAC Eliot School Before School Rock Bands performed prior to the Eliot’s Family Council Meeting this past Thursday. Jeremy Sarzana led 2 bands – about a dozen students ranging from age 5 to 13 playing keyboard, drums, and guitars. They selected which songs they would play while on stage (they are able to play several songs – and are capable of deciding and playing which to play without notice). The comfort and ease with which these kids perform for their peers and their parents is remarkable.
3. Sherri Snow, NEMPAC’s PMI coordinator is finishing her Master’s degree at the Longy School of Music. She and 3 of her classmates, along with their piano accompanying professor came to the Eliot last week, Friday to do a workshop/performance for the 4th and 5th graders on Opera. The Longy students are studying Opera. They gave a fabulous overview of what Opera is, a bit of it’s history, performed a scene from the Marriage of Figaro, had the kids do some acting exercises, answered enthusiastic questions, captivated 40+ 11 and 12 year olds for 45 minutes, and promised to return for a second workshop/performance on April 29th.
4. NEMPAC hosted a sing along with volunteer “Granny Janny” on the piano at the Adult Day Care Center at Villa Michaelangelo last week. It was my mom’s second appearance there – during her first appearance, she took requests which she then found music for – so that for her second appearance, she’d be able to play songs that folks could sing to. I don’t know who enjoys it more, mom, or the residents at the Day Care Center.
5. NEMPAC will host it’s third annual “WELCOME SPRING with an EGG HUNT on the Prado” event. The exact day will be determined by the weather forecast. Watch for an announcement.
For more information on any of these items, contact Becca at becca0923@yahoo.com.
