Fiesta! is happening in less than a month!!

As we gear up for FIESTA!  I wanted to give you an inside scoop of this year’s theme: arts inspire.  The theme specifically looks at how art inspires children and members of our community.  We have invited several guest speakers to talk about arts inspire and how the arts have touched their lives or lives of those they serve.

Johnitha McNair from the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services will introduce the theme and how the arts inspire the ambitions of juvenile offenders to rise above the low expectations set for them, as they participate in Class Acts Arts' Project Youth ArtReach program.  Former Washington Post journalist Bob Levey will present how art inspires learning in children and lifelong learning in adults.  Seema Reza from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center will share how the arts inspire hope and wellbeing among our wounded warriors.  And Dawn Ieriho:kwats Avery, a performer and educator of Mohawk descent, will impart how art preserves and encourages our cultural traditions.  Each presentation by our guest speakers will be followed by performances from Class Acts Arts artists.  Included in our line-up is Anansegromma of Ghana, which has been leading the drumming circle for wounded warriors at Walter Reed; Magpie, whose folk music extends to curriculum connections in the classroom; Native Pride Dancers, who keep the traditions of the American Indian alive; and Urban Artistry, who inspire creative self-expression through the language of urban dance.

We hope this evening, which also includes a wine and hors d'oeuvre reception with music from Tracey Eldridge and Company, will delight and inspire us all! 

Tickets start at $100 and benefit arts education programs to children and the underserved.  For more information or to purchase, click here.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Joan Burns, Executive Director