February 2015 | Legacy Arts Newsletter

Saihou Njie, Heinz Spotlight, and Community Events.  View this email in your browser It's been a few short months since we began our newsletter. For the purpose of sharing news of not only the Legacy Arts Project, but also the Black arts community of Pittsburgh, we intend to utilize this platform as a voice for the happenings of 'the Burgh'. We intend to grow this into a consistent outlet that informs, educates, and inspires, all the while reaching an ever-expanding audience. As such, you will notice the expansion of our newsletter to include different sections, and this month, we start off with our Artist spotlight.  Artist Spotlight Prime Time, an after school program offered by the Woodland Hills School District through the PA Consortium of Public Education, is where  visual and textile artist, and teaching artist to LAP, Saihou Njie currently lends his talents. He teaches, every Tuesday and Thursday, two sets of middle school students for an hour each. His methodology of infusing peace and creative exploration makes him a favorite of the students he teaches. The LAP began its relationship with Mr. Njie in 2013 when we honored him with a Keepers of The Flame Award. Since that time, we have been grateful to maintain a connection that enables him to share his artistry with us.  It should be noted that Saihou is an extremely humble and friendly gentleman. His ear-to-ear smile lights up a room upon his entrance and the activities he shares often lead to collective enjoyment. During the closing of his movement classes with Legacy, he would begin laughing, bringing forth a bellowing sound stirred deep from his belly. The effect would be infectious. Suddenly, all participants in the class would begin laughing uncontrollably. And that is a part of his method, bringing a consistent reminder that life is meant to be enjoyed and shared with others. His accolades are numerous, encompassing as many awards as he has artistic interests. At Legacy, he has shown his visual artistry and movement, but he is also a photographer, tailor, and musician. A noted highlight in his career was when he served as a guest artist on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood where he demonstrated how to create Batik, an art form that incorporates wax and dye to create visual images on fabric, a technique for which he is widely known.  We honor Saihou Njie as our Spotlight Artist of the month as he is a living testimony of the power of art to inspire and transform.  Legacy Arts in The Heinz Spotlight! The Legacy Arts Project is proud to announce that we're the featured organization on The Heinz Endowments website. For the next few weeks information about our classes, events and more will posted on the site. Right now you can check the Q&A with LAP's Executive Director, Erin Perry. Click the link below and keep checking the website for more updates on LAP.   Q&A With Erin Perry Saturday Art Making @ The Homewood Coliseum 9am-noon FREE   Open to girls from the ages of 6-12, the Legacy Arts Project, in conjunction with the Trolley Station, hosts a Saturday session of art making. Join renowned fiber artist, Tina Brewer, and movement instructor, Erin Perry, as they engage youth in an exploration of self and the cultures of the African diaspora.  Classes run through May 2015.   Please contact info@legacyartsproject.org for more information.  Community Events! One of the top 10 African Dance Companies in the United States, will be performing for free on Friday, Feb. 27th (7:00PM – 10:00PM); at the Eddy Theatre on Chatham University’s Shadyside Campus. Admission is free, but donations for the Class of 2015 Senior Gift will be accepted. More Information on Step Afrika! Click to view more upcoming Pittsburgh Playwrights Shows Facebook Twitter Website Copyright *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences  *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

Use this area to offer a short preview of your email's content. View this email in your browser Black History Month! February is here, and we know what that means, Happy Black History Month 2015. Although we at the LAP exercise appreciation of our history all year long, we are utilizing this galvanized momentum to honor the work of cultural enrichment and uplift taking place throughout the community. We pay tribute to those, known and unknown, for their contributions towards spreading love, truth, peace, and joy in ways large and small. It is through the daily practice of loving ourselves that the world becomes a more loving place. We give thanks during this Black History Month to our ancestors, elders, peers, and youth who strive to create a more just world for all of us.  Please support the activities listed below, whether through attendance or spreading the word. Let us practice Kujichagalia and be self-determining by taking part in activities that reinforce the creativity, beauty and greatness of Black people throughout the world.  ______________________________ The Sembene festivial is kicking off this weekend with three movie showings. Friday, February, 6, 2015 Mandela Long Walk To Remember shows at 6 p.m. Saturday, February, 7, 2015 Erroll Garner; No One Can Hear You Read. Sunday, February, 8, 2015 Mapantsula (Hustler). Read More Haitian dancers, artist unknown Haitian Dance In Pittsburgh How do we begin to speak of the power of Haitian dance? Bringing a multitude of images and connotations to the minds of Americans, we have been led to distance ourselves from the traditional culture of Haiti for fear of the unknown. At the heart of the Haitian Revolution was the song, music, dance and ritual that galvanized the efforts of people to be self-determining. Through embracing the culture and traditions of the African ancestors of Dahomey, the people of Haiti were able to up-rise from the oppression of slavery.   And now, we have Haitian dance in Pittsburgh, serving as a reminder of, and tool for, our own self-determination. Kujichagalia, the Swahili word used during Kwanzaa, is the principle that says we "define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves", and embracing the traditions of Haitian dance and music are an example of just that. By way of Talahassee, FL, instructor Genia Guirand brings her connection with her homeland of Haiti to share with other artists in Pittsburgh, youth and elder alike. Come check her out on Wednesdays at Sankofa Village for the Arts, 5:30pm - 7:00pm, then stick around for further Caribbean exploration with Salsa and More with Ryan Mitchell from 7:15 to 8:30. Both classes are $6 for adults and free for youth. Haitian Dance w/Genia Guirand Wednesdays 5:30-7:00pm $6 Adults, Free for Children Salsa w/Ryan Mitchell Wednesdays 7:15pm – 8:30pm $6 Adults, Free for Children   Congolese Dance Mondays 6:00-8:00pm $5 Admission Facebook Twitter Website Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences  *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*