Category: Black Liberated Arts Center Inc.

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Vocalist/Pianist Justin Echols headlines BLAC Inc.’s Soul Food Dinner Theater January event

Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. announced that the 2010 opener will be “An Evening of Jazz” featuring Justin Echols, as part of its Soul Food Dinner Theater series at the Petroleum Club, 34th Floor, in Oklahoma City. The Soul Food buffet begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, and the show starts at 8 p.m. 
Echols, who is a vocalist/pianist, has appeared in many venues and is a favorite on the Oklahoma City jazz scene.  He performs on a regular basis at the Skirvin Hotel Lounge.  
“We are pleased to present Mr. Echols in performance for this series,” BLAC Inc. Executive Director Anita Arnold said.  “What better way to begin our 40th anniversary year than to have a wonderfully delicious meal with great artistry in a superb environment.  Justin opens the first of three Soul Food Dinner shows.  The remaining two will be Feb. 6 and April 17.”  
The show is sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council.  Tickets are $45 and are on sale now and may be purchased through BLAC Inc., Capital Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz Rhythm and Blues Store, KM66, and Learning Tree Toy Store.  Mastercard and Visa may be used by calling BLAC Inc. at (405) 524-3800.

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arts Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. education Oklahoma Oklahoma City teachers

Teacher Randy Barron to conduct arts education workshop in Oklahoma City


Randy Barron, a 25-year teacher specializing in arts education, will be in Oklahoma City Oct. 19-22, conducting teacher training at Wilson Elementary School in the Oklahoma City Public Schools District and at Highland Park School in the Mid-Del Schools District. The announcement was made today by Anita Arnold, executive director of Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc.

Barron has conducted more than 100 professional development workshops and more than 75 in-school residencies in 23 states. Barron has written arts curriculum reaching more than 250,000 students in urban and rural school districts. He is a founding member and current curriculum coordinator for the Rio Gallinas School, an elementary charter school in Las Vegas that is focused on ecology and the arts.

As a professional dancer, Barron has choreographed, performed with and directed ballet and modern dance companies throughout the United States and Europe. He is a co-founder and former artistic director of City in Motion Dance Theater in Kansas City, Mo.

While in Oklahoma City, Barron will conduct the workshop, “Scientific Thought in Motion,” at Highland Park School and will spend three days coaching teachers at Wilson Elementary School. This is his third trip to Oklahoma City to work with classroom teachers.

This project, a part of BLAC Inc.’s arts education program, is funded in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council and the Oklahoma Department of Education.

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African Storyteller Dylan Pritchett returns to Oklahoma City


Anita Arnold, executive director of BLAC Inc., announced today that African Storyteller Dylan Pritchett will return to Oklahoma City after a long absence to do a number of educational activities with schools and with the Pauline E. Mayer Shelter.
For 20 years, Pritchett worked in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, where he trained staff to present stories as well as interpretive and musical programs to the public. Currently, he presents storytelling programs in more than 100 elementary and secondary schools each year and leads numerous workshops for teachers. Pritchett also presents programs in museums for both children and the adult public.
The Kennedy Center trainer will present storytelling programs at Highland Park School in the Mid-Del Schools District, for 7th and 8th graders at Douglass High School and children at Pauline E. Mayer Shelter. While in the city, Pritchett will conduct teacher workshop, “Storytelling: Involving Students in African Tales.”
Arnold said, “We are always excited to have Dylan come and spend time with our teachers and children. He is, especially effective with students and has the unique ability to engage children despite their circumstances. BLAC Inc. provides this service to our community through The Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education Program that BLAC Inc. brought to Oklahoma City in 1995. BLAC Inc.’s school partners are Oklahoma City Public Schools and Mid-Del Schools.”
This program is sponsored in part by Mid-Del Schools, Oklahoma Department of Education, Oklahoma Art Council, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and BLAC Inc.