Drums & “Swingin’ Senegal” Lecture at Mary Williams Community Center
Last Friday, JABA’s Mary Williams Community Center was filled with tapping feet and smiles as members enjoyed an afternoon with Bruce Penner, a local musician, who shared his knowledge of music along with a drumming demonstration for JABA members. Penner shared his knowledge of the roots of modern American music.
“We listened to tracks of music ranging from tribal drum beats to blues to swing,” said Kelly Carpenter, Mary Williams Community Center Manager, adding that Penner also traced the routes music traveled from Africa to America. Following his talk, Penner led the group through a drum workshop, helping them to experience the rhythms he’d described to them. “During the workshop everyone had the opportunity to drum. Bruce was able to bring enough instruments for everyone…ranging from bells to drums to a five-gallon bucket,” Carpenter added.
Carpenter hopes this is the first in a potential series of workshops for JABA members. “We are especially hopeful about opportunities that would allow our members to learn or experience something new,” she said.
Literacy Volunteers’ Wordplay Event April 16 at The Paramount Theater
Net week, Literacy Volunteers’ will host its annual trivia fundraiser, Wordplay, on April 16 at 7pm at the Paramount Theater on the downtown mall. Nearly 40 teams already signed up for the event, which features trivia on a variety of topics such as popular culture, history, and literature.
“This is our main fundraiser so it’s critical we have a great turnout so we can keep providing free tutoring in literacy to adults in our community who need the help,” said Executive Director Ellen Osborne. Individual tickets are still available at $20.00 a person, either online, at the LVCA office, or the Paramount Theater box office. For more information or to buy a ticket, go to literacyforall.org/wordplay.
Earl Gordon Exhibit and Street Charette at African American Heritage Center this Weekend
Tonight, the African American Heritage Center (AAHC) will hold a reception in honor of its newest exhibit, “Earl Gordon: Art History Remix.” The reception will last from 6-8pm and Gordon will speak about his work at 7pm. Gordon’s work explores the intersection of modern Western art and African Art through a series of collages. The twenty collages in the exhibit are marked by both biographical references to Gordon’s life as well as relationships to other artists. They often feature angular points that direct the viewer from area of the image to the next. Some critics have compared his work to a visual form of jazz improvisation.
The exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the Blue Moon Fund and Albemarle Magazine and will be on display through June 30.
On Saturday, the AAHC will host a Charette from 10am-2pm in its auditorium. A charette is a design-focused collaboration or workshop, and the goal of Saturday’s event is to brainstorm potential points of interest in order to create a comprehensive African American Heritage Trail in Charlottesville and Albemarle county. Community members can drop by any time between 10am and 2pm to share their ideas and stories about what sites should be included on the trail.
Carver Recreation Center Celebrates Successful Flea Market, Spring Break Camp
“Our Flea Market was great,” said Dan Carpenter, Carver Recreation Center Manager said, indicating that in addition to plenty of shoppers heading into Carver Rec on March 29, but also that vendor space was entirely sold out. “We will definitely do this again, probably in the fall,” he added.
Carver Rec also welcomed 101 spring break campers last week. “Highlights included a fishing fair on Wednesday at Quarry park,” said Erica Goode, City of Charlottesville Recreation Manager. “Campers fished in the creek and caught close to two dozen fish. They also hiked, played, and did arts and crafts as well.” Campers also went swimming at Smith Aquatic Center and enjoyed a day at the movies at Stonefield during the camp..
Jefferson School City Center is a voice of the nine nonprofits located at Charlottesville’s intergenerational community center, the restored Jefferson School. We are a legacy preserved . . . a soul reborn . . . in the heart of Cville!
