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Summer 2008 Volume 2, Issue 4 |
End of Year
Showcase
Freedman Award
MACH @ McKinley
End of Camp Performance Dates
MACH at Two Boots
Camps Go Green
3 Camper Challenge
Summer Camp Visiting Days
Jean Awer Retires
A Note from the Board
A Letter from the CEO |
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End of Year Recital Showcases
Student Talent |
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June 7, 2008 –
Highlighting the students’ talent and hard work, the
MACH End of Year Showcase was presented this afternoon
at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Bridgeport.
MACH’s
end-of-school recital is a tradition that allows the
children to demonstrate the skills they have acquired
throughout the year.
Students from MACH
Saturdays, the Saturday Dance Academy, Neighborhood
Studios Dance Ensemble, Dance II, the Saturday Art
Institute, and the Neighborhood Studios Jazz Ensemble
performed for an audience of family and friends.
It
was easy to see from the smiles on their faces how
delighted the students were to perform in front of a
live audience. “This has been a remarkable year for our
students,” said Program Director Frank Derico. ”We are
exceptionally proud of them and all that they have
accomplished this year, and it is terrific to see the
support given by their parents, families, friends and
the community at large.” |
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photos
courtesy of David LaBianca |
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Dorothy N. Freedman Award Presented
at Showcase |
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June 7, 2008 – Each year the Dorothy N. Freedman Award
is given to Music and Arts Center for Humanity (MACH)
students who have worked hard to develop their interest
in the arts. This award, created by Ms. Freedman,
Secretary of the Music and Arts Center for Humanity’s
Board of Directors, was established as a way to reward
enthusiasm for the arts, whether it is dance, digital
photography, theater or any of the many classes offered
at MACH.
This year Ms. Alyssa LaBarga and Mr. Baba Jidi Davis
were chosen as recipients of the 2008 Dorothy N.
Freedman Award. Both Ms. LaBarga and Mr. Davis have
taken full advantage of the wide range of classes
available at MACH.
Over the years, Ms. LaBarga has taken basic and advanced
art classes at MACH, including two years with the
Neighborhood Studios program and a Master’s Class in
sculpture taught by renowned Westport artist Steffi
Friedman. In addition, Ms. LaBarga worked on the
Groundworks |
project
in 2007, and utilized her studies at MACH to augment art
classes taken in high school. Ms. LaBraga plans to
pursue further education in the arts.
Mr. Davis has attended
MACH classes for several years, and credits MACH for a
well-rounded
background in the arts. He is a graduate of all three of
MACH’s summer camps, a skilled videographer, an expert
cultural drummer, and frequent volunteer at MACH. He
will be attending Southern Connecticut University in the
fall, with a major in Special Education. |
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Photos: Mr.
Davis and Ms. Labraga accept their awards from Ms.
Freedman. Below, awardees pose with Ms. Freedman, Dr.
Donald Rainone, and Program Director Frank Derico.
photos courtesy of David LaBianca |
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MACH @ McKinley Presents "The
McKinley Factory" |
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June 6, 2008 – It was
an evening of fun and frolic as the students from
the MACH @ McKinley program performed an original
production entitled “The McKinley Factory” in the
school’s auditorium. Filled with lively song and
dance numbers, and poetry readings, the performance
celebrated man’s inventions.
Completing its second
year, the MACH @ McKinley program has proven that
participation in the arts does, indeed, support
critical thinking skills and creative thought. A
joint project between the Music and Arts Center for
Humanity and United Way of Eastern Fairfield County,
the program was specifically developed to integrate
the arts into the traditional classroom curriculum. |
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photos
courtesy of David LaBianca |
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There is
Still Time
to Buy a Smile
Even
though summer camp is in session it’s not too late to
help give a child an unforgettable summer. Donations are
still needed to cover supplies, trips, snacks, costumes
and make-up, and all the little extras that enhance the
camp experience.
Making a contribution is easy. Just use the form at the
end of the newsletter to submit your donation. You’ll
make a child’s summer camp experience memorable. |
End of Camp Performance
Dates Announced |
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July 1, 2008 – The end-of-camp performances are a
tradition that parents and campers alike look forward
to. Campers work hard all summer perfecting their
skills, and the performances are their chance to show
their friends, relatives, and the community at large
their accomplishments. Tickets for the Neighborhood
Studios performance may be purchased in advance from any
NS camper, or at the door. All other events are free.
Come join us as we celebrate the end of summer.
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Camp |
Date & Start Time |
Type of Performance |
Location |
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MACH Camp |
August 6
Noon |
Original Play |
Playhouse on the Green
177 State Street
Bridgeport, CT |
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Neighborhood Studios |
August 6
7:00pm
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Music & Dance |
Downtown Cabaret
263 Golden Hill Street
Bridgeport, CT |
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MACH/Ailey Camp |
August 7
7:30pm |
Dance |
Edgerton Center for the
Performing Arts
Sacred Heart University
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, CT
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Neighborhood Studios |
August 8
5:30pm |
Art Show |
CityLights Gallery
37 Markle Court
Bridgeport, CT |
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Save the Date |
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July 11, 2008-Have you
had a chance to sample pizza or one of the delicious
entrees from Bridgeport’s newest restaurant, Two Boots?
If you have, then you’ll welcome the opportunity to do
so again. If you haven’t , why not make it a point to
join MACH’s friends and supporters at Two Boots on
Wednesday, August 20th from 6 to 10 PM
for MACH Night at Two Boots? Either way,
bring the family and enjoy a delicious dinner, and then
dance to the rhythms of
Son 7,
Bridgeport’s hottest salsa band. It’s all for a good
cause.
Well known to New York
City pizza aficionados, Two Boots’ signature
Cajun-Italian cuisine is a hit with Bridgeport
restaurant goers. Phil Hartman, who co-owns both
restaurants with his brother Jesse, has generously
agreed to donate a portion of the night’s profits to
MACH. |
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“We are thrilled that Two
Boots is hosting this evening to benefit MACH,” said
Executive Director/CEO Dr. Donald Rainone. “This is a
terrific opportunity for MACH’s friends and supporters
to get together, enjoy a nice meal, listen to some good
music, and help MACH in the process. I’m looking forward
to a wonderful evening and I hope everyone will come
join in the fun.”
Cover charge: $10 per person, tax deductible |
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MACH Camps Go Green |
Special Challenge Raises
Funds for 3 Campers |
Summer Camp Visiting
Days a Great Success |
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July 7, 2008 – The
environment is this year’s theme for MACH’s summer
camps. For example, did you know that:
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Americans use more
than 67 million tons of paper each year?
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200 million gallons
of used motor oil is illegally dumped each year in
the U.S.?
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A disposable diaper
takes 550 years to decompose?
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Styrofoam and plastic
containers take a million years to decompose?
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That one-third of all
garbage thrown away in the U.S. is packaging
(shopping bags, containers, etc.)?
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That the average
American throws away 3.5 pounds of trash each day?
These and other
environmental issues are being discussed by campers. The
program focuses on using the arts to raise public
awareness and proposing lifestyle changes that will have
a positive effect on the environment. As a result
campers now realize that what they do has an impact on
the world around them, and that changing what they do
can make a difference. MACH campers are committing
themselves to “reuse, recycle, and protect the
environment.” They don’t have to wait until they are
adults – they can do something right now! |
July 10, 2008 - Three
Bridgeport campers are saying an extra-special “Thank
You” to an anonymous donor and some generous benefactors
who went out of their way to make sure that the children
had a happy summer. Cutbacks in Bridgeport Public School
funding resulted in these three individuals losing
school system sponsorship for summer camp at MACH.
Determined that these children must have the summer camp
experience that they had been promised, MACH Executive
Director/CEO Dr. Donald Rainone took action.
Seeking funds for these
three campers, Dr. Rainone spoke with a number of MACH
supporters. One donor, who wishes to remain anonymous,
pledged to cover half of the three student’s
scholarships provided MACH could raise the remaining
half.
Rising to the challenge, Dr. Rainone has doubled his
efforts and is nearing the goal. “We are so sure that
Dr. Rainone will succeed in raising the additional funds
we have scheduled the children to begin camp on Monday
[July 14th],” said Program Director Frank
Derico. |
July 25, 2008 – MACH
Campers and Staff want to say a big “Thank You!” to
everyone who stopped in to visit during MACH’s Summer
Camp Visiting Days (July 14th through 17th).
Many of our funders and parents took the opportunity to
come in and see MACH’s award-winning camps in action.
Several also made it a point to join us at the Meet the
Camper reception where board members, funders, and local
dignitaries were given an opportunity to meet and chat
with campers on a one-to-one basis. |
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Generosity is
Good for You |
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Did you know that
helping others is good for you? According to the July
2008 issue of Consumer Reports’ On Health
magazine, a recent study shows that people who spend
money on others report a greater degree of happiness
than if they had spent the money on themselves. The
study found that employees who allocate their bonuses,
regardless of the amount, towards charity were happier.
Findings show that spending as little as $5 on others
can make a difference.
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Jean Awer Retires |
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May 23, 2008- Jean Awer,
Bookkeeper and Registrar, retired today after almost
five years of dedicated service to MACH. Ms. Awer joined
MACH in September 2003 as a part-time Bookkeeper, but
rapidly became a key member of the staff and a favorite
with everyone.
“When I first came here,
almost three long years ago, Jean helped me get
acclimated and avoid the major pitfalls a new CEO was
bound to encounter,” said Executive Director/CEO Dr.
Donald Rainone. “She was a loyal employee and a friend.
I will miss her,” he concluded.
Staff helped Jean
celebrate this new phase of her life with a small coffee
and cake reception. |
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Photos: At
left, Jean Awer reads a note from Board Chairman, Joan
Rosenbaum. At right, Jean and staff celebrated with cake
and coffee. |
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A Note from the Board: |
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In the seven or eight
years that I have been a member of the Board of MACH
much has changed. We moved from the Bridgeport
University campus. We greatly expanded the number of
youngsters we help learn the arts. We have built a
strong organization of managers and instructors. And we
have added great new programs. Bridgeport must very
proud of its’ inner-city art school!
And I am proud to be
Vice-Chairman of Finance. We are always in need of
funds, but somehow we find a way to continue offering
great programs. My job is to make sure that we keep an
accurate and
orderly “back office”! |
Most important in my pride at being a member of the MACH organization is
that I am helping to bring the arts to the children of
Greater Bridgeport. I collect art (fine prints) and am a
very active chamber music player. My instrument is the
viola. So helping others to gain an appreciation the art
world, which I love and has so enriched my life, gives
me the greatest of pleasures.
Before I retired I had a
long career as a business man: a career I also loved. So
you can see that MACH brings together the Arts and
Business: my two passions. And
helping teach
others is yet a third great passion. |
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A Letter from the CEO
Dr. Donald Rainone |
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The
Long Hot Summer is still here. The relief we receive
from a cool glass of water, the soft humming of a
distant window air conditioner, a friendly smile on the
faces of MACH campers and teachers, and
the pursuit of an arts experience to break up the hot
and humid days—priceless!
This
is my third summer camp season and we are excited, as
everyone is engaged. Our staff, board members, and of
course all of our donors have helped to make all things
MACH run smoothly.
I
have spent many hot summers in Arizona and Florida, and
although much shorter, summer in the Northeast can be
brutal. Therefore, it is even more important for all of
us to realize that what we are doing here at MACH is
creating an alternative for Bridgeport youth—rather
than children simply enduring the heat and just
hanging around— we challenge them to think,
and encourage them to create, dance, perform, problem
solve, and oh yes—Have Fun! |
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"Art washes away from the soul the
dust of everyday life." - Pablo Picasso |
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Music and
Arts Center
for Humanity
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We
Need Your Help! |
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510 Barnum Ave.
3rd Floor
Bridgeport, CT 06608
Phone:
203.366.3300
Fax:
203.368.2847
Email:
info@musicandartscenter.org
MACH
Making Arts Matter!
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About Our Organization
The
Music and Arts Center for Humanity (MACH) is a nonprofit
school of the arts founded in 1977 to enhance the lives
of children and adults, particularly special needs
students, the economically
disadvantaged and those artistically gifted.
MACH is an accredited member of the National Guild of
Community Schools of the Arts and the winner of a 2005
Coming Up Taller award.
Mrs. Laura Bush recognized MACH as one of the 17 top
Arts and Humanities programs. “As a former public school
teacher, I have a firsthand understanding of what young
people can accomplish when they truly strive to realize
their dreams, and I wholeheartedly embrace the arts and
humanities as vehicles for helping them find their way,”
said Laura Bush, Honorary Chair of the President’s
Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
We
at MACH believe in the power of the arts to change
lives. The arts provide a means of communication and
self-expression that teaches tolerance, self-discipline,
and a sense of community. Exposure to the arts benefits
both the individual and the community at large. While
MACH may teach drawing, sculpture, dance and music, what
we really deliver is personal achievement and
accomplishment via the arts.
Programs are offered at MACH headquarters at 510 Barnum
Avenue, Bridgeport, as well as various Public Schools in
the Bridgeport area. MACH offers 12 different programs
in music, dance, visual arts, theater, creative writing,
and design throughout the school year. Additional summer
programs are offered from June through August. For more
information contact the Program Director at 366-3300
ext. 224. |
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Interested in Volunteering?
Let
us put your
talents to work.
Contact us at
203.366.3300
www.musicandartscenter.org |
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