CTB Lead Teacher Heather Kratz leads Gunnison Elementary students in their first ever live public performance.

Bringing Celebrate the Beat to a new school, a new town, and new students is always an exciting endeavor, and Gunnison Elementary was no exception.  With eager fourth grade dancers smiling, leaping, and counting time to the beat of percussionist Shane Whitener and the direction of lead teacher Heather Kratz, CTB was an instant success.  For a solid three weeks these students danced their hearts out and loved every moment of it. 

Then, on the morning of November 18, they lined up in the hallway leading to the gymnasium where they were about to give their first live performance.  It was at that moment that one knew CTB had made its impact.  The ear-to-ear smiles, the anticipation, and the desire to do their best filled that hallway. As they made their way into the gym they were greeted by hundreds of their fellow students, teachers, and parents.  The crowd roared its approval, and the show was underway.  From the first runs and jumps to the last moves of the finale, the smiles never left the dancers' faces.  Nor did the crowd ever quiet.  Said CTB Executive Director Dan Rubinoff, "It was wonderful to see.  Here  you have such an excited group of children completely embracing the arts in their school day.  You can't ask for more than that."

Thanks to Gunnison School Coordinator Barb Haas, the PE staff, and an inviting group of fourth grade teachers it looks like CTB may be back for an even more in-depth program in the coming years.  CTB wants to acknowledge all of the incredible support this program received, including funding from the Colorado Council on the Arts, the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, the Crested Butte Music Festival, and Kids Kount.



(Above) The intensity never left the faces of these new CTB dancers at Gunnison Elementary. (Below) CTB dance teachers and Gunnison PE staff share a moment.. 

Peace, Understanding, and Dance Take Center Stage at Crested Butte John Lennon Performance

 

Color abounds at the Crested Butte John Lennon final performance at the Crested Butte Community School. 

Practice makes perfect.  Six years ago the Crested Butte CTB residency began with 20 students, and they had to travel to Aspen to perform.  Flash forward to 2009 and you can see how a CTB program can mature to its full potential.  Now there are over 125 dancers from two schools, teachers dancing alongside their students, and an incredible professional performance in the local gym put on in front of a completely packed house. 

It was a sea of tye-dye moving, waving, and swaying to the inspirational music of John Lennon.  CTB artistic director Tracy Straus and musical director Tony Kieraldo created a brilliant show that no one sitting in the stands or dancing on the floor will ever forget.  Sparked by the enthusiasm and energy of the CB DREAM Team (Dancers Reaching Excellence Artistry Mastery), the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders never missed a beat as they danced to such crowd favorites as Imagine and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. 

The Cretsed Butte dancers were joined for the first time by students from ORSCH,  a new independent school in Gunnison.  This marked the first time Crested Butte and Gunnison students danced together in a CTB event, making the event a very special one indeed. By bringing children together from both ends of the valley, CTB has once again proven that the arts can truly transform children's lives, as well as transforming the community they live in.  This event could not have been possible without the incredible support CTB received from many generous organizations, including the CB PTA, the Crested Butte Music Festival, the Crested Butte Arts Festival, the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, Kids Kount, the Colorado Council on the Arts, and many local Crested Butte businesses.  A special thanks also goes out to the National Dance Institute (NDI) for inspiring our choice of the Lennon theme and brilliant ideas of how to share his legacy.

For a peak at photos of the show go to www.ctbeat.org.  These same photos can also be purchased by going to http://nathanbilow.smugmug.com/Dance/

If you wish to order a DVD of the performance, please send $20 to: Celebrate the Beat, 40007 Panorama Rd., Paonia, CO 81428.  Or you call our office at (970)433-2585.

CTB Artistic Director Tracy Straus with CTB Musical Director Tony Kieraldo creating a magic moment for CTB dancers at the end of class.

With all of the mailers and packets sent out and the support steadily rolling in, the CTB Annual Fall Fund Drive is entering its final month.  This is the last great push to secure our operating funds for the coming year, and we encourage all our supporters who have not sent in their suppoort yet to do so now.  CTB continues its string of successful residencies and programs, and new programs will be starting in new schools in new areas in 2010.  We simply can't do it without you.  Please find a couple of minutes in your busy day to pick up the card we sent you, fill it out, and send it back to us to ensure 2010 is even more successful than 2009.  Thanks for helping all our young dancers reach for the stars!

If you like, you can donate now by visiting www.ctbeat.org

 

A packed house at Gunnison Elementary School watch Gunnison students perform their first ever live show.  Donations from CTB supporters like you help to bring high quality arts education to eager rural Colorado communities like Gunnison. 

Donate now at www.ctbeat.org 

 

The banner of the month isn't one banner, but three, and they truly are special.  The students of Crested Butte Community School, led by student artist Cassidy Dodds, created these incredible images on canvas depicting the spirit of John Lennon.  From his days of Sargent Pepper to his days as a solo artist rock icon, these banners instantly touch those who see them.  They evoke the memories of the Beatles so many of us cherish and the essence that truly was John Lennon.  In addition to being incredible pieces of art, they served as a perfect backdrop to a stellar show.  Additional thanks must be given to CBCS art teacher Ben McLoughlin and Art Studio owner/teacher Melissa Neuner for their help and direction in making these happen.