A FABULOUS PERFORMANCE!

SORRY IF YOU MISSED IT!

The 2012 Chocolate Nutcracker Was Wonderful

 

 

 

"Completely entertaining from beginning to end!"   - D. Parks

 

"This was the most entertaining Christmas Performance that I have seen in years!  I loved it!"  - S. Simon

 

"Too cute."   - L. Sanders

 

"I have attended since the first year and I have always loved watching the kids perform." - G. Mays

 

 

The verdict is in.  The 2012 Chocolate Nutcracker in Birmingham wowed the crowd.  From beginning to end, dancers aged 5 and up owned the stage in scene after scene as parents, grandparents, family and friends looked on with pride and delight.  "How do they remember all of those moves?" remarked a grandmother as she watched in amazement, "This is a total treat for me!"

 

"Completely entertaining.  Completely."  K. Jones

 

"Seeing the babies dance brought tears to my eyes."  S. Johnson

 

 

CAST PARTY

 

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Chocolate Nutcracker 2012

In Appreciation for all your hard work

Cast Party

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Hopewell Family Community Life Center

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

FREE TICKETS...ACT FAST!

“CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER BIRMINGHAM”Ticket Giveaway for Youth Service Organizations

 

 

Local youth service organizations can call the City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services (DYS) to reserve tickets to “CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER BIRMINGHAM” during its 2012 National Tour. For "One Night Only", come experience cultural heritage through dance, song, rhythms, narration and drama. Entertainment for the entire family! The event takes place on Friday, December 14, 2012 at the Boutwell Auditorium beginning at 7:00 PM. There is also a special matinee showing for Birmingham students at 10:00 AM.

The Chocolate Nutcracker is a professional musical stage production by LaVerne Reed of New York. Set in early 1950’s Harlem, this production tells the story of young Claire and the Chocolate Nutcracker doll, shaped like a prince, as the two journey around the world in a dream.

Beginning today, organization leaders (Executive Directors, School Principals, Pastors, Coaches, etc.) can call DYS at 205-320-0879 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to reserve tickets for the youth they serve. Up to five (5) tickets may be reserved per organization to help your efforts toward serving youth who will not be attending the student matinee showing earlier that day. Tickets will be dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis until all tickets have been disseminated.

Organizations must call DYS to request tickets. No email requests will be accepted.

For more information about theChocolate Nutcracker Birmingham Ticket Giveaway,

call DYS at 205-320-0879.

City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services

1608 7^thAvenue North | Birmingham, AL 35203

(P) 205-320-0879■ (F) 205-297-8139 ■ www.bhamyouthfirst.org

HEALTH BENEFITS OF DANCE

What Are The Health Benefits Of Dance?

 

 

1.  Strength - Dancing increases strength by forcing the muscles to resist against a dancer's own body weight.  The jumping and leaping into the air required by many forms of dance require tremendous leg muscle strength. 

 

 

 

2.  Flexibility - Most forms of dance require dancers to performs moves which require bending and stretching.  In order for dancers to have a full range of motion in their muscles, they must spend several minutes "warming up" prior to dancing.  This increases flexibility and reduces injuries.

 

 

3.  Cardio Endurance - Dancing is an activity which can increase exertion levels to the point that your words are choppy when you speak.  That kind of regular cardio workout can stave off illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

 

4.  Muscle Endurance -  Regular dance activity will eliminate flabby muscles, too!  The muscles are able to work harder for increasingly longer periods of time.  That builds endurance.

 

 

 

 

5.  Burn Calories - Depending on your weight and the type of dancing, you can burn up to 650 calories or more in an hour!  No more storing unused calories to carry around with you later - dancing is a great way to use all of the calories you consume.

 

 

 

 

6.  It's Fun! - Really?  Do you need an explanation?  Dancing with a group is social and fun.  It is releases endorphins, hormones that make you feel exhilarated, happy and block feelings of pain. 

 

 

Can you think of some other health benefits of dance?  Include yours in comments, below.



 

 

OUR CHOCOLATE STAR OF THE WEEK

Week of November 4th, 2012

 

Cameron Gardner

 

What school do you attend? Phillips Academy In what grade are you? 7th  What is your teacher's name? Ms. Hardin What is your favorite food? Chicken What is your favorite day of the week? Friday Why? We have family night. What is your favorite color? Red What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you?  1st Why do you enjoy dancing?  It’s the thing I like to do most. What is your favorite song? Copy Paste by Diggy Simmons What is your favorite season? Summer What is your favorite movie? or What is the last movie you saw? Spiderman What is your favorite book? or What is the last book you read?  Abiyoyo  What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas? Halloween Why? Trick or Treating with friends.  If you could have one superpower, what would it be? To fly. What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?) Technology.  I would like to develop video games for Nintendo.

CHOCOLATE STARS OF THE WEEK

Week of October 28th, 2012

 

Christian King

 

 

What school do you attend? Bottenfield Middle In what grade are you? 6^th What is your teacher's name? Mitchell What is your favorite food? I love it all! What is your favorite day of the week? Sunday Why? My Grandmother cooks Sunday dinner.  What is your favorite color?  Purple What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you? 1^st What is your favorite song? All songs by Mindless Behavior What is your favorite season?  Summer What is your favorite movie?  Avengers  What is the last movie you saw?  Think Like a Man  What is your favorite book? or What is the last book you read? Cay What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas? My Birthday Why? Gifts  If you could have one superpower, what would it be?  Flying What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?)  Actress

 

 

 

Ashley Boyd

 

 

What school do you attend? Forest Hill Middle School In what grade are you? 7^th  What is your teacher's name? Ms Hill What is your favorite food? Chicken McNuggets What is your favorite day of the week? Sunday Why? Because I get to go to church. What is your favorite color?  Pink What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you? Second Why do you enjoy dancing? It is a lot of fun and movement. What is your favorite song? That’s What Makes You Beautiful What is your favorite season? Summer What is your favorite movie? or  What is the last movie you saw? Ice Age 3  What is your favorite book? or What is the last book you read?  Hunger Games What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas? Easter Why? You get new clothes, lots of candy and celebrate Jesus. What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?) A Lawyer

CHOCOLATE STARS OF THE WEEK

 

Week of October 21st, 2012

Akyia Peoples

What school do you attend? Bessemer Academy In what grade are you? 1^st What is your teacher's name? Mrs. Price What is your favorite food? Spaghetti What is your favorite day of the week? Friday Why? Because my friends sleep over. What is your favorite color? Purple What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you? 3^rd Why do you enjoy dancing? Dancing makes me happy! What is your favorite song? Party Rock What is your favorite season? Summer What is your favorite movie? or What is the last movie you saw? Spirit What is your favorite book? or What is the last book you read? Cuddly Rabbits by Katie Kawa What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas? 4^th of July  If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Super speed to run fast. What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?) A Cowgirl

Julia D. Holmes

 

 

What school do you attend? Chalkville Elementary In what grade are you? 3rd What is your teacher's name? Mrs. Jones What is your favorite food? Oranges What is your favorite day of the week? Friday Why? Because of Fun Fridays at school. What is your favorite color? Blue What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you? First Why do you enjoy dancing? It's fun and a great way to stay in shape. What is your favorite song? Call Me Maybe What is your favorite season? Summer What is your favorite movie? Matilda What is the last movie you saw? Madagascar 3 What is your favorite book? Diary of Aklom What is the last book you read? Alice In Wonderland What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas? Thanksgiving Why? Because of all the good food and my family comes over. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? To fly. What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?) A dentist.

CHOCOLATE STARS OF THE WEEK!

 

Week of October 14th, 2012

 

Raevyn Mooney

 

What school do you attend? Glen Oaks In what grade are you? 5^th What is your teacher's name? Ms. Clark What is your favorite food?  Hot Wings What is your favorite day of the week? Saturday Why? Because we are out of school. What is your favorite color? Blue and Red What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you? 1^st Why do you enjoy dancing? Because it’s fun to do. What is your favorite song? My Girl by Mindless Behavior What is your favorite season? Summer What is your favorite movie? or What is the last movie you saw? Madea’s Big Happy Family What is your favorite book? or What is the last book you read? Little Bill What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas? Easter Why? Because I just love Easter.  If you could have one superpower, what would it be? To be invisible. What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?) Professional dancer and singer.

Amber Rene’ Shearer

 

What school do you attend? Ramsay High School In what grade are you? 11^th What is your teacher's name? Ms. F. Hall What is your favorite food?  Friday Pasta from Taziki’s  What is your favorite day of the week? Friday Why? It’s the end of the school week. What is your favorite color?  Red What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you? Fourth Why do you enjoy dancing? It makes me feel good all over. What is your favorite song? Dance for You by Beyonce’ What is your favorite season? Fall What is your favorite movie? or What is the last movie you saw?  Malibu’s Most Wanted What is your favorite book? or What is the last book you read? Around the Way Girls Series What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas? Valentines’ Day Why? Because it’s about LOVE! If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Reading minds What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?) A therapist so that I can help people with their problems.

CHOCOLATE STARS OF THE WEEK!

 

Week of Sunday, October 7th, 2012

 

Demya Myrick

 What school do you attend?  Hueytown  In what grade are you?  7th  What is your favorite food?  Chicken  What is your favorite day of the week?  Friday  What is your favorite color?  Pink  What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you? 4th  Why do you enjoy dancing?  Because I get to be myself and sometimes you can tell a story through dance.  It also gives me lots of experience for new things and possibly a career.  What is your favorite song?  Turning Tables by Adele  What is your favorite season?  Fall/Winter  What is your favorite movie or the last movie you saw?  Jumping the Broom  What is your favorite book or the last book you read?  Watson's go to B'ham What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas?  Thanksgiving  Why? You get to think about what you are thankful for and you get to eat lots of turkey, ham and soul food.  If you could have one superpower, what would it be?  Invisibility What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?) A professional dancer.

 

 

 

 

Joshua Lynum

 

What school do you attend?  W.J.Christian K-8 School  In what grade are you?  5th  What is your teacher's name?  Mrs. Byrd  What is your favorite food?  Pizza  What is your favorite day of the week?  Friday  Why?  Because the weekend is next!  What is your favorite color?  Red  What year of participation in the Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you?  First  Why do you enjoy dancing?  I enjoy dancing because it helps me build muscles.  What is your favorite song?  I Smile  What is your favorite season?  Summer   What is your favorite movie or the last movie you saw?  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory  What is your favorite book or the last book you read?  Because of Winn Dixie  What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas?  Thanksgiving  Why?  Because I get to spend time with my family.  If you could have one superpower, wht would it be?  To fly.  What kind of career plans do you have?  (What do you want to be when you grow up?)  A teacher.  

ABOUT: LAVERNE REED

A LITTLE GIRL’S DISAPPOINTMENT SPAWNS

A CHRISTMAS MASTERPIECE:

The Birth of “The Chocolate Nutcracker”

 

(Birmingham, Alabama) – Christmastime is without doubt the most festive holiday of them all.  Along with the hustle-bustle of decorating and shopping, come a myriad of concerts, plays and musicals which help herald the joy of the season.  Since its Birmingham debut in 2009, Laverne Reed’s The Chocolate Nutcracker has become one of those anticipated events of the Christmas season.

As a young dancer, Laverne Reed grew up in South Philly in the 1950s taking small parts each year in the Balanchine version of The Nutcracker Ballet.  Although she was an extremely talented dancer, she was never cast as Claire, the lead role in the production.  It is well-known that this role is nearly always cast to Caucasian women.  As one might imagine, this was very disappointing for Reed to be overlooked as a matter of race rather than ability.  After years of disappointment, she decided that when she was older, she would change the way this part was cast.

 Reed introduced remarkable change to the classic ballet by creating a version which does not exclude any dancer on the basis of race, color, sex, size or even ability.  Though leading roles are cast according to those with greater proficiency, never are they cast according to the color of their skin.  Children, some as young as the age of 4, have performed with or without dance experience.  They all share the same stage in a way which allows everyone to “shine”.

Chocolate in the title does not denote segregation.  In the original Nutcracker, the main character, Clara is given a nutcracker as a gift.  In Reed’s production, chocolate refers specifically to the gift that the main character Claire receives as a gift at the Christmas party – a nutcracker made of Belgium Chocolate.  The storyline loosely follows the original version, but Claire’s dreams take her to locations which represent the variety of culture in our world.  And that is what makes this production a Christmas magnum opus.  It encourages instead of discourages.  It accepts instead of denies.  It takes a little girl’s exclusion and turns it into every child’s inclusion.  It is this story and the character of the performance which inspired Project Hopewell to present this to the Magic City.

ABOUT: Our Local Artistic Director, Jackie Lockhart

Jacqueline Crenshaw Lockhart, Owner/Artistic Director



Jacqueline Crenshaw Lockhart

Mrs. Lockhart is a native of Birmingham, Alabama and began studying dance at the age of 10 under Ms. Nancy Owen.  She graduated from the Alabama School of Fine Arts as a theater major and dance minor, thereafter she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Birmingham-Southern College in Dance.  One of her most inspiring opportunities was attending a six-week summer dance intensive at the renown Dance Theater of Harlem in New York City.

After working with local theater and dance companies such as the Nancy Owen Dancers, Town and Gown, UAB Bell Theater and the USFL Birmingham Stallions Dance Team (Fillies), she relocated to Atlanta, GA to further her career in the arts.  While in Atlanta, she worked professionally with Jomandi Theater Company, the Gary Harrison Dance Company and Atlanta Jazz Theater (to name a few).  Performing and teaching as a freelance artist afforded her the opportunity to dance and choreograph for the NBA Atlanta Hawks Dance Team, serve as a dance instructor in several of Atlanta's prominent schools and studios (Avondale School of the Arts, Norma's Dance Academy, Dance Gallery and Gotta Dance Studio).  She has choreographed and danced with national recording artists and labels such as Warner Bros., RCA and LaFace Records.  Recently, she choreographed for major events such as the Birmingham Chapter Links Debutante, the Greater Birmingham Community Foundation City renovation project; the NEXT BIG THING and currently the Local Artistic Director for the 2012 Chocolate Nutcracker production.

Mrs. Lockhart has shared her talents by training thousands of youth and adults.  One of her most endearing protege's was the youngest daughter of the late, great Curtis Mayfield.  Her accomplishments and contributions to the arts community have been acknowledged by the Birmingham City Council, Birmingham and Homewood Mayors, Govenor Bob Riley and Former Governor Don Siegleman.  She is a recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the 2005 Jack & Jill Birmingham Chapter Legacy Award, the 2004 EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION AWARD, a 2003 MAKE IT HAPPEN THEATER - WOMEN WHO CARE AWARD.  She was recognized by the Miles College Upward Bound student body with the MOST OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD.

In addition to being the owner of J. Lockhart Performing Arts Institute (PAI), she is the Ministry Director of the Sixth Avenue Baptist Youth Ministry for Christian Dance.  She is an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Birmingham-Southern College and served as the director of the dance program for the past two years.  Ms. Jackie is married to Bernard Lockhart and the mother of two beautiful children:  John Christian and Rachel Christianna.

www.paionline.info
More about Jackie

ABOUT - Project Hopewell, Inc. PHI

Project Hopewell, Inc. (PHI) was incorporated in 2002 and organized exclusively as a publicly supported faith-based, charity and education organization under the guidelines of the Federal Income Tax Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code as a non-profit organization. This organization was birthed from the vision of Dr. Edward E. Rodgers that people perish for a lack of knowledge, information, resources and opportunities. Today, the vision has transformed into a reality. A 126,871 sq ft Community Family Life Center was erected at 4817 Jefferson Avenue S.W. Building II – Birmingham, Alabama, in the Hillman Station Community at South West Birmingham as a safe haven where knowledge, information, resources and opportunities can be exchanged.

At the Community Family Life Center, educational, cultural, social and recreational programs and services are provided to enhance the quality of life for men, women, boys and girls. Programs and services include, but are not limited too: After School Educational Enrichment, Spring and Summer Day Camps for children and youth, Tutoring, Instruction in Performing Arts, Behavior Modification, Year Round Adult and Family Outreach, Adult Basic Education (pre-GED) preparation, Computer-Technology training, Health-Wellness and Life Skills seminars and workshops.

In addition to the programs and services offered at the Community Family Life Center, the center encompasses a full indoor basketball court gymnasium with a raised theatrical stage which can be used for sport activities, theatrical productions or large banquets and events. There is also an indoor walking track as well as meeting, party and reception rooms, a full service commercial kitchen and dining area.

The Community Family Life Center is an investment of faith for the renewal of family and community life. Its mission is to provide appropriate programs and services with accessible resources and opportunities that will enhance the quality of life for men, women, boys and girls. Project Hopewell, Inc. and the Community Family Life Center are for the purpose of serving people, affirming equality, validating improvement, and endorsing success.

We welcome you!

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Mission:
The Mission of Project Hopewell, Inc. is to provide an environment of programs and services with resources and opportunities that will enhance the quality of life for men, women, boys and girls.

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Purpose:
To strengthen families through comprehensive programs and assistance.
To serve people and improve their quality of life through education, training, recreation, health & wellness, finance and transportation.

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Goals:

Serve people.
A firm equality.
Validate improvement.
Endorse success.

 

www.ProjectHopewell.com

 

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Check your rehearsal schedules carefully to make sure you arrive on time.  The times change weekly!

Do you have:  1.  The proper attire?  2.  Proper footwear?  3.  Water or sports drink for hydration?  4.  A good attitude? 

If you answered yes to these four questions, you are off to a great rehearsal!!

RANDOM DANCE FACT #2

Pointe shoes add a minimum of seven inches of new height to a dancer.

COMING SOON! CHOCOLATE STARS OF THE WEEK

We want to celebrate our children and create a community of family by highlighting Chocolate Nutcracker participants each week.  Participants in the production are known for working hard at rehearsals, sacrificing time with their friends and family and weekends and committing themselves to the production in order to present what has become known in Birmingham as an awesome show. 

We can hardly wait to showcase our stars!  Be sure to get your form in at the next rehearsal. 

DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2012

RANDOM DANCE FACT #1...
A prima ballerina can complete 32 fouette turns, while staying in the exact same spot on the floor. After performing the turns, the tip of her pointe shoe will be hot to the touch!

Up First....AUDITIONS!



Project Hopewell, Inc. is excited to announce the fourth year of auditions in Laverne Reed’s The Chocolate Nutcracker.  In just a few days, amateur and professional dancers from across Jefferson and Shelby counties, will audition for parts in the holiday production which was originally presented by Project Hopewell to the Birmingham community in November of 2009.

Auditions will occur as follows:

 Saturday, August 25th
 Location:
HOPEWELL COMMUNITY LIFE CENTER
4817 Jefferson Ave S.W. Bldg II
Birmingham, AL  35211

Time               Ages                                                  

10:00 a.m.       5-6                                                   

11:00               7-8                                                     
12:30 p.m.       9-10                                                   

1:30                 11-12

2:30                 13 +

Sunday – August 26, 2012 (By Appointment Only)
ADVANCED Dancers for Principal Cast & Groups – Call to Schedule.

Advanced dancers will be required to perform a one minute piece for the audition and will be cast for all principal parts in the production.  Every genre of dance is encouraged to audition, whether hip-hop, jazz, ballet, modern, tap, African or liturgical.

There is an audition fee of $15 per participant which is due at registration.  All dancers are requested to wear dance attire and arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their scheduled audition times, as late arrivals will not be accommodated.

Questions?  Contact Mrs. Ava Wise, Director - Project Hopewell, Inc. at 205-902-0475.