Fall Family Festival Reaches Out to Youth and Seniors
Terra London and Linda Johnson
Published: October 30, 2009
GADC's Aurora Cruz (L) and Linda Johnson (R) pose with pre-schoolers from local daycare centers Building Blocks Learning Academy, Alpha Learning Center, Kids R First Learning Center, and Tina’s Treasure Child Care with performing artists Danzas Ceremoniales de Mexico (C).
Terra London
The Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) hosted its Bi-annual Fall Family Festival at the Thurgood Marshall Library on two crisp fall days this past October.
These days may not have offered much sunshine or warmth in the air, but once you entered the inside of the Library’s auditorium, a different story was told. The energy in the room was electrifying and contagious.
On their respective day, nearly 100 children and senior citizens smiled and laughed, dance, clapped and sang to live performances by renowned performing and musical artists.
Washington Park resident, Rick Singleton holds an African cloth with his 4 of his nephews as a 5th nephew admires sitting with Mama Kimosha, Artistic Director of Alyo Children’s Dance Theatre.
Terra London
On the first day, Danzas Ceremoniales de Mexico (national performing artists referred by arts icon, Urban Gateways), entertained pre-schoolers from local daycare centers with historical teachings of the Mexican–Indian Culture using hand-made musical instruments, traditional feathered headdress, song and dance.
These daycare centers included Building Blocks Learning Academy, Alpha Learning Center, Kids R First Learning Center, and Tina’s Treasure Child Care.
After seeing the flyer posted in his building, Washington Park resident, Rick Singleton, brought five of his seven nephews with him to the library. Although he is not a local resident, Mr. Singleton says, “It is extremely important to expose all of my nephews to cultural events in other communities.”
Mama Kimosha, Artistic Director of Alyo Children’s Dance Theatre, also introduced the pre-schoolers to African storytelling, traditional dance, and handmade instruments. Her talented use of the shekere and vibrant, interactive story about the “Dancing Hippo” encouraged lots of laughter by the children. Join us next year for this fun-filled event!
Two seniors dance and sing to the sounds of Johnny Drummer and the Starliters.
Ernest Sanders
On the second day of the Fall Festival over ninety of the finest senior citizens attended the popular bi-annual Senior Blues and Breakfast event.
With a hot n’ hearty breakfast catered by Ah’ La Romelle’s Catering, seniors were served and feasted on scrambled eggs, hash browns, grits, biscuits, bacon and sausage, pastries, orange juice and coffee.
While dining, seniors rocked to the smooth sounds of live blues performed by Johnny Drummer and the Starliters. Drummer of course was not a disappointment to the seniors as he entertained everyone with hit songs like, 'Shake a Hand, Make a Friend', ‘If You Going to Walk on My Love, Please Take Off My Shoes’, ‘I'm Gonna Sell My Cadillac and Buy Myself a Mule’, and ‘Rockin in the Juke Joint’.
Seniors arrived from all over; as close as Auburn Gresham and Englewood and as far away as south suburban Markham.
Mrs. Betty Basora from San Juan, Puerto Rico was in Chicago visiting family and was invited to attend. “It’s hard to believe that something this exciting and entertaining is happening at a library! Library’s are usually quiet, but today it’s vibrant and I am having a fantastic time!” One senior mentioned how this was a great end to the week and a good start to the rainy day.
Virginia Thomas (L) and her colleagues from Best Home Health Services, LLC, administer FREE professional healthcare screenings to seniors at the Family Fall Festival.
Ernest Sanders
The GADC staff, along with dedicated volunteers, continually displayed appreciation to the seniors by serving them the entire time, hand and foot. Some of our staff members even danced and ‘cut the rug’ with them.
Several t-shirts were given away in a free raffle, with a special give-away to the oldest senior in attendance, 85 year old Albert Garth. Returning sketch artist, Dan Montrel, provided free sketchings and Best Home Health Services, LLC provided free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings for everyone in attendance.
After hours of dancing and singing, seniors left with smiles on their faces and full tummies, looking forward to the next event scheduled for February 2010.