PERFORMANCE SEASON

HISTORY CULTURE CREATIVITY

thecarversa the carversa thecarvercenter thecarversa

Welcome to the 2014-2015 Performance Season! A fabulous and exciting season of superb artistic programming has been created, appealing to every individual who is passionate about the arts. Our new slogan History Culture Creativity speaks to who we are and our mission.

The Carver’s story began well over 100 years ago. Its history is rooted in a time of segregation and its existence is owed to a handful of community leaders that wanted to create a gathering place for San Antonio’s African American community. Thus was born the Colored Community House: a library, a social center and a place of refuge where the community could come together in times of celebration, as well as times of strife. Though the name has changed and many generations have passed through our doors, The Carver Community Cultural Center has remained such a place throughout its long and rich history. It has grown from those beginnings over a century ago into the thriving cultural and educational arts center that we know today. It is my privilege to lead this historic and iconic institution, to be part of its history, to build upon its legacy and ensure it remains vibrant, viable and accessible for many generations to come.

It is with this legacy in mind that we go about our work daily. Throughout the year, I, along with the Carver staff, work diligently to select the perfect artists to bring to our stages. This season’s roster of talent proves to be one of the most exemplary yet. Each is critically acclaimed and considered to be one of the best in their field. Each is known for their innovation and unique interpretation of their craft. Each possesses extraordinary talent and a deep passion for sharing their story. Collectively, they represent many cultures and a diverse array of genres including theatre, contemporary ballet, world music and dance, blues, jazz, big band and R&B. There truly is something for everyone.

Offering the best in artistic presentations is only part of our story. The Carver has a long been known for fostering an environment of learning and inclusion for our community by providing dynamic and challenging educational programs and outreach activities. It is our belief that everyone, regardless of age, race, religion or economic resource, should have access to the rich benefits participation in the arts provides. We dedicate ourselves to this belief by providing weekly visual and performing arts classes, art exhibits, artist residencies, master classes, summer camps, free youth performances and more…always at little to no cost to participants.

WELCOME TO THE 2014-2015 PERFORMANCE SEASON!

HISTORY CULTURE CREATIVITY

We continue to be a gathering place, a Community House of sorts, where people from all walks of life attain a sense of belonging and benefit from enjoying and participating in the arts. We look forward to continuing our legacy of providing experiences that inspire creativity and expression, connect people, celebrate cultures and support the well-being of our community.

Thank you to all our patrons, volunteers, donors and media partners for your continued support and encouragement. We hope this season encourages you to once again join us at The Carver, where History, Culture and Creativity come together.

Very sincerely yours,

YONNIE BLANCHETTE Executive Director

DIANNE REEVES PG 06 SATURDAY, OCT. 11, 2014. 8 PM

CARPETBAG THEATRE'S

SPEED KILLED MY COUSIN PG 08 FRIDAY & SATURDAY, NOV. 7 & 8, 2014. 8 PM

PEDRITO MARTINEZ PG 10 FRIDAY, DEC. 5, 2014. 8 PM

GREGORY PORTER PG 12 SATURDAY, DEC. 20, 2014. 8 PM

SEASON

VIJAY IYER PG 14 SATURDAY, JAN. 17, 2015. 8 PM

BILLY STRAYHORN CENTENNIAL CONCERT PG 16 SUNDAY, FEB. 8, 2015. 6 PM

COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET PG 18 SATURDAY, FEB. 21, 2015. 8 PM

TANGO BUENOS AIRES PG 20 SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2015. 8 PM

ROKIA TRAORÉ PG 22 SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015. 8 PM

HERITAGE BLUES ORCHESTRA PG 24 SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015. 8 PM

VALERIE SIMPSON PG 26 SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015. 8 PM

A NATURAL WONDER NOT TO BE MISSEDdiannereeves.com

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2014. 8PM, JO LONG THEATRE DIANNE REEVES is among the pre-eminent jazz vocalists in the world. Influenced by the sound of African, Caribbean, and Latin American music, Dianne Reeves is a superior interpreter of lyrics. In her first studio album in five years, Reeves delivers what is destined to become a soul-jazz classic. Beautiful Life is comprised of 12 songs that have touched Reeves’ spirit in different ways. This debut album on the Concord Records label delivers a broad appeal to jazz and non-jazz fans alike. The four-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist teamed with a stunning array of peers including duos with the soulful vocals of Gregory Porter and bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding who contributed “Wild Rose” which she wrote for Reeves.

More recently, Reeves has toured the world in a variety of contexts including a program entitled “Sing the Truth,” a musical celebration of Nina Simone. Adored by audiences and critics alike throughout the world, Dianne Reeves is a natural wonder not to be missed.

This performance is made possible through generous funding from the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts.

"She has one of the most powerful, purposeful and accurate voices of this or any time"

~ Wynton Marsalis

She roams and explores, growls and catches at notes and phrasings. It is this audacity that makes Reeves’ voice an awesome instrument."

~ People Magazine

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CARPETBAG THEATRE'S

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 & 8, 2014. 8PM, THE LITTLE CARVER SPEED KILLED MY COUSIN is a timely, moving new play about an African American woman soldier who returns from Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The story unfolds as Debra, the main character, drives down the Long Island Expressway (L.I.E.) in New York. As she struggles with flashbacks and memories, she tries to talk with her father about his experiences in the Vietnam war, and is visited by his cousin -- a Vietnam veteran who died mysteriously in a car crash shortly after his return. She also remembers her mother, and the women she left behind in Iraq, some of whom did not survive. Memories and flashbacks unfold before her, and in her rear-view mirror, as she drives. Ultimately she must decide whether to let go of the wheel, or to choose life.

Since 1969, CBT has told stories of empowerment, celebrated African American culture and revealed hidden stories. Speed Killed my Cousin is written by Linda Parris-Bailey, directed by Andrea Assaf and features ensemble members Ashley Wilkerson, Bert Tanner, Linda Parris-Bailey and Starr Releford.

Mature subject matter and language. Recommended for ages 16 and above.

Carver Community Cultural Center is a NPN Partner of the National Performance Network (NPN). This project is made possible in part by support from the NPN Performance Residency Program. Major contributors include the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ford Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency). For more information: www.npnweb.org.

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A TIMELY, MOVING NEW PLAYcarpetbagtheatre.org

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AUDACIOUSLY INVENTIVE

pedritomartinezmusic.com

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014. 8PM, JO LONG THEATREPEDRITO MARTINEZ, the audaciously inventive Cuban percussionist, was born Pablo “Pedrito” Martinez in Havana, Cuba. As a bandleader, Martinez has developed a captivating sound planted firmly in Afro-Cuban rumba tradition and in the batá rhythms and vocal chants of the music of Yorùbá and Santería but, also influenced by North American rhythmic currents, an approach that The New York Times described as “complex, blenderized Africa-to-the-New-World funk.” In the past 12 years, Martinez has performed, recorded and /or toured with Paquito D’Rivera, Brian Lynch, Joe Lovano, Sting (for his rainforest benefit, with Elton John and Bruce Springsteen), and numerous others.

Pedrito has also lent his talents to over 100 records; collaborations between Paquito D’ Rivera, Conrad Herwig, Edie Brickell are only a few. Six of these records have been Grammy nominated and one, a collaboration between Eddie Palmieri and Brian Lynch, called Simpatico, was awarded a Grammy. With his passion and love of music and percussion, Pedrito is sure to take Afro-Cuban sounds to greater heights.

"If anyone can move Afro-Cuban music into greater visibility it’s Martinez."

~ The New Yorker

"…. when his drums, singing and writing are the focus – he’s an incomparable performer."

~ Ben Ratliff, New York Times

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2014. 8PM, JO LONG THEATREGREGORY PORTER, the powerful baritone voice who writes his own music, is deemed “The Soul Poet” by DownBeat Magazine. Porter sang gospel music in church as a youth, worked in theater, wrote his own musical, Nat King Cole and Me, before twenty years of artistic persistence would pay off. After appearing at the legendary jazz club, St. Nick’s Pub in Harlem, his career took a meteoric rise.

Porter emerged with two award winning albums. Be Good and Liquid Spirit; Be Good being awarded the best traditional R&B performance in 2012 and Liquid Spirit a Grammy in 2014 for Best Jazz Vocal Album. The Kangol hat-wearing, Brooklyn-based singer has been compared to Donny Hathaway, Bill Withers and Lou Rawls. Porter's music draws heavily from blues, jazz, R&B and most especially, gospel; his music embraces the struggle between joy and pain. His mentors were his mother, who had an operatic voice, and the elderly east Bakersfield preachers who oversaw the church choirs where he grew up. It was those little churches which Porter credits with building his character and his musical foundation. With such a gifted soul voice, he makes jazz accessible even to people that usually cannot relate to it.

BRILLIANT NEW VOICE OF JAZZgregoryporter.com

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"The brilliant new voice of jazz"

~ The Huffington Post

"Liquid Spirit is shot through with gospel, blues and R&B influences… the title track pairs soulful horns with a deep, enveloping bass line that frames the California native’s supple tenor."

~ Wall Street Journal

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"One of the most interesting and vital young pianists in jazz today"

~ Pitchfork

"One of the world’s most inventive new-generation jazz pianists"

~ Guardian (UK)

BEST IN THE WORLDvijayiyer.com

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2015. 8PM, JO LONG THEATREGrammy-nominated jazz pianist, composer, bandleader and MacArthur Fellow, VIJAY IYER is regarded by Pitchfork as “one of the best in the world at what he does.” Iyer, a highly accomplished artist, bridges the avant-garde with the mainstream, composes classical arrangements yet loves improvisation.

This year has been an exceptional one for Iyer. March 2014 marked the release of Mutations, Iyer’s eighteenth album and his debut for the prestigious ECM label: a recording for piano, string quartet and electronics, the first album to document his works for chamber ensembles. He also began a permanent appointment at Harvard University’s Department of Music as the Franklin D. and Florence Rosenblatt Professor of the Arts. Other recent honors include a 2012 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, an unprecedented “quintuple crown” in the 2012 Down Beat International Critics Poll (winning Jazz Artist of the Year, Pianist of the Year, Jazz Album of the Year, Jazz Group of the Year, and Rising Star Composer categories), a “quadruple crown” in the JazzTimes extended critics poll (winning Artist of the Year, Acoustic/Mainstream Group of the Year, Pianist of the Year, and Album of the Year), the Pianist of the Year Awards for both 2012 and 2013 from the Jazz Journalists Association, and the 2013 ECHO Award (the “German Grammy”) for best international pianist.

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THE BOSS OF THE ARRANGERSbillystrayhorn.com

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015. 6PM, JO LONG THEATREYou have heard the elegance and felt the passion of his music, recorded by artists in every generation. The genius of BILLY STRAYHORN (1915-1967) has charmed the world for over 75 years. His compositions include “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Johnny Come Lately,” “Chelsea Bridge,” “Something to Live For,” and “Lush Life.” The recordings featuring his music number in the thousands.

Billy Strayhorn’s achievements grew from a classical background formed in his music classes at Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh. His career as an arranger, composer and pianist has been written about by David Hajdu in his bestselling biography, Lush Life. Billy Strayhorn charted new and sophisticated directions in the jazz world and beyond. His career started and ended with Duke Ellington but his impact went beyond the shadow of this collaboration. Today his music is known and performed from classical orchestras to rumba dance bands. Billy Strayhorn stands on his own as a musical master of the 20th century who is still an influence in the 21st.

A full program of his music is performed live by John Magaldi and the Primetime Orchestra.

"Billy Strayhorn wrote Multicolored Blue. Billy to me is the boss of the arrangers"

~ Quincy Jones

"All those sevenths --- man, I never heard anything like those things until him."

~ Dizzy Gillespie

CENTENNIAL CONCERT

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015. 8PM, JO LONG THEATREOver the past twenty years COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET has awed audiences with a mix of styles and cultures that was created to combine a new idea of human movement and exciting vision. The company’s vision is that dance should be about removing boundaries and not reinforcing traditions of a single style, period, venue or culture. Complexions will reflect the movement of the world and all its constituent cultures as a connected whole and not a separate being.

Having previously been with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Co-Artistic Directors, Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson created Complexions as an institution of embodiment, “where those passionate about dance can celebrate its past while simultaneously building its future.” Complexions has continued to be a witness to a fluid and more interchangeable world since its birth in 1994 and has won numerous awards including the New York Times “Critics Choice” award. The company has appeared in numerous dance festivals throughout the U.S. and Europe. In the 20 years since its inception, the company has witnessed a world that is becoming more fluid, more changeable, and more culturally interconnected than ever before.

"Brilliant! Flowing with undeniable power."

~ Los Angeles Times

"It’s a gorgeous troupe of dynamic dancers possessed of dazzling strength, androgynous elegance, funky style, and first-rate contemporary ballet technique. These dancers can do anything."

~ Backstage

CONTEMPORARY BALLET

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FLOWING WITH UNDENIABLE POWERcomplexionsdance.org

CONTEMPORARY BALLET

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"...repeatedly crafted swirling, fast-paced tapestries of movement, laced with proud postures and sensual couplings."

~ The Washington Post

"Argentine tango is one of the most electrifying of dance traditions, and Tango Buenos Aires presents it with blazing artistry."

~ Sacramento Press

BLAZING ARTISTRYcami.com

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SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2015. 8PM, JO LONG THEATRETANGO BUENOS AIRES has become one of Argentina’s great cultural exports, known throughout the Americas, Europe and the Far East as the most authentic and uncompromising representative of the tango. The Argentine Tango has a mixture of African and Spanish antecedents and also a strong influence from the Argentine milonga which is sung by Guachos, the Argentine “cowboys.” In its beginnings, the tango was an ill-famed dance, being very fashionable in dance halls and cabarets and also because the choreography called for the couple to hold each other very close. Tango choreography allows for a lot of creativity, requiring breaks in the rhythm and perfect coordination between the dances.

The tango’s constant companion is the piano, although it has been accompanied by the violin, guitar and flute. Nowadays, the most typical instrument is the bandoneón which is an accordion similar to the concertina.

BLAZING ARTISTRYcami.com

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SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015. 8PM, JO LONG THEATREOne of the most inventive female singer/songwriters in Africa today is ROKIA TRAORÉ. Her breakthrough came when she was hailed as the “African Discovery of 1997” by Radio France Internationale after playing at the Angoleme Festival in France. Traoré is known for her powerful and emotional voice but also for the sheer variety of her work. She shows three different aspects of Malian music culture by using the acoustic Damou (Dream), the bluesy Donguili (Sing), and the rock-influenced Donke (Dance). Traoré explains that she does not intend to imitate styles of other musicians and wants to create something extraordinary. In 2003, she was awarded the prestigious BBC Radio 3 World Music Award. Her 2009 album Tchamantche, reflected her new fascination with the Gretsch electric guitar which won her a a Victoires De La Musique (French equivalent of a U.S. Grammy).

"She remains a real original."

~ The Observer (UK)

A REAL ORIGINAL

rokiatraore.net

"The Malian singer Rokia Traoré has a gentle voice with a steely core, one that’s revealed more clearly than ever on Beautiful Africa."

~ New York Times

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"And Still I Rise, the debut album from the Heritage Blues Orchestra, whose ambitious name reflects its intention to make up-to-the-minute music that draws upon the glorious past of African-American genres."

~ NPR Music

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015. 8PM, JO LONG THEATREListen to The HERITAGE BLUES ORCHESTRA and what awaits you is a musical intermingling of sounds and styles so typical of the group. At the heart of it is a broad spectrum of the New Orleans sounding blues combined with remnants of Southern gospel and European sounds. This musical blending between America and Europe brings together African-American music, modern jazz and western European harmony into one unforgettable sound that gives Heritage Blues Orchestra its authenticity.

The group consists of a core trio of Junior Mack and Bill & Chaney Sims (father and daughter). Junior and Bill play guitar, and all three trade-off vocal duties. The Heritage Blues Orchestra is driven by its musicians: Grammy-awarding winning blues drummer Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, Frenchman Vincent Bucher, and Bruno Willheim which are some of New York City’s heaviest horn players, having worked with everyone from Wynton Marsalis to Sting and Springsteen. Signed to Raisin Music as of 2012, the band released its debut album, And Still I Rise which features traditional blues material with a modern twist to its sound. The result is magnificent!

“The musicians are talented, the arrangements are done with imagination and great care, and the music is sublime.”

~ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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THE MUSIC IS SUBLIMEheritagebluesorchestra.com

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SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015. 8PM, JO LONG THEATRE Known for her partnership with Nikolas Ashford in one of the most celebrated songwriting duos of all time, “Ashford and Simpson,” VALERIE SIMPSON has remained an iconic singer and songwriter beside Ashford since the mid-1960s. Writing and composing well known songs such as Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman,” Marvin Gaye’s “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing,” and “Ain't No Mountain High Enough,” sung by Dianna Ross, Ashford and Simpson are most known for their duet “Solid As a Rock,” which reached the top of international music charts in 1984.

After loosing her husband Nikolas to cancer in 2011, Simpson returned “solid as a rock” to the stage with the positively reviewed album Dinosaurs are Coming Back. Even though it took 11 years to release, Simpson explains it’s what her husband would have wanted. The album is about coming to terms with certain feelings -- loss, desire, unrequited love, positivity, and self-acceptance. Valerie Simpson is a member of ASCAPs board of directors and also serves on the ASCAPs Foundation where she assisted in establishing an award to aid struggling songwriters called "Reach Out and Touch." The award was created to honor her deceased husband, and hopefully make the world a better place.

“Valerie Simpson has got a solid solo act. She sounded strong and sultry”

- San Francisco Examiner

“Simpson has since realized that the music she and her husband created is now a legacy”

- Examiner.com

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AN ICONIC SINGER AND SONGWRITER

valerie simpson.net

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SCHEDULE

OCTOBER 2014 Margarita Benavides, Connie Armbruster & Livia Istrate: Baby Boomers at Work Three talented women artists came together through their love of art. This is a collection of their newest art pieces.

NOVEMBER 2014Texas Pastel Society: Texas Treasures The Texas Pastel Society hosts its second regional show featuring original pastel paintings done by over thirty Texas artists. Adjudicating artist is Kathleen Cook.

DECEMBER 2014Laura Thompson: Inner City Expressions A photo exhibit of inner city SAISD elementary school children doing what they love: reading! The artist has captured thousands of photos of children reading out in the community, sharpening their reading skills, acquiring a love for literacy, and becoming a positive light in the community.

JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2015 Martin Luther King Jr. Exhibit This annual exhibit features some of San Antonio’s finest artists. Each artist using their own style and mediums will create works celebrating and inspired by the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

CARVER GALLERY

The Gallery is an essential part of the Carver identity, providing local and regional artists with gallery space to present engaging, avant-garde artwork. The Carver strives to showcase work that the community will find relevant and meaningful, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of conventionality. We invite interested artists who want to take advantage of this opportunity to contact us to schedule a gallery exhibition.

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MARCH 2015Sarah Brooke Lyons From Africa to Brazil to New York to the Hill Country, Sarah Brooke Lyons strives to capture the essence of a culture through photography.

APRIL 2015 Spare Parts presents Fiesta WreathsFiesta Wreaths reflects the vibrant aesthetic of San Antonio's celebration and tradition while confronting our city's messy side. Wreaths exhibited are made from creatively reused and beautifully repurposed materials that will challenge one's perspectives about what our community discards daily.

MAY 2015Carver School of Visual and Performing Arts Students of all ages who study in the various visual arts programs of the Carver School of Visual & Performing Arts will exhibit their works in painting, drawing, collage, ceramics and other mediums.

JUNE 2015Katrina Gorman: More than My Words Can Say Since 2001, Katrina Gorman has created art through the medium of fabric that not only tells a story, but draws attention with the feeling of a connection more than words can say. Her work has been featured on HGTV and received exposure at the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta.

JULY & AUGUST 2015Texas Artist Connection Six professional artists from Houston and Austin have been paired with six UTSA art students. Over a year-long artist mentorship program, these artists will work together in creating professional development skills as well as collaborative projects. Work will include drawings, paintings, sculpture, installations and new media works. Artists include: Nathaniel Donnett, Robert Hodge, Matt Manalo, Eduardo Portillo, Tony Parana, Michael Anthony Garcia, Sarah Fox, Kallie Pfeiffer, Alan Serna, Jose Cardenas, Justin Korver, and Adrienne Cullins. Curated by Raul Gonzalez, founder of the Texas Artist Connection.

SEPTEMBER 2015The Women of San Antonio Photography Exhibition When asked what they want to be when they grow up, young women tend to say, “a princess,” because it is the image most commonly seen in their movies and books. A young teenage woman will say they want to be a mother because this is who they see daily and look up to. San Antonio is the home of women healers, artists, revolutionaries, mothers, politicians, teachers, philanthropists, health care professionals, athletes and forward-thinkers. This exhibit documents these women in all of their glory with stunning photography that captures their spirit and energy, seen through the photographic and personal lens of women photographers. The vision of this exhibition is to capture, liberate and inform her viewers of the “her” in San Antonio history. Co-curated by Anel I. Flores and Sarah Castillo.

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MASTER CLASSES AND RESIDENCIES

Master Classes and Residencies at The Carver are designed to make the artists we present each season more accessible to the community. Educational opportunities abound, from simply learning more about the artist’s work, to demonstrations and workshops held on site and at public schools around San Antonio.

Carpetbag TheatreRESIDENCY: NOVEMBER 2-8, 2014The Carpetbag Theatre, Inc. (CBT), founded in 1969, is a professional, multi-generational ensemble company dedicated to the production of new works. Their mission is to give artistic voice to the issues and dreams of people who have been silenced by racism, classism, sexism and other forms of oppression. CBT serves communities by returning their stories to them with honesty, dignity, and concern for the aesthetic of that particular community. During their weeklong residency, CBT will conduct story circles, digital storytelling workshops and other outreach activities with veterans, active military and the larger community. The week will culminate in the performances of the original theatrical work, Speed Killed My Cousin.

Carver Community Cultural Center is a NPN Partner of the National Performance Network (NPN). This project is made possible in part by support from the NPN Performance Residency Program. Major contributors include the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ford Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency). For more information: www.npnweb.org.

Jazz ReachMASTER CLASS: MAY 18, 2015 AT 6:00PM - $15RESIDENCY: MAY 18-22, 2015 Established in 1994, JazzReach is a nationally recognized New York city-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion, performance, creation and teaching of jazz music. Through the presentation of innovative, widely acclaimed live multi-media educational programs for young audiences, captivating main-stage concerts for general audiences and informative clinics and master-classes for student musicians and ensembles, JazzReach is steadfastly dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation, awareness and understanding of this rich, vital, ever-evolving American art form. Their dynamic, innovative programs have triumphantly served over 255,000 young people nationwide in partnership with many of America’s most prominent performing arts presenters.

Carver Community Cultural Center is a NPN Partner of the National Performance Network (NPN). This project is made possible in part by support from the NPN Performance Residency Program. Major contributors include the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ford Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency). For more information: www.npnweb.org.

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MASTER CLASSES AND RESIDENCIES SUMMER CAMPS

School may be out, but The Carver is full of youthful energy each summer as children from around San Antonio and South Texas make it a tradition to attend our fine arts camps. Through the support of the Carver Development Board and community partners, children get the opportunity to learn and enjoy multicultural art forms under the direction of professional artists from across Texas, all at a tremendous value!

Summer Theatre Camp (ages 6-18)With The Renaissance GuildJUNE 8-26, 2015 (M-F; 8 AM – 4 PM)The three-week theatre camp offers elementary through high school students an opportunity to develop and strengthen acting, choreography, and vocal skills. The camp features two concurrent camps for different age groups, both culminating in a final performance on the Carver Jo Long Theatre stage.TUITION : $175 For the Complete Theatre Camp (3 weeks)

Summer Dance Intensive (ages 8-18)With the Dallas Black Dance TheatreJULY 13-24, 2015 (M-F; 8 AM – 4 PM)Every summer, over 40 students aged 8-18, participate in a two-week dance intensive led by the legendary Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Students explore modern, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, and African dances, resulting in a performance on the Carver Jo Long Theatre stage. TUITION: $175 For the Complete Dance Intensive (2 weeks)

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COMMUNITY CLASSES

CSVPA Community Classes provide exposure to cultural traditions and legacies and expand opportunities students have to enhance their artistic talents. Classes are offered for all ages and are eight weeks long.

FALL SESSION: October 4, 2014 – November 22, 2014

WINTER SESSION: January 10, 2015 – February 28, 2015

SPRING SESSION: March 21, 2015 – May 16, 2015

SUMMER SESSION: June 13, 2015 – August 8, 2015

Tuition is $50.00 per session. Semesters are eight (8) weeks long. To register or for more information, please visit our website at www.theCarver.org or call Philip Castillo, Education Coordinator, at 210.207.2719.

SCHOOL OF VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

African Drumming (ages 5 through adults)SATURDAYS 12 PM – 1 PMStudents will explore the amazing rhythms and drumming techniques of the djembe drum from West Africa, conga drums, bongo drums, Dum-Dum drums, shakers, ago-go bell, and more. Students are welcome to bring their own hand drum.

Art for Children (ages 7+)SATURDAYS, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AMFrom painting, drawing, origami, puppet making, to jewelry making, and more, children participating in our art class will explore various art techniques, all the while infusing culture and their own creativity.

Beginning Ballet I (ages 3-4) SATURDAYS, 10 AM – 11 AMChildren new to the art of ballet will learn basic terminology, stretching techniques, postures, and dance positions. Barre work and technique are also taught.

Beginning Ballet II (ages 5-7)SATURDAYS 11 AM – 12 PMClassic techniques and instruction from Ballet I are covered in this class. Barre work, technique, and choreography are more complex.

Intermediate Ballet (ages 8-14) SATURDAYS, 12 PM – 1 PMClassic techniques and instruction from both Ballet I & II are covered in this class. Barre work, technique, and choreography are more complex.

The Carver School of Visual and Performing Arts (CSVPA) provides community-based arts classes, summer camps, educator workshops, master classes, and artist residencies, which offer children and adults an opportunity to work with a variety of media – art, dance, music, theater, and more. As the sole caretakers of African and African-American arts in South Texas, the Carver Community Cultural Center is in a unique position to provide arts experiences celebrating various cultures throughout the Carver School of Visual and Performing Arts.

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Capoeira I (ages 5 through adults) SATURDAYS, 10 AM – 11 AMPerfect for beginners and fun for the whole family, this energetic, rhythmic dance from Brazil combines martial arts, gymnastics, and Brazilian musical traditions.

Capoeira II (ages 7 through adults) SATURDAYS, 11 AM – 12 PMGraduates of Capoeira I and those with previous experience are invited to explore this amazing tradition at a deeper level.

Ceramics (ages 12 through adults)SATURDAYS, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PMStudents will create a variety of sculptural forms utilizing basic handbuilding techniques. Students will also be introduced to glazing techniques.

Guitar for Beginners (ages 8 through adults) SATURDAYS, 10 AM – 11 AMBring your acoustic guitar for this basic introduction that covers music reading and theory, chords, notes in first position, jazz, and rhythm guitar playing through familiar songs.

Praise Dance (ages 15+)SATURDAYS, 9 AM –10 AMPraise Dance is an expression of joy, interpreted from traditional, modern ballet, to lyrical and hip-hop dancing utilizing praise music.

Theatre for Children (ages 6-18), SATURDAYS, 10 AM – 11:30 AMOur theatre classes focus on teaching basic acting, vocal, and dance techniques. These classes are geared towards beginners and seasoned performers alike. Students create work along with our instructors in a creative process style to nurture imaginative play.

West African Dance (ages 7 through adults) SATURDAYS, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PMBlending traditional technique with modern and contemporary dance elements, participants in this highly energetic and aerobic class will explore the different cultural aspects of West African dance as well as build an understanding of how these dances have influenced other dance styles, such as hip hop and jazz.

The above schedule is subject to change based on enrollment and interest in additional classes.

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Ile Bahia Capoeira OCTOBER 17, 2014 @ 11 AMCapoeira, brought to Brazil by African slaves, is a unique art form that combines elements of martial arts, dance and acrobatics performed to the background of Brazilian instruments and music. Students will not only be thrilled by the agility, precision and power of the dancers and movements, but will also explore the rich historical significance of the 500 year old art form.

YOUTH MATINEE SERIES

Anuradha Naimpally presents Moving Myths of India NOVEMBER 14, 2014 @ 11 AMIn this beautiful interactive performance, audiences of all ages learn about India with the telling of traditional stories through live music and dance. Ms Naimpally, appearing in colorful costume, explains the origins of the dance and continues with hand gestures, rhythms, customs, and language. Audience members participate by clapping out beats, creating scenes through hand symbols, and speaking key words from the stories. Each unique musical instrument is introduced and demonstrated to show how they create their distinct sound. Experience India through its delightful stories, music, and movement! Mad River Theater Works presents Freedom Bound JANUARY 21, 2015 @ 11 AMFreedom Bound is an original play with music that tells the tale of the most important incident in the history of the Underground Railroad in Ohio. The show follows the story of Addison White, a slave who escaped from Kentucky and traveled the Railroad north to the small town of Mechanicsburg, OH. There, he was befriended by a farmer named Udney Hyde. He lived in Hyde’s barn, working for his meals by day and learning to read and write with the help of Hyde’s daughter, Amanda, by night. Freedom Bound uses drama and music, as well as riddles and rhyme, to create characters that emerge from the past and bring the Underground Railroad to life right before your eyes.

The Carver Youth Matinee Series is dedicated to bringing the excitement and stimulation of these free professional productions into the lives of young people in our community. All matinees are geared at school age children; however, they are open to the public and will be enjoyable for all ages.

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Lannaya Drum and Dance Ensemble present The Rhythm and Movement of West Africa FEBRUARY 13, 2015 @ 11 AMThroughout the course of this exciting program, Lannaya performers demonstrate and explain the origins of a variety of traditional West African instruments, including the djembé drum, djun djun and that the style of an instrument, along with materials used, are dependent on the local environment. Within African culture, as in many other cultures, rhythm and music are a large part of daily life. Songs and dances complement living---from the mundane to the major. Ancient, traditional stories are characterized via live drumming and dance to recognize and celebrate occasions and milestones, including: courtship and marriage, children’s rites of passage, childbirth, nature, planting and harvesting crops, hunting, and the sheer joy of creative movement.

Guadalupe Dance Company presents Viva Mi Cultura MARCH 20, 2015 @ 11 AMViva Mi Cultura is a one-hour lecture demonstration featuring members of the Guadalupe Dance Company presenting the traditional dances, costumes and music of Mexico. The lively performance gives audiences the opportunity to interact with the dancers while emphasizing the cultural value of traditional Mexican dance. Audiences are invited to participate in a question and answer session, and will also have the opportunity to join in with a mini dance class.

The Renaissance Guild presents More African Folktales April 10, 2015 @ 11 AMThe art of storytelling is an ancient and rich tradition throughout the continent of Africa. It was through these stories that beliefs, mythology, cultural identity, history, and community values were passed down through generations and preserved. The Renaissance Guild will engage the imagination as they bring to life some of the most loved traditional folktales, which celebrate the rich history of various African countries and the Americas, as well as explore how many of these stories are reimagined throughout history and other cultures. JazzReach presents ELLINGTON! MAY 21, 2015 @ 11 AMELLINGTON! is a highly engaging, interactive live multi-media educational program that aims to illuminate the rich, vital legacy of the great American composer, pianist and bandleader, Duke Ellington. One of the most prolific, celebrated musicians in music history, Duke Ellington's canon comprises a timeless, highly personal aural account of both, the human condition and African-American experience of the 20th century.

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THE CARVER HISTORY

AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, when the public library system was segregated, a Colored Library Association was organized by east side civic leaders to provide library services for the east side African-American community. The Association managed the Colored Community House, which was a library, social center and refuge from flooding that plagued the area. In 1905, J. A. Grumbles, president of the Colored Library Association, successfully petitioned the War Services Board for funds to construct an assembly building that could be used by African-American soldiers and civilians in San Antonio.

The new facility, built next to the Community House, soon became a thriving cultural and educational center for the African-American community. When Grumbles died in the early 1920s, the City of San Antonio retired outstanding notes on the property and became its owner. The Colored Library Association continued to manage both the library and the assembly hall.

In 1929, new facilities were constructed with a $75,000 appropriation from a city bond issue. Mayor C. C.Chambers dedicated the building as the Colored Library Auditorium at its opening in April 1930. The building was renamed the Carver Library Auditorium, in honor of George Washington

Carver, in 1938. Until the late 1950s, the center was a focal point for educational, cultural, political and social activities for San Antonio’s African-American community. Nationally-acclaimed artists, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton, Paul Robeson, Louis Armstrong, Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Cab Calloway and Billy Eckstein, performed at the center. Debutante balls were held, plays performed, political forums organized and high school graduations celebrated. The African-American community, prevented from joining San Antonio’s mainstream social, cultural and educational life by segregation, created its own cultural center.

Desegregation, changing housing patterns and inadequate maintenance of buildings led to closure of the library in the late 1960s. During the next decade, a number of east side civic, social and political leaders would appear before City officials to encourage restoration of the building. The City’s attempt to demolish it in 1973 resulted in a group of clients and employees of the United Citizens Project Planning andOperating Committee (UCPPOC) led by its director, Ms. Norva Hill, to lie down in front of bulldozers until the mayor rescinded the demolition order. After negotiations, the building lease was awarded to Hill and the UCPPOC and renovation finally began.

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The newly renovated building opened in 1976 as the Carver Community Cultural Center, with the City of San Antonio again assuming its ownership and management. City officials expanded the center’s mission, mandating that the Carver would be a multiethnic and multicultural performing and visual arts center. A secondary mandate made for the provision of affordable rental facilities for community activities.

The Carver Community Cultural Center’s mission includes educational and community outreach for the City’s east side and the broader San Antonio area. In 2007, the Center was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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RENTAL INFORMATION

Nestled on the east side just minutes from the heart of our historic downtown San Antonio, the Carver Community Cultural Center plays host to weddings, private parties, concerts, plays and recitals. With two unique and beautiful venues, the Carver Community Cultural Center can accommodate an array of social and cultural events and will work to meet your specific needs.

THE JO LONG THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

A 650 seat proscenium theatre offers comfortable seating in an intimate and inviting setting. With excellent acoustics and sightlines, the Jo Long Theatre houses a stage 38’ wide and 30’ deep. Three individual dressing rooms, two large chorus rooms, green room, dance studio, scenic shop and full kitchen, The Jo Long Theatre has everything you need to bring the vision for your event to life.

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THE LITTLE CARVER CIVIC CENTER

This intimate, multi-purpose, adaptable space offers a beautiful backdrop to any smaller event. With a maximum capacity of 150, The Little Carver can be configured in a myriad of ways…from a black box theatre to cabaret seating to banquet tables to meeting configurations. The options are limitless! The Little Carver is ideally suited for smaller theatricals and concerts, receptions, banquets and meetings.

Both The Jo Long Theatre and The Little Carver offer high production values, in-house sound and lighting equipment, box office services and other excellent amenities. The professional and helpful staff and very affordable rental rates make either venue an ideal setting for your event.

For more information, please visit The Carver’s website at www.thecarver.org

To schedule a tour or inquire about date availability, rental policies and rates, please contact Leticia Velazquez at (210) 207-7215 or leticia.velazquez@sanantonio.gov.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ON CREATING THE EVENT OF YOUR DREAMS!

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CARVER DEVELOPMENT BOARD

MISSION

The mission of the Carver Community Cultural Center is to celebrate the diverse cultures of our world, nation, and community, with emphasis on its African and African-American heritage, by providing challenging artistic presentations, community outreach activities, and educational programs. The Carver Development Board is a 501©3 organization whose mission is to undertake fundraising activities and to provide financial, programming, and advisory support to the Carver Community Cultural Center.

BOARD OFFICERS

Melanie Cowart, Chair

Mark Wittig, Vice Chair

Sarah McLornan, Secretary

Seymour Battle III, Treasurer

Jelynne LeBlanc Burley, Immediate Past Chair

MEMBERSRobert Clemons

Ruth Dalrymple

Janice Dolliole

Yasan Gooding

Danielle Hargrove

Larry Jackson

Kenneth Matthews

Marques Mitchell

Valerie Taylor

Pamula J. Thomas

PRESIDENT EMERITUSBetty Green

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DIRECTIONS The Carver Community Cultural Center is located on the right at the corner of Center Street and North Hackberry. The Little Carver Civic Center is behind the Carver Center.

FROM IH-37, take the Commerce Street exit and head east on Commerce Street. Take a left on North Hackberry.

FROM THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, travel east on Market to Hackberry,at Hackberry, turn left. Go through light at Commerce. Carver is 2 blocks down on the Right. OR Travel east on Houston to Hackberry, at Hackberry, turn right. Carver is two blocks down on the Left.

FROM NORTHWEST SAN ANTONIO, travel Loop 410 west to the Hwy 281 exit (same as Mc Allister Frwy), travel south on Hwy 281 and continue to the Commerce exit. Left on Commerce. the second street light is Hackberry, at Hackberry turn left, Carver is 2 blocks down on the right.

FROM NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO, travel IH-35 South, exit New Braunfels Ave, at New Braunfels turn left. Travel through 2 traffic lights. The third light is Houston. At Houston turn right. travel through 1 light. The second light is Hackberry, turn left. Carver is 2 blocks down on left.

PARKINGParking is available in the Carver Administration, Carver Academy and St. Paul UMC parking lots. Additional parking is available along Center Street.

THE CARVER COMMUNITY CULTURAL CENTER226 N. Hackberry, San Antonio, TX 78202

The Little Carver Civic Center

U.S. 281& IH-37

E Crockett

Robinson PlPaso Hondo St

Gibbs St

N H

ackberry St

N M

esquite St

E Commerce St

N O

live St

Center St

VENUE LOCATION

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SEAT CAMPAIGN

Since 1929, people have taken a seat at the Carver to witness everything from their loved ones’ high school graduations to their children’s first play – not to mention the best of the performing arts. We need your help in making those seats, and the entire Carver Community Cultural Center, available to our community forever. In recognition of your tax-deductible participation in the Carver Seat Campaign, a plaque with your name will be permanently and prominently displayed on one of the 650 seats of the Jo Long Theatre. Help us restore the jewel of San Antonio’s east side – the beloved Carver Community Cultural Center.

For your sponsorship of $1,000, you will receive:

• Plaque with name of sponsor on the seat• Sponsors will be mentioned in all program booklets• 100% tax-deductible contribution

For more information, call (210) 207-7211or visit thecarver.org/donation to donate online.

BE A PART OF THE CARVER FAMILY

PRUDENCE CURRY

Prudence Curry was the librarian of the original Colored Community House and of the Carver Library Auditorium. In a time of official segregation, Mrs. Curry’s leadership and courage helped to ensure that young African Americans found hope through the world of books. Nearly three generations of San Antonians were inspired by her love of learning and her commitment to help the young succeed. Membership in the Prudence Curry Society will help the Carver Development Board (CDB) meet the expenses related to the Carver’s educational programs.

The Carver Development Board welcomes tax deductible gifts of any size:

• Corporate/Organization - $500 to $10,000• Individual $1000 to $1,500 and above

Your contribution is 100% tax deductible.

For more information, call (210) 207-7211or visit thecarver.org online.

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SEASON SUBSCRIBER INFO

By becoming a season subscriber, you can get even more out of your experience at the Carver! Not only do subscribers enjoy great savings of up to 20% off season tickets, they also receive many other benefits, including preferred handling when purchasing tickets for season events, guaranteed seat locations, and an opportunity to order tickets to all shows before the general public.

As dedicated patrons of the Carver, we make season subscribers a priority, offering them ticket exchange privileges and lost ticket insurance. In addition, subscribers receive invitations to exclusive events, such as post-performance receptions and artist “meet and greets.” It is our mission to insure that you get the most out of your experience with the Carver, and by becoming a season subscriber, you certainly will! Should you be unable to attend a show in your season subscription, you may either exchange your tickets for another event (with two weeks notice and subject to availability) or return them for a tax donation.

Season subscriptions and accessible seating can be ordered with any major credit card by calling our box office at (210) 207-2234 or by completing the order form and faxing it to: (210) ) 207-8929. Visit our box office at 226 N. Hackberry and make your subscription purchase.

BOX OFFICE INFO

Box Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 AM – 4 PM and 2 hours before show times (in-person sales only)General inquiries, call the Box Office Manager at (210) 207-2234

For internet and phone sales call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com

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Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; Americus Diamond Charitable Giving Program; Antioch Baptist Church; AT&T Foundation; Bank of America; Bethel A.M.E. Church; City Council District 2, Keith A. Toney; City of San Antonio, Center City Development Office; City of San Antonio, Convention & Visitors Bureau; City of San Antonio, Department of Convention and Sports Facilities; City of San Antonio, Department of Culture and Creative Development; City of San Antonio, Department of Human Services; Clear Channel Communications; Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation; Combined Federal Campaign – San Antonio, Texas; CPS Energy; Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; Escamilla & Poneck; Frost Bank – Charitable Foundation; Grand Hyatt San Antonio; Greehey Family Foundation; H.E.B. Helping Here; Haworth; Jaster Quintanilla; Johnson Controls; JP Morgan Chase; Kempner Foundation; Marcia and Otto Koehler Foundation; KONO FM; KRTU FM; Lifshutz Foundation; Macy’s; Claudette Mayfield Consulting, Inc.; Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation; Muñoz & Company; Myra Stafford Pryor Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; National Performance

Network; New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church; NuStar Energy; Oppenheimer Foundation; Genevieve and Ward Orsinger Foundation – San Antonio Area Foundation; Prudence Curry Society; David Robinson Foundation; RRGP Services, Inc.; RSCR, Inc

Consulting Engineers; Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts; San Antonio Conservation Society; San Antonio Current; San Antonio Express-News; San Antonio Ivy Educational Fund, Inc.; San Antonio Metropolitan Area Campaign; San Antonio Spurs Foundation; Second Baptist Church; South Texas Center For Pediatric Care; St. Phillip's College; St. Philip’s Episcopal Church; Target; Texas Commission on the Arts; theFund; The Brown Foundation, Inc.; The Mighty Group; Time Warner Cable; Trinity University; Turner Construction Company; USAA Foundation A Charitable Trust; Valero Energy Corporation; VIA Metropolitan Transit; Reverend Clifford S. Waller; Wittig’s Office Interiors

The Carver Community Cultural Center226 N. HackberrySan Antonio, TX 78202

NON-PROFIT ORG.US Postage

PAIDSan Antonio,TXPermit No. 3317

The Carver Community Cultural Center is a special project of the City of San Antonio, Convention & Sports Facilities Dept

Administration: 210.207.7211 Fax: 210.207.8929 Box Office: 210.207.2234 www.thecarver.org

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