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WEEK of January 28, 2008
@BFS! archives

PAT Presents Two All-Family Events in February

It’s “come one, come all” to two all-family special events in February, sponsored by the BFS Parents and Teachers (PAT) association.

DIVERSITY GOES TO THE MOVIES

The first event is “Diversity Goes to the Movies,” now in its third year. This celebration from the PAT Diversity Committee takes place on Saturday afternoon, February 2 from 1 to 3 pm. Preschool 4s, lower, middle and upper school families will not want to miss an exciting afternoon celebrating diversity! The day has been revamped to feature storytelling for the preschool four year olds and lower school students, followed by art projects, which will be displayed in the lobby at 375 Pearl Street.

The featured film, recommended for middle and upper school students and their families, is AUTISM: THE MUSICAL, which airs on HBO this spring. (Attendees will also be asked to complete a questionnaire sponsored by HBO.) In the United States today, one in 150 children is diagnosed with autism. AUTISM: THE MUSICAL counters these bleak statistics with one woman's optimistic pledge to lead a group of autistic children in defying expectations by writing, rehearsing and performing their own full-length musical. (See www.autismthemusical.com).

As reviewed in the Boston Globe (11/07), the film is "One of the most candid, down-to-earth, organically inspirational documentaries you'll ever see....an unsentimental, simply photographed chronicle of the autism epidemic that doesn't try to show too much or conceal the rough places. Amazing...extraordinary...it will have audiences cheering long before the final act."

Also for this event, teachers and parents have selected an amazing array of books celebrating and embracing many facets of diversity from Lee and Low Publishers (www.leeandlow.com and www.bebopbooks.com). Based in NYC, Lee and Low and is an independent, award-winning children's book publisher specializing in multicultural themes. Books will be available for sale from 2:30 to 4 pm in the lobby on February 2, following the events of "Diversity Goes to the Movies." Please note that only cash and checks will be accepted—no credit cards.

Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 students, and include all events of the day, plus popcorn, coffee service from Starbucks, pizza and cookies! All proceeds from this event will go towards the BFS tuition assistance program.

CELEBRATING THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

The second PAT family event is the 13th annual African American Celebration, on Friday evening, February 8, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. This year’s theme is “The Harlem Renaissance.” This annual event is presented by the PAT African American Celebration Committee to raise awareness and foster appreciation of the culture, history, and traditions of peoples of the African Diaspora. Previous events have focused on African storytelling, modern dance, gospel music, jazz and blues, Afro-Caribbean music, and hip-hop, among others.

The Harlem Renaissance celebration begins with a buffet dinner in the Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. followed by a performance by dancer/choreographer Mickey Davis in “Swingin’ in Time.”

As part of this event, the PAT sponsors speakers/workshops for the community. Dance teacher Marna Herrity will lead a Dance Workshop Celebrating the Poetry of Langston Hughes for parents, faculty, staff and friends on Wednesday, February 6. Download a registration form. Also prior to the performance, students in grades 4-12 will have the opportunity to take part in a workshop series on swing dance with Alfredo Melendez; they will be invited to dance at the performance as well. Download a registration form for the swing dance workshop series.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and $55 for a family of four.