A visual journey into many threads that shaped the fabric of Black History, performed by talented local and national artists.

For additional information about this event see our Setting the Stage page here.

KCFAA will be present at all 4 galleries offering the chance to win a gift basket from KCFAA and SPACES!  We thank SPACES and these Johnson County galleries for their support of KCFAA.

Each Gallery will open in a new window. Enjoy!

To me, Ailey became synonymous with dance
Odd, as I remain anonymous by chance to the man that was Ailey
Sometimes I wonder if he’d foreseen how many people he’d affect
Or even the effects his legacy impresses upon me daily

It was odd seeing myself move for the first time in a mirror
Or rather I’d seen it before, but now I could reflect upon it clearer
Because the more I focused on stretching my limbs, the nearer I got to my ultimate goal
Until I felt my horizons broaden, stretching to eventually break the mold

I’m told that He was both benevolent and a visionary
Perhaps that’s how his programs could’ve propagated subsidiaries
Until one day I found myself witnessing the revolutionary
As Revelations left me stationary- Speechless for days

Amazed, I realize that I know little of Alvin Ailey beyond his work
But what Ailey Camp gave me was enough to immerse
Me in the world I’d once cursed
I learned to grow, speak, laugh, appreciate, and love myself even when it hurts
I realized art comes from life, but maybe it also works in reverse

Finally I understand that art is from whence my life emerged
Versed in the ways of speaking- still I find actions speak louder than words
How arms can utter: “What happens to a dream deferred?”
Dance- the priceless medium that allows the soul to be heard

Dancers the timeless echoes reverbed through space
Motion the sound that resonates tenuous grace
Although his work has brought many a smile to my face
I never met Alvin Ailey at any time or any place

To me, Ailey became synonymous with dance
Odd, as I remain anonymous by chance to the man that was Ailey
Dance crafts my voice, words reflect my stance symbiotically
And so I’m obliged to pursue greater and grander goals daily

But I have to thank him, for conceiving Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey
The campers, teachers, mentors, dancers, have all become family to me
Love being the foundation for the creation of new destiny
Mr. Ailey, I want to thank you for allowing your legacy
To reach me,
In Kansas City

Sincerely,
Zendrix Berndt

Jane Olsen
Jerry Austin
Sam Cullan, MD
Sarah Starnes

Congratulation winners!

The renowned dance talent of Ailey II was presented by Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey for their 25th annual fundraiser Benefit ’09, held Friday, October 23rd at the Folly Theater. Under the artistic direction of Sylvia Waters, the spirit and energy of these young dancers merged with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding emerging choreographers.

The event raised more than $180,000 to support KCFAA’s presentation of an annual Ailey dance residency to diverse audiences and KCFAA’s year-round arts education programs that reach over 30,000 Greater Kansas City youth.

The evening concluded with an After Party in the historic Count Basie Ballroom at the Marriott Hotel Muehlebach, where patrons danced with – and were outdanced by! – the amazing Ailey II performers.

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey is holding a raffle and will be giving Movado watches to four lucky people whose tickets are drawn!

• All proceeds benefit Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey.
• Raffle held at the Benefit ‘09 After Party, following the Ailey II performance, on October 23rd, 2009.
• You need not be present to win.
• Watches donated by Movado & Helzberg Diamonds.
• Value = $795 each.
• There will be 4 winners drawn with a maximum of 600 tickets sold.

Online Raffle Ticket Purchasing is now CLOSED.

Come to the performance tonight
(Friday, October 23, 2009)
to purchase your Raffle Ticket.

Official Rules of Helzberg Diamonds’/Movado Watch
Raffle for Benefit ’09 for Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey

1. General:  All raffle tickets must be purchased from a person representing Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey or from the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey website.  Tickets for the Movado Watch Raffle will be sold beginning at 9:00 AM Central Standard Time (“CST”) on October 1, 2009, until 10:00 PM CST on October 23, 2009.
2. Drawing and Prize:  KCFAA will hold the drawing for the 4 winning tickets for the Movado Alvin Ailey 50^th Anniversary watches at the Benefit ’09 After Party on October 23, 2009 at the Muehlebach Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.
3. Eligibility:  To be eligible for entry, you must be 18 years of age or older and a legal resident of the United States, and you must not be an employee, officer or director of Helzberg Diamonds or any of its advertising agencies and you must not be an employee of Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey.
4. Entries:  Raffle tickets are $25.00 a piece or 5 for $100.00 and all checks should be made out to Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey.
5. Odds of Winning:  The maximum number of tickets sold will be 600.
6. Notice and Claim of Prize:  The prizewinner of each drawing will be notified at the After-Party if the prize winner is then present or by email or telephone if not present.  The prizewinner must complete, sign, in the manner provided an Affidavit of Eligibility, Waiver of Liability and Publicity Release. Upon compliance with these requirements, KCFAA will mail or deliver the watch to the prizewinner.  Any failure of a prizewinner to timely respond or comply with these requirements will result in forfeiture of the prize and random selection of an alternate prizewinner.   The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash and prize merchandise selected by the prizewinner cannot be subsequently refunded or exchanged.  The prizewinner is responsible for any and all federal, state and local taxes, fees and other applicable government assessments on the awarded prize.  By participating in the drawing, all entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of KCFAA which will be final and binding in all respects.  Further, by participating, each participant agrees that any claim (at law or in equity) arising out of or relating to the drawing or prize may be filed only in the federal or state courts located in either Kansas City, Missouri or Jackson County, Missouri.
7. Release:  By participating in the drawing, each participant releases and holds harmless Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, legal advisors from any and all losses, damages, claims and actions of any kind in connection with the drawing (including, without limitation, claims based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy) or resulting from acceptance, possession or use of any prize.
8. Applicable Law:  All federal laws and regulations of the United States and of the State of Missouri apply to the drawing.
9. Sponsor:  The name and address of the sponsor of this raffle is Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey:  1714 E 18^th St Kansas City, MO  64108.

As you can see; the site has been re-designed, slimmed down, cleaned up.

We will be making more tweaks and adjustments as we go along and the new site will make these changes happen more easily and will also help keep the site up-to-date!

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