Allied Arts

Metropolitan School of Dance is one great organization! MSDI instructors teach dance and exercise to so many Oklahoma City students (the young and ... not as young). We're thrilled to support the great work that they do.

Name and Title: Fran Pitts, Executive Director
Organization Name: Metropolitan School of Dance, Incorporated (MSDI)
Organization Phone Number and Web Site: 405-236-5026
 
Give us the gist of your organization, Twitter-style (that means 140 characters or less).
Classical dance training in ballet, Pointe, modern, African, tap and jazz to students ages 3 to adult in the Greater Oklahoma City area

What does your organization bring to Central Oklahoma?
Affordable quality dance instruction open to all who are interested during both the fall and spring sessions as well as summer dance programming

List a few things that your organization is looking forward to in the coming year.
We are looking forward to reaching more young people in the NE quadrant of Oklahoma City with added community outreach instruction, coupled with new experiences of engaging our community in the art of dance. 

How can people get involved with your organization?
Become a patron!  Support MSDI programming to at-risk youth by giving financially or by volunteering at key fundraisers or in house programming

Name your favorite piece of art or art performance. 
At our organization, my answer is “Lamba.” Outside of MSDI, I enjoyed Alvin Aileys’ “Revelations.”

Which artist would you most like to meet? Debbie Allen

On December 15, Allied Arts shared the power of arts and culture with members of Rotary Club 29 at the club’s weekly meeting at the Petroleum Club.

Allied Arts’ presentation began with live performances from several of its member agencies.  O.K. City Chorus and Canterbury Choral Society members greeted Rotarians with holiday carols, while Cimarron Opera’s “Opera Idol” winner, Audra Faust, led the club in the National Anthem. Throughout the program, Rotarians also enjoyed a performance from Oklahoma City Ballet dancer Audrey Johnston and Glen Thomas, of City Arts Center, created a bust of Rotarian Meg Salyer, during the meeting.

In addition to allowing Rotarians to see, hear and experience the arts, Allied Arts’ presentation included speeches from business and community leaders highlighting the need for strong support for the arts in Central Oklahoma.  Mark Funke, Lyn Adams and Linda Haneborg each spoke about the impact of the arts on business and economics, quality of life and educational development.  Haneborg and Allied Arts board chairman, Ann Johnstone informed the club of Allied Arts’ upcoming annual fundraising campaign and encouraged each member to get involved. Johnstone also recognized Judy Love along with her husband, Tom Love, as the 2010 Campaign Honorary Chairs.

With so many speeches and performances, it is hard to pick one presentation highlight; however one agenda item certainly got a lot of attention. To serve as a presentation ice breaker, Allied Arts challenged three club members to try their hands at different arts activities while being filmed. Under the direction of skilled artists, City Councilwoman Meg Salyer tried her hand at sculpting, Rotary President Jeff Simpsen received a Philharmonic cello lesson and Rotary President-Elect Clayton Taylor donned tights and ballet slippers for a dance with the Oklahoma City Ballet.

In addition to providing the audience with comic relief, the video showcased the talent of several Allied Arts member agencies and illustrated the power of arts education. To see the “Allied Arts Challenge” visit Allied Arts’ YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/AlliedArtsOKC.



Allied Arts President Deborah McAuliffe Senner with Rotary President Jeff Simpsen and loyal Allied Arts supporters and board members Mark Funke and Linda Haneborg.



City Arts Center sculptor Glen Thomas with the bust of Meg Salyer that he created during the presentation!

This weekend, give yourself a break from shopping and baking and take in one of these arts activities.  You know you want to!  Once again, the OKCityCard discounts are listed where they apply.  Don't have a CityCard? Ask Santa to throw one in your stocking!

Christmas Eve Concert
@ Ambassadors' Concert Choir
http://www.ambassadorschoir.org/

Tom, Dick & Harry
@ Carpenter Square Theatre – LAST WEEKEND!
2-for-1 admission
http://www.carpentersquare.com/

Donald G Longcrier Exhibit and UCO Design Graduating Student Show
@ City Arts Center
http://www.cityartscenter.org/

Third Sunday Song Swap
@ IAO
http://iaogallery.org/

The Nutcracker
@ Oklahoma City Ballet – LAST WEEKEND!
2-for-1 or 50% off single admission
http://www.okcballet.com/

The Couch Lounge
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art – Thursday
$5 after 5 p.m.!
http://www.okcmoa.com/

L Orfeo – Opera in HD
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art – Thursday
http://www.okcmoa.com/

The Conversation and Tetro – Film Screenings
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
2-for-1 admission
http://www.okcmoa.com/

Opening Night
@ Arts Council of Oklahoma City, December 31
2-for-1 admission
http://www.artscouncilokc.com/

Don’t forget that it’s your last weekend to be a part of a holiday tradition at The Nutcracker! And if you’re looking forward to New Year’s Eve, go ahead and buy your tickets to Opening Night.  They’re 2-for-1 with your OKCityCard!

On the heels of a successful and beautiful Christmas concert, Canterbury Choral Society certainly deserves a standing ovation on our blog. We hope you enjoy getting to know the group via the questions below...and we hope you buy tickets to see them at their next performance in April.

Name and Title: Jason Edward Grife, Development Manager
Organization Name: Canterbury Choral Society
Organization Phone Number and Web Site: 405-232-SING (7464) www.canterburyokc.com

Give us the gist of your organization, Twitter-style (that means 140 characters or less). Canterbury is the premier choral arts organization of Oklahoma, providing performance and education opportunities for over 40 years.

What does your organization bring to Central Oklahoma?
Canterbury connects our community through music by providing experiences to lift the spirit. Whether it is our large masterwork concerts, guest artists, the tradition of Canterbury Christmas, or our Canterbury Youth Choruses education programming, we offer a chance for everyone to be a part of the music.

As one of the largest volunteer choruses in the United States, Canterbury has had the distinction of working with such famous artists as Kelli O’Hara and Leona Mitchell, premiering works by Dominick Argento and Stephen Paulus, and being the host chorus for the Oklahoma City Centennial Celebration and American Choral Directors Association National Conference in 2009.

Canterbury knows collaboration is key for the future of all arts organization and is proud to work closely with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and other various performance groups, as well as being an active member of Allied Arts.

List a few things that your organization is looking forward to in the coming year.
We are looking forward to hosting renowned opera singer Sarah Coburn, collaborating with the Oklahoma Philharmonic on Beethoven’s 9th, the annual Canterbury Youth Choruses Summer Camp, and our 2010-2011 season opener, Mendelssohn’s Elijah

How can people get involved with your organization? Currently, we have nearly 140 volunteer singers in the Adult Chorus and over 60 students in our Canterbury Youth Choruses. Auditions are held each fall for both the adult and children’s programming.

For ticket information, or to find out other ways you can support this unique choral arts organization, visit www.canterburyokc.com or call 405-232-SING (7464).

Name your favorite piece of art or art performance.
Canterbury has had the opportunity to perform music ranging from madrigals to large choral masterworks and famous opera choruses to Broadway classics. With such a diverse pallet of music, it is hard to just pick one.

Some favorites include Orff’s Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s 9th, Bach’s Mass in B minor, and Dona nobis pacem by Vaughn Williams.

Which artist would you most like to meet?
J.S. Bach. After successfully conquering and touring in the Spring of 2009 with his Mass in B minor, the chorus has come to love and respect him as a composer.

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.

- Twyla Tharp

I’m sure you’ve all heard about Lyric Theatre’s spectacular summer performances and Lyric at the Plaza, but did you know that this musical theatre company travels to schools across the state to bring the magic of musicals to students? This year, Lyric Theatre is performing “1776,” a musical that is based on the events leading to the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Allied Arts sponsors this fun educational outreach program for Lyric Theatre. We received so many awesome thank you notes from students that we had to share a few of them with you!

This student says, “Thank you very much Mrs. Deborah McAuliffe Senner! I really liked the play! I hope you do more!”

“Thank you for the play. It was a good play. It taught me a lot of stuff. I would like you to come again,” says another child.

Just in case the text is too small to read – “Thank you so so much!! I loved it please come again.” This student said “1776” rocks!!

To learn more about Lyric Theatre, visit http://lyrictheatreokc.com/.

Here is your Ticket Thursday update one day late!  So sorry for missing a day – I hope you left some free time in your schedule for taking in one of these holiday shows!  Once again, the fabulous OKCityCard offers are listed with each performance. 

Bah Humbug & A Christmas Carol
@ Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, thru December 13
2-for-1 admission
http://www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org/

The Nutcracker
@ Oklahoma City Ballet, December 11 – 13 & 18 – 20
2-for-1 or 50% off single admission
http://www.okcballet.com/

An A Capella Christmas Carol
@ OK City Chorus, December 13
2-for-1 admission
http://www.okcity.org/

Opening Night
@ Arts Council of Oklahoma City, December 31
2-for-1 admission
http://www.artscouncilokc.com/

Our agencies have some great un-holiday events happening as well:

Tom, Dick & Harry
@ Carpenter Square Theatre, thru December 19
2-for-1 admission
http://www.carpentersquare.com/

Donald G Longcrier Exhibit and UCO Design Graduating Student Show
@ City Arts Center
http://www.cityartscenter.org/

The September Issue – Film Screening
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
2-for-1 admission
http://www.okcmoa.com/

Well, my competitive nature makes it very difficult for me to say that Lindsay has, in fact, saved more than I have in the month of November. However, as soon as I buy tickets to one of our agencies’ spectacular holiday performances I will be back in the game!  In November, I saved $20:

• $2 at Prairie Thunder Baking Company (I’m addicted to their bread and treats!)
• $1.50 at The Wedge (Shuffle Truffle…mmm)
• $3.00 at The French Cowgirl (they have the CUTEST ornaments for your tree!)
• $13.50 at The Museum Café (20% off creates a lot of savings)

In just three short months I have saved $50 – I bet I could have done it even faster! The OKCityCard is good for a full year, so go ahead and donate so that you have your card in hand for the new year. It’s also fun to shop local for holiday gifts! You’ll find unique things, avoid the crowds at the mall and save money when you use your CityCard.

How have you saved using your OKCityCard? Let us know!

Given that it’s the holiday shopping season, it seems appropriate to give you all an update on my CityCard savings. In November, I saved $67:

• About $6 at BJ’s (I got my free Pizookie!)
• $15 off an oil change at Jiffy Lube
• About $1 off lunch at Prairie Thunder (have you been there? It’s AMAZING!)
• $45 off a Nutcracker Ballet ticket (you get 2-for-1 tickets to all ballet performances with your CityCard; a fantastic deal)

Seriously, if you haven’t donated $50 to Allied Arts to get your CityCard, you’re missing out on HUGE savings! Check out www.okcitycard.com for all of the details. It makes a great holiday gift too.

And, since Bailey and I are in a head-to-head CityCard savings competition, I’m challenging her to share her savings as well!

We hope you'll enjoying getting to know the Ambassadors' Concert Choir. We're so proud to have them as a member agency. If you've been to one of their concerts, let us know through a comment below!

Name and Title:  Dr. Sandra D. Thompson, Assistant Director
Organization Name:  Ambassadors’ Concert Choir
Organization Phone Number and Web Site: 
405 478-3344 or 405 602-3866
www.ambassadorschoir.org
 
Give us the gist of your organization, Twitter-style (that means 140 characters or less).
Ambassadors’ is a community choir that sings music ranging from classical to spiritual to gospel – all styles are performed by a variety of everyday people.
 
What does your organization bring to Central Oklahoma?
Our organization is a unique blend of individuals who love music and love to share music with everyone.
 
List a few things that your organization is looking forward to in the coming year.
As we celebrate 30 years in the greater Oklahoma City area, we look forward to a Spiritual Festival in February (Feb. 21, 2010 @ St. John Baptist Church, 5700 N. Kelly) and 7 Songs/7 Sermons in April (April 2 @ St. John Baptist Church in commemoration of the Easter season). 

Our biggest event is tentatively scheduled for Labor Day weekend.  We will have a gala celebration with silent auction, dinner and entertainment on Friday evening and a reunion concert on Sunday evening.  Details will be released soon.
 
How can people get involved with your organization?
They can contact our Artistic Director, Dr. Kenneth E. Kilgore @ 478-3344.  There are always tasks that require extra hands and feet.  They may also contact Mr. Danny Terrell @ 602-3866. 
 
Name your favorite piece of art or art performance.
Glenn Gould’s performance of the Bach Partitas
 
Which artist would you most like to meet?
Yo-Yo Ma