Unity Performing Arts Foundation

Unity Weekly Updates

NO REHEARSALS THIS WEEKEND!

Next Week
Tuesday, February 15- Dance at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Wednesday, February 16- Oratory Online 5:30-6:30pm
 

Wellness Workshop is Back!

Sign Up Today
“Breathe for Beginnings”
Instructor: Mrs. Cindy White


 
Due to our positive response, our Wellness Workshop is back!
There are  three options to choose from this month. This event is relaxing, fun, and helps you release your tension. Participants will have some moderate activity, and if participating in the mindful movement (yoga) section, a yoga mat is suggested. The class is a blast, so take time to connect your mind, body & soul. The location has changed, and will be located at Unity’s Program & Training Center, located at Ivy Tech Northeast Campus.
 
Thursday, February 17 from 6:30pm - 7:30 pm PTC
Saturday, February 19 from 9:00- 10:00 am PTC
Thursday, February 24 from 6:30pm - 7:30 pm at the PTC
 
Call us today to save your spot. We provide Zoom options.
 

A Very Important Message

Dear Members,
 
You never know what you’re capable of until you try. The best part of life is self-discovery. If you are a member, why not take advantage of opportunities available to you? We tend to grow when we step outside of our comfort zones. This season is for you! Get involved with Unity. Register for this season’s classes. https://www.upaf.com/enroll-your-child/
In the event of serious weather conditions, we will always post any cancellations or changes and  on Wane TV Coverage.

  College & Career Zoom Watch Party 

In partnership with Vincennes University, Unity attended East Allen University's Partner Reception on January 26 at 6:00pm. All partners were invited to attend the event and  to present their organization’s services. 

Program Description

Voices of Unity (VOU) The World Champion Voices of Unity Youth Choir (VOUYC) is Unity Performing Arts Foundation’s acclaimed Youth Choral Program. It is our premier soulful choral group of youth ages 7 to 19 from various backgrounds in the Fort Wayne community and beyond. It prepares them to be successful leaders who will give back to their society and make a difference in their college life, adult life, and in their professional careers…
Oratory/Expressions - These two classes will highlight our spoken word/poetry slam theme. Expression class will work on creating fun cool pieces and utilize techniques of the written craft. The Oratory program will focus on public speaking and provide a platform to practice. Participants will be exposed to various writers, video clips, and showcase performances. Both class schedules complement each other. Join us this season.

Dance - This season’s theme is “Dancing through the Decades”. Students will learn dance themes from the 1920s, 1930s, 1960s 1970s and 2000s. The class focuses on each style of dance, their origin, and students will learn a brief history and their country of origin, along with the elements of dance, expressing emotion and basic dance styles! Instructor Hannah Bond Gentle' will meet you every Tuesday at 5:30pm.

Step Master - This is a trial program! 2 day FREE workshop for middle and high school students to participate in learning the history of step and to provide an interactive platform to work as a team. Instructor Nathan Griffin, Unity Alumni, will lead this program. Day 2 will allow students to audition to perform at the showcase in May.  Show us what you got!
Mini Maestro - This 10 week exploratory piano program is the perfect introductory program for those ages 7-19 who want to learn the art of playing the piano. Every week, students will learn the basics of piano playing, along with music theory, to give them a well rounded understanding of playing an instrument. By the end of the 10 weeks students will be able to have a better grasp of what being a pianist is all about!

Black American Series: Past, Present, Future
Black Americans from the past, present, have made strides in extraordinary circumstances throughout history. The deeper story tells of the courage they all had during times where laws and circumstances were not in their favor. They overcame their trials, and it affected their accomplishments. So today we recognize them.
 
If there was a message, it would be … There are no excuses when achieving greatness. We have the potential, ability, and strength to climb high because we have been shown the way.


Robert Robinson Taylor (1868-1942)
He was the first African American architect who was trained and credentialed. Taylor of the Architecture and Construction Science Building at Tuskegee University is named after him and he was selected for the 2015 Black Heritage Stamp Series. Cool fact: His great granddaughter was an advisor to President Barack Obama.
Jane C. Wright (1919-2013) 
Cancer Researcher and Surgeon
Her contributions to chemotherapy and pioneering the use of the drug methotrexate to treat breast cancer and skin cancer was very crucial
.
Jan Ernst Matzeliger (1852-1942)
Inventor: Shoe Assembly Machine
 
His inventions helped the mass production of shoes. Matzeliger obtained a patent for his invention of an automated shoe laster in 1883. Matzeliger's machine could produce between 150 and 700 pairs of shoes a day, cutting shoe prices across the nation in half.
Marie Van Brittain Brown (1922-1999)

Invented the first home security system (closed-circuit television security)which assisted the modern home systems used today.
Bessie Coleman (1892-1926)

First African American to receive her pilot's license for national and international flights. She was unable to attend training in the states because of her race. She then traveled to Paris where she was certified.
IN TIMES LIKE THESE: Celebrate this season of heritage, and honor the obscure history of America

Our country is blessed with a plethora of citizens made up of indigenous people and immigrants from all over the world. We are called the melting pot of the world. In this place, many cultures, backgrounds, languages, histories, heritages, customs, and religions all reside in one country we call the United States of America. Because of the vast number of cultures in our country, an enormous amount of history followed each culture that came or was brought to America many years ago. The month of February is designated as Black History Month. This month of cultural history received official recognition from governments in the United States and others worldwide. In 1926 historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History established the second week of February to be "Negro History Week. In 1970 Black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University established the first Black History Month.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: Every day, we are faced with a growing responsibility to no longer hide or dismiss the cultural history of America. Not only are we the melting pot of people, but we should also be the melting pot of the knowledge of those people. One culture should not dominate the history of a country comprised of so many types of people. As we continue to progress into the 21st century, more and more information of our past, present, and future will come forth, and that information will not be subject to control. I hope the day will come when we won't need a Cultural History Month because our educational system will fully embrace and openly teach the entire history of all cultures in America. That will be a joyous day in our country! But until then, take the time this month to sit, listen, and learn more about the people of color you somewhat know and those you know and admire. Remember learning about one another helps us celebrate, value and honor one another.
To view past and present Thought Series editions written by Marshall White
Click Here
You can also access it by going to Mr. Marshall White's LinkedIn page here.
Looking for Writers
Fort Wayne Inkspot is looking for youth writers. This is a paid gig, and you receive $50 per piece. Write about any topic you like. If interested, contact info@upaf.com or call Mikki at 260-481-6719.

Who stopped by for a tour?
Great Conversations… Great Minds

Ms. Zynette Paige
Facility Supervisor
Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation
Download February Calendar
UNITY’s newsletters will go out twice a month instead of each week. The next newsletter will be sent out on Friday, February 25, 2022. .

Birthdays & Anniversaries
Feb 11 – Feb 25, 2022

Students:
Feb 19 - Nycole Golden

Alumni:
Feb 12 - Gyneiya Davis
Feb 13 - Ciara Cox, Brandon Davis,
Shanee Francher- Donald
Feb 14 - Kayla Davis
Feb 16 - De Andre Banks
Feb 18 - La’Keisha Williams
Feb 20 - Ivan Rangel
Feb 21 - Aaryn Eady, Hannah Johnson,
Chelsey Morgan
Feb 23 - Ryan Hunneshagen
Feb 25 - Vanessa Aduro, Brittani Bowman &
Zaviana Comer

Board, Staff, Parents, Volunteers, Singing Mentors:
Feb 13 - Helga Portela
Feb 14 - Cindy Mossburg
Feb 16 - Nicole King
Feb 21 - Marshall White, Clark Jones
Feb 22 - Natasha Clark & Octavia Jones
Feb 23 - Latissha Williams

Donors:
Feb 12 - Brian Hamil

Anniversary:
Feb 12 - Marshall & Cindy White
Feb 14 - Victor & Patricia Villagomez
Patricia White-Hunt Scholarship Fund
The Life & Legacy of
Patricia White-Hunt
A Servant - A Giant - A Warrior

 
Keep Ms. Pat’s life and legacy alive by celebrating her service contribution to young people throughout our community. This scholarship fund will support students who pursue community and public service careers, artistic performance, and servant leadership.  The fund will also provide student scholarship support for families who want to join UNITY but need financial assistance. The website will also allow you to learn more about the life of Patricia White-Hunt, her performances, the things she did, the people she touched, and the things she wrote. To all of our UNITY students who were blessed to know Ms. Pat, please go to the website and share your stories and comments on the photos that include you.  Let’s Keep Ms. Pat’s Legacy Alive!  DONATE TODAY!!

https://pwhfund.com/#donate

February 11 - February 25, 2022 Events

Feb 12 & 13 - No VOU Rehearsal

Feb 15 - Dance – 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Feb 16 - Oratory – 5:30PM - 6:30PM - Virtual


Feb 19 - VOU Rehearsal 12:00pm - 2:00pm

February 20 - VOU Rehearsal 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Don’t miss your chance to get involved as well as tell others about UNITY program. Call for a tour today!

Website
Facebook
Facebook
Link
Twitter
YouTube
UNITY PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION, IS A COMPANY IN-RESIDENCE AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY OF FORT WAYNE
Copyright © 2022 Unity Performing Arts Foundation, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp