Benefit Screening A Resounding Success

Close to 120 people attended our benefit screening of "Fame" at Celebration Cinema North on September 25. This event raised $4,700 to support Grupo Tarasco and the Mexican folkloric dance program at the Cook Arts Center. Grupo Tarasco gave an energetic dance performance in the theater lobby before the movie.

We would like to thank Celebration Cinema North for making this event possible. A number of theater employees went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed both before and during the event, and we are grateful.

Thanks also to our sponsors for their generous support:

Varnum (Gold Sponsor)
State Farm Insurance (Silver Sponsor)
Gene & Tubie Gilmore (Bronze Sponsor)

Benefit Screening Supports GRUPO TARASCO and Mexican Folkloric Dance

Don't miss this opportunity to spend an enjoyable evening at the movies AND support a good cause. On Friday, September 25, Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities presents a benefit screening of the movie FAME at Celebration Cinema North.

The movie begins at 7:30, but if you get there by 7:00 you can catch a performance by Grupo Tarasco in the theater lobby. Grupo Tarasco is a Mexican Folkloric dance troupe composed of fifteen children and youth ages 8 to 18. It was started in 1989 by Josie Guillen who still leads the group. The Cook Arts Center has been home base to Grupo Tarasco since 2001.

Tickets are $20 and include a medium popcorn and soft drink. Proceeds will be used to support Grupo Tarasco and the Mexican Folkloric Dance Program at the Cook Arts Center (formerly the Grandville Avenue Academy for the Arts). Call Marj at 742-0692 to purchase advance tickets.

Thank you very much to our event sponsors:

GOLD LEVEL: Varnum
SILVER LEVEL: State Farm Insurance
BRONZE LEVEL: Gene & Tubie Gilmore

I.M.POSSIBLE Field Trip

Holiday Farm in Ada was the setting of a fabulous field trip enjoyed by our I.M.POSSIBLE girls group on August 24. Tubie Gilmore welcomed the girls with a delicious lunch of grilled hotdogs and salads. Then they piled into the back of a pickup truck for a tour of Tubie and Gene's beautiful, 330-acre farm along the banks of the Grand River. Tubie sent everyone home with bagfuls of fresh corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and flowers. Thank you, Tubie and Gene, for supporting GAAH in this very special way.

Cook Arts Center Classes, Fall 2009

It's time to register for fall classes at the Cook Arts Center. Classes begin on September 21 and run through December 17. Call 742-0692 for more information.

Click here to view the class brochure for Fall 2009

Summer Arts Camp in Full Swing at the Cook Arts Center

Summer Arts Camp 2009 students, instructors, volunteers, and staff.

Dance class with instructor Laura Armenta (not pictured)

Theater class with instructor Nancy Gallardo (center of photo)

Pottery class with instructor Madeline Kaczmarczyk (not pictured)

Art class with instructor Kim Vandenberg (not pictured)

Music class with instructors Josh Dunigan (2nd from right) and Jen Beahan (right)

Visit the Cook Arts Center, 644 Grandville Avenue SW, between now and August 14 and you'll find the place buzzing with activity. Fifty children ages 8-12 are here all day every day for two weeks learning new dance steps, creating beautiful works of art and pottery, practicing African drumming, and honing their acting skills. Stop on by!

Join us for the Summer Arts Camp Festival at the Wealthy Theatre on Thursday, August 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

A big THANK YOU to these camp sponsors:
*Amway,
*Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids
*Cook Charitable Foundation

Thanks also to Pepsi, Taco Boy, The Bob, Macatawa Bank, Kids Food Basket, Grand Rapids Community College, and Grand Rapids Public Schools for providing refreshments.