6 | APRIL 2022
BAYOUBEATNEWS.COM
ENTERTAINMENT
HOUSTON ‘SHOWED UP AND SHOWED OUT’ FOR TEXAS LEGEND LIL KEKE’S 46TH BIRTHDAY By: BB staff HOUSTON - The captain of the Original Screwed Up Click, Lil Keke celebrated his birthday on March 29 at one of Houston’s premier lounges, The Spot EaDo. The Blue and Black affair consisted of complimentary Courvoisier drinks on the patio, Infused Shrimp & Grits, A Nacho Bar, Seafood Kabobs, and desserts that were inspired by some of Lil Keke’s most favored lyrics. The Don (Lil Keke) arrived in true class, with a black-on-black sprinter, as he was accompanied by his two sons and friends. The guest list was nothing short of legendary as some of Houston’s top tier tal-
ent arrived such as Slim Thug, DJ XO, D Reck of Wreckshop Records, G-Dash of Swisha House, Propain, Big Ash of 713 Motors, Killa Kyleon, and SUC members Big Pokey, Lil O, and Lil Flip. Guests were able to partake in Lil Keke’s special Cherry Cola Exotic Pop, as well as complimentary Gas Gods items. Many cheers were made throughout the evening along with several sing-alongs to some of Keke’s classic songs. “Although I’m 46, I feel like I’m 26 and truly blessed”, Keke said.
It’s where my dreams came true, and I am so proud that this scholarship will give the next generation of aspiring young dancers from underrepresented communities an opportunity to reach further than they ever thought they could go.” A native Houstonian, Anderson trained exclusively at Houston Ballet Academy starting at age seven. She joined the professional company in 1983, and in 1990, she became the first African American to be named Principal Dancer at Houston Ballet. Anderson remains one of the few African-American artists to hold the highest rank at a major ballet company in the U.S. [Proud Mama Moment: I will never forget when my daughter got the chance to meet – and get hugs and encouragement from – Lauren Anderson and Misty
Copeland. Forever an honor!] After a 23-year career with Houston Ballet, Anderson continues inspiring and connecting the diverse communities of Houston with ballet through high-quality, community-centric educational programming as Associate Director of Education and Community Engagement. “Lauren’s legacy in the world of classical ballet is unparalleled. She didn’t just get to the top, she burst through the ceiling. She made it possible for the generation that followed her to believe that level of success was possible. Not just to dance, but to achieve greatness as an artist,” said Houston Ballet Academy Director Jennifer Sommers. “Houston Ballet aims to protect that legacy with this scholarship, ensuring that the Houston Ballet Academy can continue to create an environment for all dancers to grow. It is our mission that our student body reflects the city of Houston, the most diverse city in the
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country. This will allow us to reward deserving students based on their merit to receive the highest level of training.” The Lauren Anderson Young Dancer Scholarship becomes the Academy’s 9th endowed scholarship, with over $500,000 in scholarships awarded per year through the Houston Ballet Foundation. Scholarships to the Academy provide support to ensure that talented students have the chance to pursue their dreams at Houston Ballet, regardless of their financial background. The inaugural Lauren Anderson Young Dancer Scholarship Fund is established with a generous dollar-for-dollar challenge grant from Deborah and Edward Koehler. Supporters can donate to the Fund at give.houstonballet.org/lauren.
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