2018 Dancing with the Denver Star s- Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

August 25, 2018 Warmest greetings from Cleo and the entire Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Village: Tonight, as we launch our 48th Anniversary Season, we welcome you with the deepest appreciation to our 9th Annual Dancing with the Denver Stars Gala. Some of Denver’s most prominent business, civic, and community leaders are performing in support of the diverse educational and community programming of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD). Bravo to these extraordinary Stars, whose generosity of time and resources have a profound effect throughout the Front Range!

2018 has been a stellar year for our educational and community programming, with the varied elements that make up the CPRD Education Team providing performances, workshops, master classes and residencies to 34,000 people in over 150 venues throughout the state. We celebrated the 24th Anniversary Season of our International Summer Dance Institute (ISDI), bringing world-renowned artists and eager students together for four weeks of master classes, culminating in our 8th Annual Mile High Dance Festival. Our year-round Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Academy continues to thrive with over 700 students of all ages and levels of ability continuing their dance studies, thanks to the extraordinary training they receive from our instructors. Each of these programs (and their respective scholarships) is largely sustained through the support of tonight’s Stars, as well as all of you here this evening.

We continue to define the role of dance and its relationship to health, wellness, and academic achievement through both participation and performance. With the on-going support of our community, corporate and civic partnerships, not only did we share the power, passion and beauty of movement throughout the Front Range in teaching residencies, but we also enabled hundreds of K-12 students to attend special performances of this season’s “To My Father’s House,” “Carmen,” and “Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum.” or many of these students, this was their first time experiencing professional dance, live music, and spoken word. Their enthusiastic appreciation of these opportunities was motivating and inspirational to all of us.

We extend our deepest thanks to our Event Chairs Mr. George Sparks and Dr. Shandra Wilson, and the members of our Gala Steering Committee (led by our CPRD Board Chair, Gwen Brewer), as well as the CPRD Board of Directors and Advisory Board, our Executive Director Malik Robinson, the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Cleo II, Youth Ensemble, our staff and volunteers – all working countless hours on every detail of “Dancing with the Denver Stars” to ensure not only a fabulous event but a successful outcome in meeting this year’s financial goals to sustain and nurture CPRD’s educational and community programming for the coming scholastic year. Special thanks as well to the incredible Hilton Denver City Center staff who have worked so closely with our Gala team.

We sincerely thank all of you for your continued advocacy and commitment. We look forward to advancing our goals of providing the most diverse and comprehensive cultural arts programming in the Western United States. Tonight’s Stars are performing with all the excitement and glamour of a “Night In Las Vegas!” Let’s keep that same magic alive, recognizing our creative selves and nurturing that spirit in others so that everyone, young and old, of every culture and background, can truly step forward to a bright new day, filled with opportunity, compassion, and love!

In the Spirit of Dance...

Cleo

Welcome and thank you for joining us for the 9th Annual Dancing with the Denver Stars! This signature event is more than a fundraiser for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance it’s a community builder that ultimately strengthens our connections to one another.

In 48 years of service, CPRD has evolved its programming into four distinct pillars, namely, the Ensemble, Academy, Theatre and, of course, Education programs, which you are all supporting tonight. While each of these programs is designed to provide inspiring, life affirming services, CPRD Arts-in-Education initiatives specialize in engaging children and families.

With the extraordinary support of this fundraiser, CPRD invested in scaling the model to strategically increase school partnerships from 43 to 62 schools over this past year! The growth has enabled a highly skilled Education team to both expand and deepen its presence for optimum impact. For the 2018-19 schools year, your support provides the wherewithal for CPRD to establish new partnerships and return to schools like Ponderosa Elementary, Denver School for the Arts, Hallett Fundamental Academy, Park Hill Academy, SOAR and Manual High School where students continue to demonstrate success.

I am particularly excited about the phenomenal support of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and this year’s

Co-Chairs, the dynamic duo, George Sparks and Dr. Shandra Wilson. DMNS models the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that is necessary to create greater equity and access to quality educational programs, and we are grateful for their leadership, support and partnership that directly affects our work in classrooms.

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance is an organization on the move, and the force driving the momentum is the surehanded leadership of the Board of Directors and Advisory.

At the helm of the Board of Directors, we have Gwen Brewer to thank for her dedication and foresight in conceptualizing this special event almost a decade ago. Gwen, an educator by profession, recognized that our education programs were going unnoticed by the community at large. In response, she helped create an event that elevated this work while combining the best of both worlds at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, education and the performing arts.

Tonight, we invite you to enjoy and join in on the inspiring movement!

Sincerely,

Malik Robinson

Executive Director Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

Welcome to the 9th Annual Dancing with the Denver Stars! It has been a great pleasure to serve as Gala Chairs as Cleo Parker Robinson is very near and dear to both Shandra and me.

In 2016, I was a Denver Star and my favorite memory is of the few minutes before we went onstage: I was very nervous and aware that there were 700 people in the audience waiting to watch us perform. I looked across from the backstage wing hidden from view from the audience. I couldn’t see my partner Chloe on the other side! I had a moment of panic, but suddenly Chloe was by my side, giving me a quick hug and telling me I would be great! Then she disappeared back to her side, the music started and out we went!

Tonight, Shandra and I are thrilled to be able to take to the stage together. We agreed to be chairs to support Cleo and Malik, to celebrate the thirteen Denver Stars who will be dancing tonight, but most importantly to support the thousands of children who will receive the benefits of your generosity this evening!

Last year’s Gala was an unprecedented success, raising over $100,000 in the Paddle Raise alone. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance has used that money to serve more schools than ever before. With school now back in session, CPRD Artsin-Education programs are already beginning. The CPRD education team, a diverse and well-trained group of dance educators, will teach children ages 3 - 18 how to dance, move, create, and communicate.

As Chairs of this year’s gala, we want to personally thank our corporate donors, dinner committee members, the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Board of Directors and Advisory Committee, as well as everyone present this evening for helping to make this Dancing with the Denver Stars Gala the most successful yet. We also want to extend our personal gratitude to Cleo Parker Robinson, Artistic Director and Founder; Malik Robinson, Executive Director; Gwen Brewer, CPRD Board Chair and Chair of the “Dancing with the Denver Stars” Steering Committee; the members of the Steering Committee; our DJ Starchild and Master of Ceremony Shed G. Please join Shandra and me tonight as we celebrate Cleo, our Denver Stars and the entire Cleo Parker Robinson Dance organization. Congratulations for 48 great years!

It has been an honor!

George Sparks, CEO Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2018 Gala Chair & 2016 STAR Dr. Shandra Wilson, Professor of Surgery, 2018 Gala Chair and former dancer for Colorado Ballet

August 25, 2018 Good Evening, We are honored to welcome you to the 9th Annual Dancing with the Denver Stars! Tonight’s “dinner and show” features a wonderful evening of dance entertainment as “Stars” of Denver’s business and community service circles dance choreographed routines with the professional dancers of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance in order to raise funds for CPRD’s Arts-in-Education programs.

Tonight, we also celebrate Cleo Parker Robinson. For 48 years she has inspired us with her loving spirit, her generous nature and her deep commitment to spreading the healing art of dance. The inclusive “village” she has created at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance provides children of all ages a safe place where they are nurtured and receive an excellent arts education.

Your presence this evening demonstrates your support of CPRD’s unique Arts-in-Education programs that bridge the gap between arts education and physical fitness by providing in-school dance and movement programs, after-school programs and summer programs. The dollars we raise tonight will directly benefit our education programs and also help us continue to expand our outreach beyond the over 15,000 students we serve in metropolitan Denver.

I want to acknowledge the individuals who worked so diligently to make this event possible: our Event Chairs George Sparks and Dr. Shandra Wilson; Malik Robinson, CPRD Executive Director; Development Director Hillary Harding, the members of the Dancing with the Denver Stars Steering Committee and the CPRD dancers who worked countless hours to develop our Denver Stars into dancers. I also thank the CPRD Board of Directors, Advisory Committee and staff (especially Rhetta Shead), our corporate sponsors, contributors, supporters and friends for being a part of this wonderful evening.

Now sit back and enjoy the marvelous dance showcase the Denver Stars and CPRD Ensemble have created for you!

Sincerely, Gwen Brewer Chairperson, Board of Directors Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

Meet Shed G, one of the hottest and blessed entertainers to hail from Denver Colorado. Shedrick Garrett (Shed G) is a well renowned comedian, actor and radio personality known for his clean faith based comedy. Shed G brings a style of comedy that universally captivates audiences of all ages and races.

In 2000, Shed G gained momentum by taking his talents to Atlanta where he earned his credits on the big screen. He worked alongside Tyler Perry in hit movies like Madea’s Family Reunion, A Madea’s Christmas and Meet the Browns. Shortly thereafter he was featured on hit TV shows like House Of Payne, Meet The Browns and The Rickey Smiley TV Show. He will be featured on Kevin Hart’s “Hart Of The City” this fall.

Shed G has opened up stages for many music artists such as Eric Benet, Anthony David, S.O.S Band, Earth Wind and Fire, The Temptations, Brian McKnight, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, and Lalah Hathaway. He has also opened for fellow comedians Ricky Smiley, Dave Chapelle, Ron Tripoli, Dave Coulier and Lachlan Patterson.

In 2012, Shed G moved to Minneapolis to pursue his dream of being a radio host/personality where he joined the Morning Show on 89.9 KMOJ FM making it one of the top Morning Shows in the Twin Cities. His professionalism and ability to connect to the listeners landed him on one of the biggest stations in the Twin Cities-- 105 The Vibe!

When Shed G is not working on his shows or traveling the nation performing, he loves being part of a mentor program at Blue Ribbon Award winner, Friendship Academy, where he exposes 9 young men to tools that help make them successful young men.

Starchild is a Self-starter, fast learner with demonstrated ability to manage all types of audiences. Before he owned turntables he won his first DJ competition in 1982 at Scooters Teen Club by drawing a DJ set up on paper and mentally practiced his cues and timed out the songs.

Starchild has worked at various clubs in Denver but is more known for DJing for his fans for 40 years at Requested Events.

Currently Starchild can DJ in 6 languages and can play music for various cultures including but not limited to music from Nigeria, Ghana, The Congo, Kenya, Uganda, The Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Hawaii, Mexico, Italy, Jamaica and Liberia. American genres include R&B, Gospel, Country, Big Band, Jazz, Hip Hop, Motown, Rock, Oldies, Blues and EDM just to name a few. Music is his language!

Starchild has also utilized his talent as an Audio Engineer for the Denver Black Arts Festival, The Aurora Arts Festival, The Safe Summer Festival, Safe Night Colorado, Cinco de Mio, The Englewood Arts Festival, Juneteenth, The Martin Luther King Marade and many more. Starchild has been the loudest Mobile DJ in the Juneteenth, Martin Luther King and Black Arts Festival Parade for the last 10 years!

40 Years as a DJ….

Music Is His Life, Jesus Is His Lord!

IN APPRECIATION - Sustaining a cultural arts institution for 48

years is not possible without the love and support of those who have gone before and those who remain. I wish to extend my gratitude for the love and dedication of so many.

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE ANCESTORS - Cherished

Family - Martha Parker, Jonathon “JP” Parker, Whalon Jesse Parker, John Whalon Parker Jr., Diane and Cherish Robinson, Ian Wallace, Beverly J. Robinson, Tommie E. Robinson, Roberta Freeman, Louisa Coley, John Buckner, Dr. Vincent Harding, Linard “Scotty” Scott, Donald Seawell, Lu Vason, Henry Lowenstein, Betty Robnett and John Mosley

THE MUSES - Marceline Freeman, Opalanga Pugh, and Maya Angelou HONORED ALUMNI - Cedric Flynt, Curtis Fraser, Eric Hill, Ronnie Whittaker, Leni Williams and all of the former CPRD dancers over these past 48 years

THE VISIONARIES - Alvin Ailey, Talley Beatty, Rita Berger,

Katherine Dunham, Lester Horton, Baba Chuck Davis, Kris Katsuma, Eleo Pomare, Pearl Primus, Jimmy Truitt, Dr. Sherrill Berryman Johnson, Baba Olatunji, Baba Ishangi, Denise Jefferson, Rod Rodgers, Geoffrey Holder, Dudley Williams and Fred Benjamin

OUR CO-FOUNDERS - From the beginning of CPRD’S 48-year

journey, Schyleen Qualls Brown, Les Franklin, Judge Raymond Dean Jones and Edmond “Buddy” Noel have shared the vision of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and have been an unwavering force in our development. They have seen us grow from a young group of dancers with a dream and a promise in our hearts to an international cultural arts institution. We are grateful for your dedicated service and commitment over forty-eight years.

TOM ROBINSON –CO-FOUNDER - You have been my soul mate

and the rock for our incredible 48-year journey, giving us a foundation that is rooted in integrity and love. Thank you for your devotion and your dedication and your relentless faith in the organization’s future and in all of us.

KEEPING THE LEGACY ALIVE - MALIK ROBINSON – EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR - You guide and manage the organization and staff with a vision and work ethic that has given us momentum to sustain and grow for the next 48 years. Your unique leadership and commitment to our holistic educational programs is a driving force that gives us great pride.

Axe’ Axe’ my son.

GUARANTEEING THE LEGACY OF THE POWER, BEAUTY AND PASSION - Darrell Anderson, Moses and Gwen Brewer, Randy Brooks, Ed Dwight, Kevin Fallon, Helen Franzgrote, Barbara Gardner, Trey Grimes, Eric Hughes, Renee Hurley, Lara Kirksey, Nancy McCloskey, Marcie Moore Gantz, Dawn Nakamura-Kessler, Reina Parker, Schyleen Qualls Brown, Bob Ragland, Keith Rice, Susan Richardson, Daniel Ritchie, Tom Robinson, Malik and Vianey Robinson, Jim Wallace and Leslie Sue Parker-Wallace, Wrandell Belefonte and Athanasia Parker, Lester Ward, The Shead Family, the Hart Family, Barbara Williams, Letitia Williams, DHA, SCFD, NEA, CCA, Sponsors, Partners, Board of Directors, Staff, Dance Ensembles, Volunteers, Faculty, Family and Friends.

My thanks and blessings,

Cleo

ADMINISTRATION Cleo Parker Robinson Founder / Artistic Director Malik Robinson Executive Director Winifred R. Harris Associate Artistic Director Chloe Abel Ensemble Rehearsal Director Rhetta Shead Director of Administration and Marketing Hillary Harding Director of Development Mary Hart Director of Bookings and Tours Shelby Jarosz Education Manager Trey Grimes Theatre Director /Technical Director Amelia Dietz Academy Director Victoria Shead Assistant Academy Administrator Lauren Smith Assistant Academy Administrator Pat Smith (OnTarget Public Relations) Marketing and Public Relations Contractor

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gwen Brewer Board Chair Cleo Parker Robinson * Founder /Executive Artistic Director Debbie Herrera Vice Chair Shale Wong Vice Chair Josett Valdez Secretary Tyrone Gant Board Treasurer Tim Davis, Hon. Crisanta Duran Angela Norris Hawkins, Demesha Hill Lisa Hogan, Matthew Keeney Tony Price, Shelley Thompson Alfred Walker, Jennifer Wozniak

STUDENT AMBASSADORS Leighthen Howard Stephanie Howard Adelyne Kirschling Zoila Garnier Tobar Antonio Garnier Tobar

CLEO PARKER ROBINSON DANCE ENSEMBLE Winifred R. Harris Associate Artistic Director Chloé-Grant Abel Rehearsal Director Theresa Berger Jasmine Francisco Alex J. Gordon Ralaya S. Goshea YooJung Hahm Cedric Dewayne Hall Jessica Horton Tyveze Littlejohn Martez McKinzy Samiyah Lynnice Parramore Davry Ratcliffe John e. Roberts Tony DeBerry*

CLEO II

Alyssa Baker Rhianna Jordon Lauren Smith

YOUTH PROGRAM DIRECTORS

Jessica Horton - Rehearsal Director Cedric Dewayne Hall - Rehearsal Director Victoria Shead Assistant Rehearsal Director*

THE CLEO PARKER ROBINSON DANCE YOUTH ENSEMBLE

Maya Contrerras / Tamia Fair Naturelle Garcia-Taylor / Lily McKenna Gabriella Shead / Max Nelson-Steinhoff Isabelle Thornton / Emilie Tobar

THE CLEO PARKER ROBINSON DANCE JUNIOR YOUTH ENSEMBLE Asianay Banks Meadow Contrerras Selecia Kono Zinnia McKenna Sophie Wechsler *Guest Dancer

EMERITUS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Judge Raymond Dean Jones J.D. * Chelsye J. Burrows Michael Donegan Kevin Fallon Les Franklin Helen Franzgote Rosalind “Bee” Harris Eric Hughes Renee Hurley Nancy McClosky Dawn Nakamura-Kessler Edmond “Buddy” Noel * Schyleen Qualls Brown * Tom Robinson * John Wagner Lester Ward Dr. Reggie and Faye Washington *Founding members of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

DANCE OF FAITH SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSOR | DANCE OF LIFE Denver Museum of Nature and Science George Sparks and Dr. Shandra Wilson

DANCE OF PASSION SPONSORS Hal and Ann Logan Safeway Xcel Energy

DANCE OF GRACE SPONSOR Dietrich & Company Great West Financial and Empower Retirement

Agency Off Record Arc Thrift Stores Ballard Spahr Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Butler Snow CBS Channel 4 City and County of Denver Colorado State University DaVita Village Denver International Airport Denver Art Museum Denver Center for Performing Arts Department of General Services (City of Denver) Dr. Reggie Washington Farley Health Policy Center GloKnows Unlimited Hilton Hotel Janus Henderson Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP Metropolitan State University Mortenson Construction PCL Construction Polsinelli Sewald-Hanfling State of Colorado – Governor’s office University of Denver Vectra Bank

EVENT CHAIRS George Sparks Dr. Shandra Wilson

STEERING COMMITTEE Gwen Brewer, Chair Hillary Harding Cleo Parker Robinson Rhetta Shead George Sparks Dr. Shandra Wilson

DINNER COMMITTEE Arc Thrift Store Kim Bimestefer Dawn Bookhardt Moses and Gwen Brewer CHFA Carl Bourgeois and Sheila King/Civil Technology Delta Eta Boule Tyrone Gant Eddie and Andria Koen/ Mile High United Way Maude Lofton Porter-Billups Leadership Academy Tom and Cleo Robinson Jim Wallace

VIDEOGRAPHER Reflections in Video Productions, Inc.

GRAPHIC DESIGN Jody Gilbert, KOLORGRAPHIX

MASTER OF CEREMONY

GRAND ENTRANCE

Shed G

THE DENVER STARS, PART 1 (6 STARS)

CPRD Ensemble, Cleo II, Youth Ensemble and Junior Youth Ensemble

(In order of appearance)

Performing to a Music Medley of Las Vegas Legends

1 - Tyrone Gant-Rai Goshea 2 - Leslie Eaton-Tyveze Littlejohn 3- Kristin Bronson-Alex Gordon

CHAIRPERSONS, DANCING WITH THE DENVER STARS

4 - Kelli Kelly-Tony DeBerry

George Sparks and Dr. Shandra Wilson

5 - Gov Hickenlooper-Chloe Abel

Introduced by Adelyne Kirschling and Zoila Garnier Tobar

6 - Murphy Robinson-Jasmine Francisco

MISTRESS OF CEREMONY Cleo Parker Robinson

INVOCATION Pastor Reverend Eugene Downing, Jr New Hope Baptist Church

DINNER Gwen Brewer Chair, DWTDS Steering Committee Chair, CPRD Board of Directors

VIDEO PADDLE RAISE Reggie Rivers

THE DENVER STARS, PART 2 (7 STARS) 7 - Patrick Heck-Theresa Berger 8 - Cliff Riggsbe-Jessica Horton 9 - Amy Parsons-Cedric Hall 10 - Gloria Neal-Davry Ratcliffe 11 - Colleen Faddick-Martez McKinzy 12 - Alice Jackson-John Roberts

Malik Robinson Executive Director, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Introduced by Antonio Garnier Tobar Leighthen Howard and Stephanie Howard

13 - Joel Hillan-YooJung Hahm

CLOSING REMARKS AND SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ENTERTAINMENT DJ Starchild

The funds raised at the 2017 DWTDS Gala paddle raise, enabled CPRD to increase programming by 30%.

In 2017-18, CPRD partnered with 12 new K-12 schools, 82% of which qualified for full or partial financial support.

Funds raised at tonight’s paddle raise will enable CPRD to partner with new schools, offer deeper programming to current partners, provide additional training to our education team, and award scholarships to students who wish to take their training to the next level.

Tonight’s event is the key fundraising platform that allows us to bring art, movement, multiculturalism, and dance to schools across the Denver Metro Area. CPRD works with schools of all sizes and budgets. For schools who need financial support, we subsidize our programming with funds raised from tonight’s event. To qualify for support, CPRD follows the following guidelines, schools must: 1. Reside in Five Points, and/or 2. Have an 80% or higher free and reduced lunch rate (FRL), and/or 3. Support an arts-based curriculum model.

“Thank you for joining us tonight.

Your impact will be felt by thousands of children throughout this 2018-19 school year.

Your support will ignite, inspire, and engage our communities, and our children.”

- Shelby, Amelia, Trey, and the entire Education Team

“Denver’s best cultural groups - the ones that truly get it right - do even more.

They help us understand who we are, what we can be and how much fun we can have along the way. …. they increase everyone’s access to art…

Cleo Parker Robinson is a local hero. Her dance company has been a Denver stalwart since 1970, inspiring young people, giving dancers quality work, staging performances that are a heck of a lot of fun.”

- The Denver Post

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance is an international, performing arts and educational institution rooted in African American traditions, and dedicated to excellence in providing cross-cultural instruction, performances and enrichment programs empowering all our communities by cultivating the healthy mind, body and spirit development for inter-generational students, artists and audiences.

Arc Thrift Stores is a proud sponsor of

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Dancing with Denver’s Stars

Arc Thrift Stores is a proud sponsor of

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Dancing with Denver’s Stars