11th Annual Dancing with the Denver Stars

Warmest greetings from Cleo and the entire Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Village: Tonight, as we celebrate our 51st Anniversary Season, we welcome you with the deepest appreciation to our 11th Annual “Dancing with the Denver Stars (DWTDS)!” 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!

Despite the incredible challenges of 2020, this past season remained vibrant as our various Ensembles and the CPRD Education Team provided live-stream and in-person performances, workshops, master classes and residencies to over 40,000 people in over 150 venues across the state, the nation and around the world. We provided a virtual Creative Academy and 26th Annual International Summer Dance Institute (ISDI), enabling students to continue their dance studies in safety. Our year-round Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Academy continued to thrive with over 700 students of all ages and levels of abilities receiving extraordinary training. Each of these programs (and their respective scholarships) continue to expand, largely sustained through the support of tonight’s Stars and all of you attending this evening - both in person in the ballroom and virtually from home.

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 do we share the power, passion, and beauty of movement throughout the Front Range in teaching residencies, but we also enable hundreds of K-12 students to attend special performances of our major concerts and other special dance events created specifically for them. For many of these students, this is their first opportunity to experience professional dance, live music, and spoken word, whether from a theatre seat or on a computer screen.

Their enthusiastic appreciation of these opportunities is motivating and inspirational to all of us – now, more than ever!

We extend our deepest thanks to our Event Co-Chairs Amy Parsons and Karen McNeil-Miller and the members of our DWTDS 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, interns and volunteers – all working countless hours on every detail of “DWTDS” to ensure not only a memorable 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 “Hollywood In Black!” 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

Good Evening, 10th Anniversary Dancing with the Denver Stars Guests!

As we sit on the cusp of the 50th anniversary of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD), we, as Board Chair and Executive Director, couldn’t feel prouder. Last year, we discussed CPRD’s unprecedented growth, much of it made possible through DWTDS and our paddle raise. At that time, we stood in front of you with an audacious goal: to provide services to 75 schools in the 2018-19 school year.

We are so pleased to tell you, we did it! We served 77 unduplicated schools in the past school year.

Is it possible to keep growing?

Our answer is an emphatic yes. Your support tonight continues our upward trajectory and we thank you in advance for your generosity during our paddle raise, where we hope to beat last year’s total of $100,000 to support our Arts-inEducation programs.

Ten years ago, a risky idea to connect business leaders with our mission on the dance floor seemed a bit crazy. As of tonight, over 100 Denver Stars are now a part of our family, celebrating culture, community and education. Dancing with the Denver Stars is a must-see event, consistently selling out and boasting one of the best nights of the year. This evening, as our newest class of Denver Stars perform to the songs of some of Broadway’s greatest musicals, let’s cheer them on!

We are deeply gratefully to the individuals who worked so diligently to make this event possible: our Event Chair Celia Dietrich (also a Star Alumna), 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. We 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.

Sincerely, Malik Robinson, Executive Director Gwen Brewer, Board Chair Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance has served as a beacon of inspiration and hope in our community for more than 50 years. When the pandemic hit and impacted all of their programs including DWTDS, they led the way in showing us all the model for resiliency, creativity and the spirit of positivity. How incredibly special it is to be back together tonight, celebrating both in person and online, the triumphant return of DWTDS and to all be looking forward to supporting the Arts in Education programs that CPRD will be bringing back into the schools this year.

I had the honor of dancing in DWTDS in 2018 and seeing firsthand the world class talent of the dancers and the staff.

It was an experience of a lifetime and I became a permanent and fervent supporter of CPRD. From the time I first danced with DWTDS to now, I’ve changed careers and started a new company, Mozzafiato, but carried my support for CPRD right through my new endeavors.

It’s an honor to serve as co-chair of DWTDS this year in my new role as CEO of Mozzafiato and do my part to encourage others to support the Arts in Education program that will bring the joy and inspiration to the youth of our community who need it now more than ever. Together we can all play a role in giving youth the opportunity to express themselves and discover their talents, to see the positive role models in CPRD, and to know they will be supported on their journeys. Let’s all double our efforts in this year of recovery to support CRPD and our youth through the Arts in Educations Programs.

I want to extend a warm welcome to one of my favorite events of the year – Dancing with the Denver Stars – with one of my most beloved organizations, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD)!

This year, we have guests in person, as well as online. Thank you, all, for sharing in this experience with us. Whether you’re attending onsite or joining from home – we’re so glad to be together, and we’re grateful to you for prioritizing CPRD’s mission. Your support of tonight's event makes our vibrant and extensive arts in education programs possible – this year, all of which are offered in person and virtually!

CPRD is more than a jewel in the African-American community – but rather all of Denver and Colorado. It has always been rooted in community. For 50 years, they have inspired and encouraged us to move our bodies – and we know how important that is for health. I had the honor of moving my body as a dancer participant in 2019, and I can tell you from experience, as a Denver Star alum, that tonight’s dancers have worked hard and now have a whole new understanding of what “fancy footwork” really entails!

CPRD is more than a dance company. It’s a community outreach and education partner with a local, national and international footprint – and I couldn’t be prouder to call the incredibly creative, passionate folks of this organization family, mentors and friends. It makes my heart beam with joy to think, in a year as tumultuous as the one we’ve all been through, that thousands of kiddos across 80 school partners have continued to receive arts in education programming. CPRD has offered – and will continue to thanks to you – a rare and oh-so-necessary opportunity for students to get up from the screen, explore movement and creative expression, and find connection at a time in our country when much of that has been lost. This is the truly transformative opportunity your support fuels. This is the sort of access and engagement that must continue to be available in our communities.

Last year, our paddle raise brought in more than $100,000. Let’s beat that tonight! The health, mental health and well-being of our children depends on it, and it’s more critical than ever as CPRD continues to innovate to meet students where they are in the context of the continuously evolving pandemic that’s severely impacted the quality of education and life for so many kids.

Thank you to the stellar CPRD staff for their work to pull off what I know will be another dazzling event – on top of the tireless work of their everyday! Thanks also to the CPRD board of directors, advisory committee and my event cochair extraordinaire, Amy Parsons. And to our sponsors and supporters – bravo!

In good health.

PRESENTING SPONSORS Colorado Health Foundation Mozzafiato DANCE OF LIFE SPONSORS Safeway Foundation Xcel Energy DANCE OF PASSION SPONSORS Butler Snow Colorado Trust PNC Bank DANCE OF GRACE SPONSORS Empower Retirement Latino Community Foundation US Bank DANCE OF FAITH SPONSORS AOR Canvas Credit Union CHFA Downtown Denver Hilton Dr. Reggie and Faye Washington Farley Health Policy Center Mortenson Construction Moving Forward Porter-Billups Leadership Academy Polsinelli Solutions FBIA EVENT CHAIRS Karen McNeil Miller Amy Parsons

DINNER COMMITTEE Black Pride Colorado Cleo Parker Robinson CPRD Board of Directors Delta Eta Boule Gwen and Moses Brewer In Memory of Jim Wallace Jametta White Kim Bimestefer and Sara Wahls Lisa Levin Appel Malik Robinson & Vianey Gonzalez Maude Lofton The Links inc., Denver Chapter VIRTUAL DINNER COMMITTEE Schyleen Qualls Tina Walls GALA STEERING COMMITTEE: Gwen Brewer Cleo Parker Robinson Hillary Harding Rhetta Williams Shead Trey Grimes SPECIAL THANKS TO: Matt Dyer and Devils River Whiskey for tonight's Signature Beverage VIDEOGRAPHER Lawrence Alexander Reflections in Video Productions, Inc. GRAPHIC DESIGN Jody Gilbert KOLORGRAPHIX

ADMINISTRATION Cleo Parker Robinson Founder / Artistic Director Malik Robinson Executive Director Rhetta Shead Director of Administration Hillary Harding Director of Development Shelby Jarosz Senior Director of Programs and Education Tohbias Juniel Director of Advocacy and Engagement Winifred R. Harris Associate Artistic Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chloe Abel Ensemble Rehearsal Director

Gwen Brewer Chair

Mary Hart Director of Bookings and Touring

Cleo Parker Robinson * Founder / Artistic Director

Trey Grimes Technical Director

Malik Robinson Executive Director

Amelia Dietz Academy Director

Tyrone Gant Treasurer

Matisse McKnight Theatre Manager

Debbie Herrera Vice Chair

Shel Bachelder Education Coordinator

Shale Wong Vice Chair

Micah Bursh Development Associate

Josett Valdez Secretary

Victoria Shead-Johnston Assistant Academy Administrator Emily Poli Assistant Academy Administrator Pat Smith (OnTarget Public Relations) Marketing and Public Relations Contractor

Lisa Levin Appel, Toni Baruti, Jehan Benton-Clark, Darryl Collier, Tim Davis, Christopher Cardenas, Demesha Hill, Lisa Hogan, Matthew Keeney, Tony Price, Maria Sepulveda, Robert Thompson, J. Matt Thornton, Josett Valdez, Alfred Walker, Jennifer Wozniak

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

Shed G Master of Ceremony CPRD Ensemble, Cleo II, Youth Ensemble and Junior Youth Ensemble Performing to a medley of Broadway Show Tunes Cleo Parker Robinson Mistress of Ceremony Amy Parsons Karen McNeil-Miller Co-Chairs, Dancing with the Denver Stars Introduced by Ximalma Gonzalez-Robinson, Xareni Gonzlez-Robinson and Kairo Jackson GRAND ENTRANCE Denver Star Dances, Part 1 (listed alphabetically, not in order of appearance)

Justin Adams Abasi Baruti Gillian Bidgood Elias Diggins Ryan Harris Carlos Martinez

Malik Robinson Executive Director, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Gwen Brewer Chair, CPRD Board of Directors Chair, DWTDS Steering Committee Introduced by Amelia Jarosz and Violet Jarosz VIDEO PADDLE RAISE AND LIVE AUCTION Reggie Rivers The Denver Stars, Part 2 (listed alphabetically, not in order of appearance)

Christian McGill Maja Rosenquist Danielle Shoots Kris Staaf Brooke Trammell Fabian Tunson Closing Remarks and Special Acknowledgements

For 51 years, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (also known as the New Dance Theatre, Inc.) has been committed to teaching and educating. Although there was a distinct feeling of despair when the Covid-19 pandemic ensnared our country, CPRD remained focused and undeterred about its purpose and mission. We continued to honor and share our stories and got creative as we created Zoom, Facebook live, and other free options for students isolated during 2020.

“When we teach dance, we teach math, movement, culture, memorization, the blend of music and movement and this collaborative intention between people. When children from different backgrounds see the diversity of our teaching artists and professionals in the CPRD Ensemble, they can visualize a new future for themselves as we introduce hope and confidence.”

--Malik Robinson, CPRD Executive Director

At the end of 2020, CPRD had served a record 82,688 students with virtual and outdoor programming.

The Dancing with the Denver Stars Gala is our largest and most important annual fundraiser. 2021 funds will support s Arts in Education programs at 80+ schools s Tuition support for high school and young adult students wishing to complete our STREAM technical theatre program s Scholarships for students wishing to develop as technical dancers in our Academy

“I’m happy to be able to give to the scholarship fund. When I was a kid, my parents had to ask me to stop dancing because they couldn’t afford to send me to dance anymore. I was devastated. Someone connected with my dance studio found out and provided an anonymous donation that paid for my tuition. It saved me—that studio was where I felt most comfortable in my skin and where I could escape reality. I’ve always wanted to pay that gift forward and so I’m honored to be able to do this now. Keep up the great work. Cleo’s is a very special place.”

--Danielle Funds from the 11th Anniversary of Dancing with The Denver Stars delivers art, movement, multiculturalism, and dance to schools across the Denver Metro Area. Schools of all sizes and budgets benefit from a sliding scale of fees and subsidies supplemented by tonight’s event.

Do you have a school that needs Dance, movement and culture?

Contact Shelby@cleoparkerdance.org

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.

1st Annual DWTDS Event Chairs | Moses Brewer and John Wagner Honorary Chair | Sandy Wolf Dance Styles from Around the World 2010 Dawn Bookhardt 2010 Moses Brewer 2010 Louisa Collins 2010 Eric Lee 2010 Richard Lewis 2010 Donna Lynne 2010 Scott Mitchell 2010 Laura Nieto 2010 Jesse Ogas 2010 Sandra “Coco” Roberts-Taylor 2010 Rich Rogers 2010 Faye Washington 2010 Faye Wilson Tate

2nd Annual DWTDS Event Chairs | Donna Lynne and Richard Lewis Honorary Chairs | Dawn Bookhardt and Moses Brewer Salute to Ballroom Dance Styles 2011 Geta Asfaw 2011 Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis, 2011 Damon & Heather Barry 2011 Felix Burrows Jr 2011 Brenda W. Granger 2011 Charles “CJ” Johnson 2011 Tara LaBrie 2011 Danielle LaCabe 2011 Gregory Moore & Nina Henderson Moore 2011 Chuck Morris 2011 Murugan Palani 2011 Mike & Dawn Perez 2011 Nita Mosby Tyler 3rd Annual DWTDS Event Chairs | Lloyd Lewis & Jerome Davis Honorary Co-Chairs | Geta & Janice Asfaw and Elder & Brenda Granger Disco Lives!

2012 Priya Burkett 2012 Verne Harris 2012 Kim Huskins 2012 Ken Johnson 2012 Lloyd & Kennedy Lewis 2012 Janice Turner 2012 Danielle Vaughn 2012 Quinn Washington 2012 Denver Police Chief Robert White

4th Annual DWTDS Event Chair | Janice Turner Corporate Chair | Priya Burkett Honorary Chairs | Gwen and Moses Brewer A Tribute to Michael Jackson 2013 Matthew Burkett 2013 State Rep. Rhonda Fields 2013 Demesha Hill Alumni Dance Only 2013 Cathy Kuo 2013 Mary Louise Lee 2013 Chris Martinez 2013 Kathy Nesbitt 2013 Frances & Monica Owens 2013 Ryan Ross 2013 Landri Taylor 2013 Hollie Velasquez-Horvath 5th Annual DWTDS Event Chair | Janice Turner Honorary Chair | Kathy Nesbitt A Night at the Grammys 2014 Albus Brooks 2014 Daphne Fink 2014 Jim Guttau 2014 Wanda Harris 2014 Steve Jordan 2014 Eddie Koen 2014 Kasia Iwaniczko MacKleod 2014 Elizabeth Oyekan 2014 Kirk Scheitler 2014 State Rep. Angela Williams 2014 Mollie Zimmerman 6th Annual DWTDS Event Chairs | Tim Davis, Susan France, James Kaiser, Hal Logan, Richard Male and Tina Walls Honorary Chair | Pat Cortez Ballroom Dance Styles 2015 Donna Baros 2015 Kim Bimestefer & Brent Brown 2015 Justin Cooper 2015 Hon. Crisanta Duran 2015 Hon. Michael B. Hancock 2015 Pastor Chris Hill 2015 Wy Livingston 2015 Isaiah Salazar 2015 Michael Sawaya 2015 Gloria Schoch 2015 Dee Wisor 2015 Jennifer Wozniak

7th Annual DWTDS Event Chairs | Dee Wisor and Gloria Shoch Honorary Chair | Governor John Hickenlooper

9th Annual DWTDS Event | Chairs George Sparks and Dr. Shandra Wilson

Honoring Music Royalty 2016 Brian Allen 2016 Tracee Bentley 2016 Terrance Carroll 2016 Mark Clemency 2016 Eric Hiraga 2016 Lisa Hogan (Aerial) 2016 Courtney Hutchison 2016 Kim Locker 2016 Michelle Lucero 2016 Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz 2016 Monica Rosenbluth 2016 Simone Ross 2016 George Sparks 2016 Paul Washington

A Night in Las Vegas 2018 Kristin Bronson 2018 Leslie Eaton 2018 Colleen Faddick 2018 Tyrone Gant 2018 Patrick Heck 2018 Gov. John Hickenlooper 2018 Joel Hillan 2018 Alice Jackson 2018 Kelli Kelly 2018 Gloria Neal 2018 Amy Parsons 2018 Cliff Rigsbee 2018 Murphy Robinson

8th Annual DWTDS Event | Chair Kim Bimestefer Salute to Motown 2017 Jonathan Adelman 2017 John Bolger 2017 Ivan Burwell 2017 Evan Dreyer 2017 Scott Gilmore 2017 Ken Greene 2017 Bruce Johnson 2017 Dr. Johnny E. Johnson 2017 Britt Moreno 2017 Huy Pham 2017 Marcia Romero 2017 Janice Sinden 2017 Celia Dietrich Wattles

10th Annual DWTDS A Salute to Broadway Event Chair | Celia Dietrich 2019 Darryl Collier 2019 Dr. Janine Davidson 2019 Ashley Kilroy 2019 Ron Klump 2019 Maude Lofton 2019 Kynnie Martin 2019 David Mayhan 2019 Karen McNeil-Miller 2019 Mardi Moore 2019 Nikki Price 2019 Dianne Primavera 2019 Gisela Shanahan 2019 Quincy Shannon