Rotations May 13, 2014
The Antique and Flea Market will be June 13 & 14 at ODU’s Foreman Field. We are now collecting items for sale in the Rotary Tent.
Coming up soon is our participation in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Clean the Bay Day on June 7 from 9-12.
Oh my goodness gracious! Lynne Berg, our songbird for this month, led us in singing “Alouette.” To me, the French sounded pretty good….but I’m not a good judge….after all I struggled with French in high school. I’d hate to think of what we might have actually been singing. Turns out, it is about some young children plucking the feathers from a lark after having been awakened by its song. Lynne also led us in one certifiable book slapper (My Country Tis of Thee) and one near book slapper for those who have been Rotarians for a while (R-O-T-A-R-Y).
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Bill “Irish” Burnette told a story of a poor Irishman who fell into a vat of beer. That led to a traditional Irish blessing.
Ed Lilly updated us on three Rotarians who aren’t able to be with us. Tom (Semper Fi) Richards continues his recuperation. Morgan (need any insurance?) Trimyer is undergoing chemo therapy. Unfortunately, he currently can’t eat or drink. Ken Weeks is “stable” (doesn’t that sound like a doctor) at Harbor’s Edge. All three would appreciate hearing from their fellow Rotarians.
Barbara Lipskis introduced the visitors. Dick Gresham is a frequent visitor to our club and Susan Perkins from the Rotary Club of Polokwana. So this inquiring reporter wanted to know, where is Polokwana? Hawaii, perhaps Washington State? Turns out that Susan is far, far away from home. Polokwana is a town in Limpopo Province, South Africa.
The Rotarian of the Week was George (I’m a proud Hokie) Compo. He was born into a military family in Florida but his father had at least two tours of duty in Norfolk. He is married to Saunders Compo and they are the proud parents of two daughters and one granddaughter. George graduated from Virginia Tech and is the President of Compo Construction Company. He has given freely of his time to various entities including Westminster-Canterbury, St. Mary’s Home, various builder associations and has been actively involved in the Virginia Tech community. He has been a member of our Club for 25 years. His hobbies include traveling, boating, and spending time with his granddaughter, who undoubtedly has him wrapped around her little finger.
President Susan racked in some more “happy bucks” today. Steve Jolly has twin granddaughters. He gave happy bucks because he officiated at one of his granddaughter’s wedding three weeks ago and the other granddaughter just graduated from Old Dominion University. Cynthia Carter-West paid happy bucks to announce a free outdoor event. Cirque Mechanics, will be performing on the Plaza this weekend. Prod mama, Diane (I’m a proud mama) Wallach’s daughter will dance with the Dance Theater of Harlem this weekend.
Jim O’Brien was interviewed on Channel 13 about Project Healing Waters. They are having a fundraiser Thursday night. Norm (what have you read recently) Maas paid tribute to Louis Guy, the former head of the Norfolk Utilities Department who died recently. Gary (I’m proud to be a tiger”) Boswick announced that his son has decided against going to the tenth oldest school in the nation (Hampden Sydney) but will start his studies at that upstart school in Charlottesville (UVA) in the fall.
The Rotarian of the Day was Mal Branch, a retired Navy officer and former CEO of Virginia Ship Repair Association. He joined our club in 2002 and was on the committee that helped plan the centennial kickoff.
The featured speaker was Virginia Johnson, the artistic director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Ms. Johnson began her dance studies at the tender age of 3. She was the first African-American at the Washington School of Ballet. After completing high school, she continued her dance studies at New York University. While at NYU, she also had studied with Arthur Mitchell, then the principal dancer with the New York Ballet. When Mitchell decided to start the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ms. Johnson joined the troupe.
The Dance Theatre of Harlem was founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell. He had been the principal dancer with the New York Ballet. He was asked by the United States to go to Brazil to establish a ballet company. When he heard about the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, he decided instead to start a ballet school in Harlem. Mitchell believed that the ballet school would enable the students to become focused, discipline and develop fortitude. When the students at the ballet school didn’t see a future, Mr. Mitchell decided to start a dance company.
Over the years, the Dance Theatre of Harlem has helped to break down barriers. Many people couldn’t imagine a black ballet company, but once they saw the company’s performances, it brought into question many long held beliefs.
The Dance Theatre of Harlem experienced financial difficulties in 2004 and ceased operations. At the time, there were 44 dancers and when they toured, it required three tractor-trailers for the equipment. In 2010, Ms. Johnson got a call from her mentor, Mr. Mitchell and he wanted to reinvigorate the company. It was re-envisioned and today has 18 dancers. The dancers are all under contract for 30 weeks a year, of which 12 are spent touring.
The Dance Theatre of Harlem is presenting three different programs while in Norfolk. The first, Gloria, involves some the young dancers from Hampton Roads, including Diane Wallach’s daughter. Gloria was created by Robert Garland for Poulenc’s Gloria and pays tribute to Harlem’s rich history combining spirituality, African dance and ballet.
On Saturday, the program includes Gloria, Far But Close, and Return. Far But Close combines dance, music and the spoken word. Return has music by Aretha Franklin and James Brown.
Sunday’s program features Gloria, Return, Lark Ascending with music by Ralph Vaughn Williams, and Glinco Pas De Trois which features three members of the company.
The Dance Theatre of Harlem also has a three year agreement with the Virginia Arts Festival. They will return in 2015 with a Professional Training Program. They have an outreach program with three different types of classes: a master class for ballet, movement classes for non-dancers and athletic workshops. Ballet is a good foundation for all types of dance.
In 2016, the Dance Theatre of Harlem will unveil a new dance commissioned by the Virginia Arts Festival.
The company’s budget is currently funded by 70% from contributed income (grants, foundations) and 30% from budgets.
In honor of Ms. Johnson’s talk, the Club is giving the book “Jumanji” by Chris Van Allsburg, to Willoughby Elementary School.
The small pot was won by Harry McCoy who pocketed $19. The big pot remains waiting for some lucky Rotarian or visitor to draw the queen of spades.
I’m off to the Rotary International Convention in Sydney, Australia. I thank the club for sending the President-Elect to the convention.