Downing-Gross Recognizes National Women’s History Month with March Programming
March 8th, 2018 · Newport News, VA
Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center has joined the national celebration of Women’s History Month. The celebration began with a sold out show on March 3rd – The 4th Annual Ladies in Red Concert and Award Show. This annual performance, presented by Myra Smith-Jones, honors local women for their contributions to society. Among the awardees were Virginia Beach resident Andrea Gaines, President and Founder of Habesha Momma, Inc. – a foundation dedicated to improving the livelihood of children in Ethiopia – and Sirron Ware, licensed stylist and creator of A Beautiful Coif, supplying free wigs to women suffering cancer-related hair loss. The event featured a choir of 60 women, aptly dressed in red, performing a variety of medleys and songs by female artists.
They are continuing the momentum with their third installment of Pearl Bailey’s Hidden Gems Dance Series, choreographed by Hampton-resident and founder of The Goode Dance Project, Iris Goode Middleton. Also, Pearl 100 – starring local performer and Pearl-impersonator, Nina Brewton – will be held on March 29th, celebrating the 100th birthday of the late American Icon in her birthplace.
To close out the month of programming, Downing-Gross will acknowledge the future of women’s history – the youth. The cultural arts center is proud to present their first ever girls’ empowerment conference, Young Lady You Are, sponsored by Lions Bridge Financial Advisors.
“We intend to create a positive epidemic of change for young ladies in Newport News and surrounding cities through the arts. They will experience a network of local creative talent that will expose them to feasible avenues for self-expression in successful, artistic ways – ways which would have otherwise remained “hidden” to them.” remarked Cindy Johnson, Cultural Arts Specialist and YLYA Program Developer. “Our goal for Young Lady You Are is to expose these young ladies to unconventional avenues to success via the arts and culture. Thus, they will get hands-on instruction through fun workshops pertaining to careers in the arts that are led by successful, local, female business leaders.”
This one-day conference will feature three workshops, each focusing on a different form of self-expression – dance, fashion, and culinary arts. It will culminate in a panel discussion with local women who have careers associated with the arts, followed by a keynote address and a special guest performance. This event is free but registration is required.
For more information on these programs and other events happening at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, visit www.downing-gross.org or call 757-247-8950.