|
Safe Space celebrated the opening of its new headquarters in Jamaica Queens, with a free community concert, “Safe Space and Broadway Light Up Jamaica Avenue”, at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center on September 13th.
Infused with themes of hope, community, and self-empowerment, the hour-long event featured seven professional performers from Broadway in South Africa, a nonprofit that uses the arts to impact at-risk populations, along with 33 youth from across Safe Space’s programs ranging in age from seven to 22.
“We knew this was going to be a special event, and it exceeded our expectations,” said Safe Space President and CEO Christine Molnar. “The talent was tremendous, and performing with the stars from Broadway in South Africa gave our youth the chance to dream big as well as the courage to realize those dreams.”
Mamma Mia! star and dance teacher Frankie James Grande and 10 Safe Space youth warmed up the crowd by dancing to Deborah Cox’s “Beautiful U R” with synchronized moves, helicopter swings, and acrobatic handstands. Later the crowd was moved by a duet version of “Wheels of a Dream” by Brandon Victor Dixon, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in The Color Purple and will play Ray Charles in the upcoming Unchain My Heart, and singing teacher Sasha Sloan, who starred in Ragtime at the Kennedy Center.
“Being up on stage was a really good experience. I felt free and warm,” said Wonkly Martinez, 22, a long-time participant in Safe Space’s Drop-In Center. “It was very exciting to be in front of the audience and see that many people cheering us on. The performers were all supportive of each other, and it felt like we were a real team. I loved it…It happed so fast.”
Broadway in South Africa’s Executive Director Sean Bradford, who played Simba in The Lion King, was joined by a chorus of 25 youngsters from Safe Space’s after-school enrichment programs as the audience clapped, swayed, and smiled.
Safe Space took the opportunity to present the Jack Kupferberg Lifetime Achievement Award to Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, who spoke about the importance of working with youth. “They are our future,” she said.
Safe Space, which offers a wide array of services focusing on building strong families, fostering mental and physical health, reducing community and family violence, and providing school- based enrichment, moved to its brand new Headquarters in the heart of downtown Jamaica in July.
|
Comments