The Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA), a Washington, DC area based arts organization is hosting a variety of musical events during its upcoming 10th Anniversary year beginning with the annual “Melody of Art Pre-Caucus Reception” on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street, NE, Washington, DC from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Taking place on the eve of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 43rd Annual Legislative Conference, this year’s free event is the kick-off to an aggressive campaign called “Join the CAAPA Cause…Help Bring Color to the Classics!” in hopes of raising membership, financial support and awareness for African American classical musicians along with others in the performing arts.
The non-profit organization is hoping the year-long fundraising activities will continue to assist students, aspiring and emerging African American classical musicians in an effort to bring to fruition the organization's mission, "Bringing Color to the Classics!" As CAAPA has done in the past, they will also continue to partner with a variety of arts organizations, community groups and artists to help educate audiences and develop relationships between presenters and African American classical musicians while showcasing talent. The business chic “Melody of Art Pre-Caucus Reception” kick-off will showcase such talent while fusing visual artists, poets, a red carpet and CAAPA’s signature cocktail, the “Opera-tini”.
“The Coalition is excited to share these unique performance opportunities with partners, audiences, sponsors and friends,” stated Executive Director Terri Allen. “Helping foster the artist’s professional dreams, whether they are a youngster just starting piano or a vocalist at the pinnacle of their career, it’s especially rewarding to know CAAPA helped,” Allencontinued. The organization epitomizes a desire to assist musicians in a substantial way with the financial assistance of corporate and private donors, benefactors and supporters. Co-founders, classically trained brother and sister musicians Victor and Pamela Simonson began the organization because they too were encouraged in their youth, from the support of organizations and arts lovers.
“This is our way of giving back to the community”, shared Ms. Simonson. “We were beneficiaries of many organizations and it’s our way of saying thank you for supporting us”, she stated. Both co-founders currently have successful performance careers in classical music and often serve as mentors and role models for aspiring classical musicians.
CAAPA’s year-long celebration will offer subscription and individual ticket sales to the variety of musical fundraising events, as well as sponsorship opportunities, which may be found on the organization’s website at Click here.
Events include: “Gershwin and Grits Brunch”, Sat. October 19, 2013; “Champagne & Chopin Holiday Soiree” Thursday, December 12, 2013; “Blacks in Classical Music Symposium” Saturday, February 8, 2014; “Paintings, Poetry, Puccini & Pasta” Thursday, April 10, 2014; “Rossini on the Rooftop Reception” Saturday, May 17, 2014; and a juried “Student Showcase” on Saturday, June 7th, 2014. The organization winds down the year with their “Awards Banquet & Gala” on Friday, June 20th. The fundraisers also showcase African American classical performances and most include CAAPA’s signature cocktails, the “Opera-tini” and the “Bach-arita”.
“Bringing Color to the Classics!” is CAAPA’s way of reaching children, students, adults, families and arts lovers with classical music, ultimately helping build appreciation in an art form often thought of as elitist in the African American community. Founders are confident the bevy of CAAPA’s 10th Anniversary unique musical events will help dispel that myth.
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