Exceptional Achievements: KLPE Road Trip!
Tennessee to Georgia and back to the Chi:Kuumba Lynx Performance Ensemble (KLPE) ventured South on November 15, 2007 for our first out of state performance of the school year. This year’s journey was prefaced with a kiss from mother Earth as the youth stepped off the concrete city streets to fully experience the plush brown earth and natural surroundings. In the Tennessee mountains, our youth engaged in rock climbing and cavern navigating in the picturesque Rock City. Taking in the beautiful color changes of Fall, our youth were invigorated and awed by Mother Earth’s nurturing beautification and blessings. The tone was set for an incredible trip! Afterwards, KLPE left Rock City to continue our journey to Atlanta, Georgia. With no definite plans other than to explore the Spellman College campus, KLPE members happened to stumble upon a campus talent show presented by SKIRTS (Sisters Keeping it Real Through Service) which was slated to begin that evening. Unexpectedly, KLPE was recognized by an event staff member and then invited to perform as guests of honor for the show. Of course the KLPE crew represented for the Chi and threw down to thunderous applause!KLPE once again performed in Columbus, Georgia for the School of Americas Watch “Vigil and Nonviolent Direct Action to Close the School of the Americas and to Change the Racist System of Violence and Domination!” This annual gathering brings together thousands of high school, college students and elders together to remember the numerous lives taken at the hands of this institution and to decry the US government sponsored training of South American mercenaries. Our youth are still talking about this trip and their positive experiences. In all, ten youth made the journey. Here are their words: Sejahari, 8 yearsOur first show was at Spellman, we performed dances from the show Word! Everyone liked us, we all did good!
Davante, 15 yearsGoing to ATL was a great experience, to me everything was cool, everything was positive, there was no negativity.
Darius, 16 yearsThe trip to ATL was a very exciting experience. The thing that stuck out to me most was when we were performing at Spellman College for their annual talent show. At first I was under the impression that we were going to be competing, but then was informed that we were going to be honorary guests, it made me feel real good about being a KLPE member cuz its is movement and we about to take over!
Jahleigh, 10 yearsThe best part of the trip for me was the Spellman performance, my brother just started footworking out of the blue. I was proud of him!
Shannon, 14 yearsMy experience in Georgia was very fun because we performed at a big college. Also we slept in a hotel and visited with Jaquanda’s sister. Even though she had two dogs ( she put them away), it was a fun and great experience.
Hamid, 7 yearsWe went to Spellman College. The best part was seeing different people perform and clap. Kuumba Lynx has performed at colleges across the nation including The New School in New York City, San Francisco University, Clark-Atlanta University, Spellman College, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, University of Wisconsin-Madison and more. Nationally, KLPE has toured San Francisco, New York, Atlanta, South Dakota, Grand Canyon, Hawaii, and Cuba.
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