Dance finale wraps up CME summer camp
Exuberant dancing, and rousing drumming highlighted the finale Friday evening of the Community Moving Education’s five-week summer camp.
Held at the Armory, the choreography and its costuming punctuated a camp season for about 15 young people, now in its third year.
Founded by French Haynes, who worked as a dancer, English and special needs teacher, and arts administrator in New York City over the past three decades, thanked the community for its support this past season, particularly since the camp had lost its earlier funding from CareerSource Gulf Coast and relied entirely on private donations.
The dance company who performed in the first half included Khambrel Anthony, Ja’Nya Bell, Kariyana Bell, Aliy Francisco, Franco Francisco, Micah Edwards, Zariah Harvey. Gregory Nichols, Evangeline Richard, Gabrielle Robinson and Caroline Siprell.
The dances included “Disney Our Way,” a series of numbers drawing on that influence, as well as a Beyonce Remix.
During intermission, the audience took a break to enjoy refreshments, highlighted by fresh raw oysters provided by Water is Life Oysters, a company run by Xochitl Bervera and Kung Li.
The second half offered remarks on the camp’s STEM (Science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum, overseen by Jerry Richard.
Artist in Residence Shawn Lawrence, who specializes in West African percussion, then led a rousing session that featured West African dance led by Tifini Austin, also an artist in residence.
In his remarks, Haynes stressed that much of the dance and music, as well as a dramatic production directed by Eastpoint’s Nick Avossa at the Chapman Theatre a week earlier, had been entirely the creation of the young people.
Funding support for the camp came from the city of Apalachicola, the North Florida African American Corridor Project, the Florida State University – Panama City Ascent Program, Apalachicola Friends of Community Moving Education and the Near Futures Projects.
Patrons who provided funding for CME interns include Sandra Sims-Williams, Luvvie Ajayi Jones, Callie Crossley, Richelle Parham, Bervera and Li.
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.