OCTOBER 22, 2014: 26th Annual Gala

Arts for the Aging hosted its annual fall gala at Society of the Cincinnati at Anderson House on October 22 with a reception, arts performance by Verge Ensemble, and toasts honoring Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  In an evening emceed by artist Bill Dunlap, the 6th Lolo Sarnoff Award — so named after our nonagenarian founder — was presented to the Supreme Court Justice by longtime friends Bill and Dorothy McSweeny, and patrons gave a touching interactive tribute led by AFTA teaching artist Miles Spicer with members of Downtown Clusters Geriatric Day Care Center, inviting everyone in a serenade of the pop standard, “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter”.  Justice Ginsburg cited AFTA’s founder for her “love of music and art, and caring about the right things” — a moving sentiment for the occasion, Celebrating Lifelong Creativity.  Event photographs are available for viewing here (by Gene Carl Feldman), and also at these links from Washington Life, DC Hotspots and The Georgetowner.  For the evening’s program, click here.


JULY 31, 2014: 2nd Annual Kevin-mas

Arts for the Aging trustee Kevin Bryan invited his circle of friends to make a difference for his birthday by making a donation in support of AFTA’s mission.  On July 31 at Slate Wine Bar + Bistro in Washington D.C., dozens gathered to do just that.  The evening included delicious happy hour specials and some terrific door prize give-aways, including personal trainings, bike rentals, massages and restaurant certificates.  Photographs from the evening can be viewed here.


Shine Together with Kensington Park

The greater Washington, D.C. area may have experienced one of the coldest winters on record, but Mother Nature has rewarded our tenacity with a beautiful spring. In fact, the Washington Post is boasting a ten week streak of (nearly) rain free weekends. Our Shine Together program at Kensington Park Senior Living could not have a more fitting backdrop. For the past six weeks, members of Kensington Park’s Independent and Assisted Living communities joined in celebrating a mutual love of the arts. The series culminates in a Summer Garden Party on Saturday, June 14, 2014. The best part? You’re invited – more information below.

ARTWORK FROM LOOKING OUT LOUD
ARTWORK FROM LOOKING OUT LOUD

AFTA Teaching Artist Donna McKee’s program Looking Out Loudengaged seniors in the Independent Living community in an exploration of visual art intersecting with performing arts. They also assisted in setting an artistic scene for residents in the Assisted Living community, who put together a musical performance Kensington Kabaret with AFTA Teaching Artist Peter Burroughs.

DRAWING TO MUSIC
DRAWING TO MUSIC

Artists in Looking Out Loud let go of inhibitions and let music guide them as they created abstract shapes and mandalas. At the first session ofLooking Out Loud, participants expressed uncertainty about successfully completing an art project.  Donna encouraged them to let go of their expectations and simply move a piece of charcoal across the paper to Mozart’s Overture from Don Giovanni. At the end of the session, participant Skip commented, ‘There was no feeling of stress.  This is my kind of day!'”

Images from the art sessions, along with specially crafted streamers, will enhance the performance by members of the Kensington Kabaret.

DSC_0249
DOING THE CAN-CAN!

Meanwhile, Teaching Artist Peter Burroughs and residents in the Assisted Living Community are kicking up their heels and singing musical theater numbers for the Kensington Kabaret performance on June 14. Group discussions centered on cabaret shows and the artwork of Henri de Toulousse-Lautrec. In fact, you may recognize Toulousse-Lautrec’s iconic “can-can” painting when the seniors perform their own version of “Can-Can”, complete with lyrics of their own creation:

We CAN do almost anything

Like dance and sing! WE CAN!

CAN smile and laugh and eat

Our veggies from a CAN!

WE CAN share our art and talent

With our artist friends from down the road

Oh yes WE CAN

After doing the can-can, participant Mary remarked that she had a stroke not long ago, and for a while it was difficult to do anything. “But now,” Mary says, “I’m doing the can-can!”.

OUR ACCOMPANIST, ANGELA
OUR ACCOMPANIST, ANGELA

Join us if you can-can!

Shine Together Garden Party

Premiere performance of Kensington Kabaret, art exhibitions, refreshments and more.

  June 14, 2014

4:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Location:  Kensington Park Senior Living

 3620 Littledale Road

        Kensington, MD 20895

Free and open to all ages


NOVEMBER 5, 2013: Cherishing Silver – 25th Anniversary Gala

Reception hosted by His Excellency Manuel Sager, Ambassador of Switzerland, and Mrs. Christine Sager with the Host Committee Chair, esteemed artist Bill Dunlap; tributes to Swiss-German artist, scientist, entrepreneur, humanitarian, philanthropist and nonagenarian, AFTA Founder Lolo Sarnoff; presentation of the 5th Annual Sarnoff Award toAmbassador Donald T. Bliss (ret.) for distinguished philanthropy, community service and engagement in the arts; and a multi-cultural interactive performance of works from cabaret, film and stage with Cabaret Sauvignon, an opera-cabaret group featuring Peter Burroughs, Carlos César Rodríguez, Jennifer Suess and special guest Randa Rouweyha.  The evening’s program can be found here and event photographs are here.  Our press coverage can be found at The Washington Post’s The Scene, Washington Life, The Georgetowner and Hollywood on Potomac.