Teach me How to Doug E.

Stars, musical artists, and other public figures just seem to show up at THEARC these days. We are always having a surprise guest every now and then for the kids. Legendary beat boxer and Hip Hop great Doug E. Fresh dropped by the neighborhood today to teach the kids a little about Strokes and how to live a healthy life with the Hip Hop Stroke Program. The Hip Hop Stroke Program is part of Harlem Hospital Center Stroke Center’s multi-year Stroke Initiative to provide screening services and educate the community to recognize stroke symptoms.
Doug E. Fresh is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as "the Human Beat Box". One of the earliest recorded beat boxers, Fresh is able to accurately imitate drum machines and various special effects using only his mouth.He also taught us how to Doug E. (it's a dance if you did not know : ). We had lots of fun learning fun facts and we did some exercising here and there.

Did you know that In the United States, a stroke is a leading cause of adult disability and the third-leading cause of death? African Americans between 34 and 55 have the highest stroke death rates, and are 3-4 times more likely to suffer a stroke than white Americans. Yet as a group they are less likely to receive or ask for information on how to decrease, prevent, or manage stroke A stroke is known as a brain attack. It is caused by the lack of oxygen to the brain. Clogged arteries and veins are the leading causes of a stroke. That is why eating healthy should be a top priority, especially in the United Stated, because we are known to eat a lot of fast foods and we are one of the top countries that have a high obesity rate. Doug E. taught us a cool rap to recognize the signs of a stroke.

"F" is for the Face
"A" is for the Arm
"S" is for the Speech
"T" is for the Time
Time to do what?
"Call 911!"
Time to do what?
"Call 911!"

How do you prevent a stroke? Well just watch your calories. Consume calories based on your age, weight, and activity level. Eat more fruits and vegetables and exercise! Always act FAST and you could save a life.

Check out the fun!:


Chris and Johhnie have dance skills:

PEACE, NOT WAR!

Mr. Michael Stepowany gave a history lesson today about the late 60's and how our props will relate to that time period. The 60's were awkward years for the US, much like today, it was filled with war, political and sociologic tension, and the country seemed divided.
There was: Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech, psychedelic music, Kennedy's assassination, the Vietnam War, and the first man to walk the moon. It was a time when Hippies practiced the love movement and many were demonstrating against the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was a Cold War military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975 when Saigon fell. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between the communist North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other anti-communist nations. The United States entered the war to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam as part of their wider strategy of containment.

There is a scene in the play when people are demonstrating, so we made and painted picket signs for the protestors. Mr. Stepowany explained that there were several protest demonstrations throughout the 60's but the majority of them were about the Vietnam war.In the 60's was also the Black Power Movement and there was still racial tension between African Americans and Whites. All these details make up "Do You Like Good Music".

Here are a few signs that the interns made:

Walking the Cat walk

Mr. Walker made many overcome the fear of heights today, when he lead the group upstairs on the cat walk. "I do this all the time on the job", he says, "It's just part of the job." Many of the interns had second thoughts about following Mr. Walker, but he encouraged them to go on. All you have to do is just do not look down. There are several lights up there and at some point the interns are going to have to learn how to use them during the opening of "Do You Like Good Music". Kia Johnson was one of the one's who had a difficult time with heights. "I was crying up there", she said. It's okay because she conquered her fears and went up there anyway. She was all smiles when she came down. On another date Mrs. Robin Harris, the program coordinator, took us up again to the catwalk and Kia went up there freely and came down as a triumpher of fears. Hopefully, she will be one of the people who are controlling the lights during the play. After the trip from the cat walk Mr. Walker returned to the ground to teach more about lighting. Kia, Norris Wiggins, and Dana Smith are the leaders of the pack when it comes to lighting. They all take to it naturally and helped Mr. Walker setup the lighting mirrors for the play. Each of the interns are showing their different strengths with each class. I am confident that together, they will make this play the best yet.
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A Tour of the House

We took a break from costume design today and Ms. Robin took us on a tour of the house in preparation for the play, and she taught us some of the production lingo (front of the house, stage right, stage left...etc.) She made sure that we knew the in's and out's of everything and she explained how things will be set up on stage. Ms. Robin is a production pro and has been involved in theater since she was a teenager. She is also a Howard University alumni. We are learning from a pro. Our stage manager Dylan will be under Robin's wing for the upcoming weeks and she will have to fill some big shoes.

Movie Tuesday Presents Jungle Book 2

Movie Tuesday Was a hit again with the showing of "Jungle Book 2".The plot goes a little something like this, Mowgli feels out of place in his new home, despite the efforts of his friend Shanti and his new little brother. So when Baloo arrives for a visit, the man-cub takes the opportunity to return for some fun in the jungle. However, Shanti, believing her friend was taken, follows them. With Shere Khan still on the hunt for him, Mowgli must protect himself and the ones he cares about from the dangers ahead. The new adventures make him reconsider his decisions and decide which he wants more - a life of laid back hilarity with Baloo in the jungle or a simpler existance in the man village with Shanti.


The Movie began and the kids filed in and enjoyed another day of treats, popcorn, and balloons. It was another day of work for the interns, although it was worth it because they love to see the children smile. The interns spent the day preparing by blowing up balloons, popping the popcorn, making snow cones, and getting the supplies from the Splash Park. After the movie the kids got to mingle and enjoy some snacks. The cotton candy station was well organized again, being the most popular station. Kia, Giovanni, and Kiarra held things down. They beginning to be cotton candy pros. The snow cone station was also hit. It was run by Erica and Dylan. Eman was solo at the popcorn station, but she handled things brilliantly. Darlesa and Dana handled the pickles and the rest of the crew were ushers. I just want to thank everybody for a wonderful job!




Here's Ms. Shirley giving directions and the House rules to her ushers.

The Two L's: Love & Loss

What does it mean to love? Who should you choose to love? How do you handle a loss? These questions will arise sometime in life and we all have to address them accordingly and today Pastor Robin M. Stevens from the Sr. Servant Kingdom of Priests Community Church came to spread her knowledge and expertise on the answers. One of the most important things that she told her class was to love yourself FIRST. You cannot experience love without loving yourself first. You cannot give something to someone, such as love, if you do not have it inside of you first. To love yourself you must do some soul searching and see what makes you unique. These are the steps to loving yourself. First, you have to love your uniqueness and accept your flaws AND your strengths, while eliminating any form of self criticism. Second, you must be kind to yourself and think positive. Pastor Stevens said, "When you start to think kindly and positively about yourself, the love you have for yourself just grows". That love will grow so much that you will want to share it and spread it to others. Third, Acknowledge your effort. We all need to a least try to do better at things, even if we fail it is all about trying. Forgive your self for your flaws. We all are not perfect, but we need to acknowledge our flaws in order to grow. Be truthful to yourself. Never try to be someone you are not because you will miss out on inner peace.

Pastor Stevens also talked about how to choose those you want to bring into your life. Proverbs 12:26 reads, "The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray." This brings up the questions, What is a friend? How can you choose true friends?. Pastor Stevens urges us to be picky about our friends because you do not want to bring someone that may harm you into your life. Choose a person that has similar interests. Choose some who gives and takes as equally as you give and take. Balance is the key to any relationship. Choose friends that make you feel your best. Surround yourself with positive people who genuinely want you to continue to do better and happier in your life.

HOW TO DEAL WITH LOSS

Everyone's time on earth is limited and death is inevitable. We will eventually lose someone that we love. Pastor Stevens says that grief is important and a healthy human response to situation that causes a loss, including death or separation. The Grieving process is important and it may take years to complete it. Each person must go though the grieving process on his or her own timetable and way. Vulnerability, tears, pain, guilt/regret, and anger/ frustration are natural reactions.

Lastly, Pastor Stevens says be open to change. Accepting change can make a magnitude of situations better to cope with. Accept that nothing stays the same. Change can make you feel insecure when your personal foundation or the reality that you have gotten used to is no longer the comfortable way it was before. Remember that life does go on and you will create a new foundation that you will eventually get comfortable with. Pastor Stevens ended her class with this, "When you love with an open heart and you share yourself with the world, you respect another's right to live free and unbounded to you by possessive love or need. You are you, and they are who they are, and the connection between you is built on respect and love for each other's right to be."

KNOW LOVE, ACCEPT LOVE, SHARE LOVE.

A SNEAK PEAK

Kianna Lewis and Christopher Page are the two of the singers from THEARC, that sing in the production "Do You Like Good Music". The play was originally created by Melvin Andrews and Kelsey E. Collins has revised the play to show his own creative spin on things. Mr. Page and Ms. Kianna both love dancing, singing, and acting. They have been practicing for the play for weeks now and it is a count down for three more weeks until "Do You Like Good Music" to debut. Both Chris and Kianna have aspirations of becoming famous. I think we have two upcoming movie stars here! Kianna plays the lead singer from one of the great Motown groups...I will not tell which one and Chris is a Pip of Gladys Knight and the Pips. Chris will be seen in most of the musical numbers like "Upon the Roof" and "My Girl".

I have a sneak peak of Kianna dancing in "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin. Here is Kianna (the young lady in the blue hat) struttin' her stuff.


Chris and Kianna are honored to work with choreographer Roslind White. Ms. White began her musical and theatrical career early as a teenager and is a graduate from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Ms. White has had her share of the lime light. She was a background singer for Yolanda Adams and she has toured nationally with the theatrical production "Dream Girls".
Click Play to see her interview:

Stay tuned for more sneak peaks of "Do You Like Good Music"

Take a look of her choreography skills:

"HELLO, MY NAME IS..."

Allow me the pleasure to introduce the upcoming young business men & women of America! I am thrilled to be in the presence of these men & women, because they have so much potential. I hope you enjoy the interesting bios on THEARC's Summer interns.


BIOGRAPHIES


Patrick Eric Lyles is from Temple Hills, MD. He enjoys Drawing and playing video games.
Patrick writes: " I am 13 years old. I love to draw and play video games. I hope to make comics. I am not very active and usually sit in the house with my two older sisters. I am thankful that I have something productive to do and I love having a fulfilling job. I hope that I can get a really good work experience from this program."


Ashley Johnson


"My hobbies are shopping, texting, and working. I am 16 and 8 months. My dream jobs are either becoming a OB/GYN, a day care owner, a nurse or doctor, or pediatrician."

Darlissa Woodson

"I was born in Washington, DC Southeast. My age is 14. I love to cheer, dance, and make people laugh. I want to be a pediatrician when I grow up. I live with my mother and my brothers and sisters. I think this program is fun and you can learn a lot, and the people here in this program are really nice."

Eman Stroman

"I was born on August 08, 1995. My hobbies are drawing, painting, and playing softball. I have a brother and a half sister. I go to school at Bishop Mc Namara, class of 2013. I think this program is a great place to make new friends and even start your career."

Maria Hill

"Hello my name is Maria and I am 14 years old. My birthday is December 6th. My hobbies are dancing, singing (every now & then), and hanging out with my friends. My dream job is to be a dancer because I love to dance."

Dana Smith




"Hello, my name is Dana Annette Smith. I was born at Prince George's County Hospital in Maryland. My hobbies are tennis and golf Wii. I want to be a Chef when I grow up. I also like to sing. I am glad that I have been introduced to new friends and have a chance to work at THEARC."

Kianna Lewis

"Hello, I am Kianna Lewis. I was born in Spokane, Washington on April 17, 1993. My hobbies are singing, acting, dancing, writing, and paying video games. I want to be a singer, then after an established career I want to do broadway. I think this program is amazing. It gives us as youth, a chance to work and experience. The different programs and places to work is really good too. I am very thankful for this chance and I am definitely taking advantage of everything."

Christopher Page

"I'm Chris. I was born on August 26, 1993 at Holy Cross Hospital. I sing, I dance, I act, I draw, I play basketball. I desire to be famous. I aspire to be a professional actor (on and off screen) and/or a professional recording artist. I hope to own my own record company."

Dylan Robinson


"Hello, I am Dylan. My hobby is dancing. I want to be a pediatrician when I grow up. I am 13 and I go to Crofton Middle School. I enjoy this program. I am the stage manager."

Kia Johnson


"I am in high school and I attend Wise. I am a very athletic and outgoing person. I run track and dance. After college I hope to pursue a career as a marine biologist."

Kierra Mims

"My name is Kierra Mims. I'm currently attending Springarn Senior High School. My favorite colors are purple, orange, and green. My hobbies are playing volleyball, skating, going to different types of water parks, laughing and entertaining people."

Norris Wiggins

"Hello, my name is Norris and my hobbies are drawing, computers, and Music. I like to observe people and see how they act. I enjoy sports, any forms of art, and using the computer to be creative. In the future I will like to go to Morgan State University and major in graphic designing and also learn how to be a producer."

Giovanni Copeland


"My name is Giovanni Copeland and I am 15 years old and what I like to do is run track and be outside with friends and family. I like to go to a lot of places and have fun. My dream job is to become a nurse because I like to help people and I think it will be fun to do that in life."

Kerrell Partee

"I am 15. I was born in Washington, DC. I like the program because it gives me something to do besides being outside all day. I also get paid to do stuff in the theater. Overall this is a good program and I am a good person."

Ericka Tolver


Hello, my name is Ericka and I am 16 years old. I like to listen to music, go shopping and I like to hang out with my friends and family. I want to become a successful business woman who can handle any job. I love this program, because it teaches me how to work hard and be professional. It is all worth it in the end because you get rewarded for your hard work.