CAFEyouth.org

PVYSO Big Hit at ICF!

victor — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:53:23 +0000

Despite a hectic morning, tight security, and extraordinary time constraints, the Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra was a huge hit at this year’s International Children’s Festival. Here is a story about the event from this weekend’s Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/children-in-washington-travel-the-world-in-a-day/2012/05/06/gIQAVSwR6T_story.html

CAFE Student is a STEM Star! (Update)

victor — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:53:11 +0000

Congratulations and “Good Luck” to our new student, Joseph Wong, who has been selected to represent his school, Hyattsville Middle School, and present his STEM Project at the 64th Annual Prince George’s County STEM Fair this Saturday, March 17th. It’s a 3-day event and Saturday is the primary day for Judging.

We are very proud of you, Joseph!!

***UPDATE***

It was a long weekend but well worth it. The STEM fair was very competitive, the projects quite unimaginable for 12 – 15 year olds. There were participants from three counties, Prince George’s, Calvert and St. Mary’s.

Joseph did well in his category Engineering: Materials and Bio-engineering. His project was titled “The Power of Poop”. He tested different bio-masses to see which will produce the greatest amount of bio-gas (methane) at the fastest rate. He placed third in his category and got two special awards: the Robert L. Wistort “Best Presentation” award, given to the student who makes the best oral presentation of his/her project/exhibit, and the Izaak Walton League of America award for promoting clean and renewable energy technology.

He’s already looking forward to next year!

Prince George’s Library Concert Series Announced

victor — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:07:22 +0000

CAFE’s Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra will provide FREE concerts and workshops throughout the summer at various Prince George’s County Public Library Branches.

Saturday, June 23, at 3:00 pm – Oxon Hill Branch
Wednesday, June 27, at 1:00 pm – Spauldings (Teen Program)
Monday, July 2, at 7:00 pm – Beltsville Branch
Wednesday, July 25, at 2:00 pm – Surratts-Clinton Branch
Tuesday, July 31, at 10:00 am – Bladensburg Branch
Tuesday, July 31, at 7:00 pm – Greenbelt Branch (Teen Program)
Wednesday, August 8, at 7:00 pm – Laurel Branch.

Congratulations Mock Trial Team

victor — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:47:11 +0000

For the second year in a row CAFE’s team has made the Mock Trial playoff round. Congratulations to the members of the team for all your hard work and dedication. You should be very proud!

Congratulations to the CAFE Mock Trial Team

victor — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:07:03 +0000

Here is a message from our committed Parent Coordinator, Marlene Daniels:

“On Wednesday, February 1st, our very talented, spontaneous, clever, observant, well-prepared CAFE Mock Trial Team (CMTT) participated in their first competition, which took place in FUMC’s Chapel on the 2nd floor.

CAFE competed against High Point High School from Beltsville, Md. – - a sharp all girls’ team.

I am so excited and proud to say………………….”WE WON”………………………………..YAAAAY!!!

GOOD LUCK AT YOUR NEXT COMPETITION!”

Stress Busters! Adult Steel Band and Satyananda Yoga!

victor — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:52:12 +0000

Start fulfilling those New Years Resolutions NOW! CAFE offers beginning and intermediate/advanced steel band classes for adults and seniors. Students with no musical training can learn to play songs on the steel pan in just a few sessions. It is fun, and dancing is great exercise!

Satyananda Yoga is an internationally renowned system of integral yoga that is suitable for everyone, from beginners to adepts. It is an evolving yoga that is grounded in tradition, yet adaptable to the needs of today. Register now for classes this spring!

CAFE Holiday Concert

victor — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:14:42 +0000

On December 10th, CAFE produced its 15th annual Holiday Concert. The crowd, which included community members, family, friends, and dignitaries, was enamored all evening as each of CAFE’s performing ensembles took to the stage. The first half of the concert featured not only the award-winning Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra, but also the venerable Georgetown Choral, and four-time Grammy winning tenor, John Aler! PVYSO started the show with Musical Director Adam Grisé’s great arrangement of the Led Zeplin classic, Fool in the Rain. After breathtaking renditions of Horkstow Grange, by Percy Grainger and Salvation Is Created, by Pavel Chesnokov, the group was joined by the Georgetown Choral and John Aler for rousing numbers from Handel’s Messiah and powerful version of Vivaldi’s Gloria, before closing the first half with a heart-felt “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”!

The second half of the concert was introduced by Honorable Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards before moving directly into PVYSO’s tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces. Throughout the remainder of the concert, all of CAFE’s wonderful ensembles enjoyed their time in the spotlight. The Rhythm Starters (also known as the world’s shortest steel band) received a standing ovation after their performance of the traditional carol “Good King Winceslas” and the Rhythm Runners got the moving with an upbeat treatment of “Amazing Grace” and a funky arrangement of Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much”. CAFE’s adult steel band, the PanTones, surprised the audience (and probably themselves) with excellent performances of Calypso Rose’s “Fire in Me Wire” and Paul Simon’s “Late in the Evening” before making way for PVYSO to once again take the stage. After the Christmas “Soul” standard, Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas”, PVYSO was joined on stage by the PanTones for a jamming closer in Scrunter’s “Madame Jeffery”, a parang classic. If you missed this concert, you definitely won’t want to miss CAFE’s joint benefit concert with the Georgetown Chorale on Sunday April 29th.

To see the rest of the pictures visit the gallery!

CAFE Channel 9 News Highlight!

victor — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:35:32 +0000

Rhythm Starters Rehearsal Tonight

victor — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:42:32 +0000

Rhythm Starters (elementary band) will rehearse this evening from 6-7:30

2 Great Programs, 2 Great Events…

victor — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:11:38 +0000

Earlier this year, the Cultural Academy For Excellence was selected by the University of Maryland College Park Scholars’ Art and Science of Philanthropy course to be recipients of a special grant initiative. This relationship has continued to develop throughout the year and has resulted in wonderful opportunities for students and faculty from UMD to partner with CAFE’s students.

Thanks to the special grant, CAFE has been able to travel to facilities in Hampton, VA and Perry Point, MD to interview, entertain, and fellowship with retired U.S. Veterans. On Sunday, Novermber 6th, CAFE students traveled to the Perry Point VA Medical Center, beautifully nestled near the on the Susquehanna River. After a two-hour bus ride from Hyattsville, MD, the students arrived at noon and immediately began preparing for that afternoon’s concert! The concert by CAFE’s Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra featured notable Patriotic themes including the official songs of the U.S. Marines, Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the Sousa’s famous Stars & Stripes Forever, and of course, the U.S. National Anthem.

To see the full photo gallery click here

The following Monday evening, the Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra performed at the University of Maryland for the School of Management and County Executive Rushern Baker! The students entertained a wonderful crowd from the balcony and rubbed shoulders with University and County elites!