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:
News
By victor on May 9th, 2012
By victor on March 14th, 2012
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!
By victor on March 5th, 2012
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.
By victor on March 5th, 2012
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!
By victor on February 13th, 2012
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!”
By victor on January 17th, 2012
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! (more…)
By victor on December 27th, 2011
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!
By victor on December 27th, 2011
By victor on December 8th, 2011
Rhythm Starters (elementary band) will rehearse this evening from 6-7:30
By victor on November 9th, 2011
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. (more…)
