January 2021
VIDEO ON DEMAND
In-Person Tickets Available by calling the Box Office
Mon, Wed, Fri Noon – 5PM
(218) 327-5780
This adaptation, written by Reif Education Director Katie E. Smith, brings together Reif Dance ballet students and Theater Education students in grades 3-12, and has been created with social distancing in mind. It is an adaptation of the 1903 operetta by Glen McDonough and Victor Herbert and is the first joint production of the two Reif Education programs. Original choreography has been created by Dance Director Deirdre Murnane and the Reif Dance staff. The music has been adapted by Grand Rapids native and Ely Band Director, Sarah Mason.
THANK YOU TO SPONSORS
Purchase TicketsFebruary 2021
VIDEO ON DEMAND
B2wins (Pronounced B-Twins… short for Brazilian Twins)
This high energy entertainment group continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its unique sound and engaging live show that targets the masses. Led by charismatic Twin brothers from Rio de Janeiro, they combine a plethora of genres into a live show that is equal parts rock concert, jam session, dance party and house party. Fans describe it like seeing your new best friends in concert.
Growing up in the violent, slums of Brazil, the Twins began playing classical music on violins their father made by hand. They used music as an escape from their reality and began teaching others in their neighborhood. After being featured on National Public Radio, the Twins were invited to the US on full ride music scholarships.
After performing 153 shows across 14 states in 2019, B2wins continue to cultivate a loyal fan base wherever they perform. From hip-hop heads to jazz aficionados, rockers to reggae fans, all find common ground at a B2wins show. The Twins are on a mission to change the world, one smile at a time.
Engaging & Relatable
By utilizing music, humor, audience interaction and participation, Walter & Wagner are able to connect with audiences in never before seen ways. Their magnetic personalities and sincerity, coupled with engaging showmanship, create a dynamite package that is equal parts fun and life changing. Using their story of overcoming extreme adversity through positivity, the Twins have inspired thousands of all ages and backgrounds around the world.
FREE VIRTUAL BINGO!
Advanced registration required by contacting ElderCircle
(218) 999-9233 ext. 279
ecircle@eldercircle.org
The Power of Good Manners!
Educates. Inspires. Entertains.
Kenny Ahern has performed for thousands of school children worldwide!
The POWER of Good Manners! A 45-minute K-5 edutainment presentation, that heralds the importance of good manners in school and life! Character virtues are not just words—they are a call to action!
“I’m all about creating an honest message and a fun, relevant presentation.”
This presentation was developed through consultation with educational professionals. Students learn the main points of Kenny's show: Respect for All; The Importance of Asking for Help; Making Good Choices; and Pleases & Thank Yous are Important.
TESTIMONIALS
“ Your emphasis on pleases, thank yous, and the ability to ask for help was a natural progression for development of the "B.O.A.T. Rules" The teachers from Pre-K through 5th grade have each expressed admiration for the quality of your skills, ability to interact with the students, and the near magical manner that you communicate with a participant . You are, indeed, a teacher at heart!”
Craig Oliver, Teacher
Brandon Elementary School
"The kids were very engaged in the program, and understood the importance of good manners by the end of the show. The kids absolutely loved the way you got them involved with the show. Three weeks after the show, I am still hearing students talk about "The Power of Good Manners."
Chris Sadler, Principal
Humke Elementary School
"Kenny Ahern is a wonderful performer and really engaged our students Kindergarten through grade 6 in his performance. His program may well be the best I’ve personally seen. It would be nice if all lyceums were as educational, fun and entertaining as this was."
Dennis Geissler, Principal
Colfax Elementary School
“Kenny absolutely tops my list of favorites. He's professional and easy to work with, and most importantly, the kids think he's a blast. He just knows exactly what to do to make them laugh. I always look forward to his visits!"
Shelly–Collins Fuerbringer, Childrens Director
LE Phillips Memorial Public Library
"Your performance captivated the audience, students and teachers alike, Your positive message made a deep impression on the students. Thank you for your generosity, It was greatly appreciated by all of us.”
Joyce A Olson, Principal
Moundview Elementary School
March 2021
THANK YOU TO SPONSOR
STUDY GUIDE
Courtesy of the Yehuda Amir Institute for the Advancement of Social Integration, Bar-Ilan University
INSTRUMENT GUIDE
Courtesy of the Minnesota Orchestra
The Reif Arts Council presents A Reif Education production of Peter and the Wolf. The video is available on-demand through May 31 at reifcenter.org.
Recorded in February 2020 at the Myles Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids, this all-ages, educational performance is based on Sergei Prokofiev’s classic composition, and features the Itasca Orchestra. It is great for classrooms and virtual learners.
Written in 1936, Peter & the Wolf is performed with a narrator and the musical work is as an introduction to the instruments of the orchestra. Each character in the story is personified by its own instruments and melody.
Study guides are available to help viewers make connections with their classroom learning and creating opportunities for active listening and related creative activities. In addition to learning to identify instruments by sight and sound, they learn that stories and emotion can be communicated through music.
The performance is directed by Itasca Strings Program director of string instruction Pedro Oviedo. Guest musician Evgeny Zvonnikov has performed this famous piece as concertmaster in orchestras in his native Russia and performs as concertmaster of the Grand Rapids based community orchestra. Steve Jaeger narrates. Technical direction and audio/video production by the Reif Arts Council.
Running time of the performance is 37 minutes. For more information, email the Reif Box Office boxoffice@reifcenter.org.
The presentation is made possible by generous sponsor The Loggy Dome.
Reif Dance Company is made up of the most dedicated and talented dancers who commit to extra rehearsal time for a place in the company, or for younger students, the Jr. Company. The Company Show brings together original, classical, contemporary, and modern dance, presenting works by professional choreographers as well as student choreography. It also features solos from our senior students who have been with us many years and are going off to college next year.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Christopher David Hanson is an artist who transcends mediums. As a musician: Old Rock & Roll, Kickin' Country, Swing & Soul sums up his style. His music has a long list of notable accomplishments including 5 songs placed in Motion Pictures, numerous PBS TV specials, and a host of opening slots with some of nations top groups including; Gin Blossoms, Black Oak Arkansas, Live, Kid Rock's Shannon Curfman, Cory Chisel, Sister Hazel, and more. Hanson is also a Nashville recording artist that has worked with many members of Wynonna Judd's band, and Carrie Underwood's group.
Inspired by the famous Canadian troupe “Cirque du Soleil”, the show is rich in various stage effects using the latest laser technologies, snow cannons, soap bubble tornadoes, theatrical fog, gigantic smoke rings, smoke-filled soap bubble machines, optical illusions and many other surprises. All the performance is enriched by a live video shooting connected to a large LED screen (35 sq. meters – 380 sq. Feet) that acts as a background and allows for better visibility even in the largest of auditoriums. Adults and children alike will enjoy the show, thanks to the high interactivity and audience participation, the extremely visual content (there are no spoken words as all the show is musical) and the different level of interpretations that that will make adults and children smile.
Grades K – 4
$7 per student | Tickets: boxoffice@reifcenter.org
(218) 327-5780
This show is part of the 2019-2020 Reif Education Class Acts Series and is not open to the general public.
THANK YOU SPONSORS
This engagement is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Crane Group.
April 2021
VIDEO ON-DEMAND THROUGH MAY 31
Hello, my name is Larry Yazzie a proud member of the Meskwaki Nation near Tama, Iowa. We are of the Algonquin speaking dialect of the eastern woodland region. We are centrally located in the great state of Iowa. Back in 1857 our forefathers snuck up to Iowa from Oklahoma and Kansas and purchased our first 80 acres. With the help of local farmers and the Governor of Iowa at the time granted us the Meskwaki citizens of Iowa
I’m honored to share my stories and culture with you through music and dance. We are made up of several tribes and promise to bring you the best experience possible!
As I play my flute I play in prayer for all who are going through hard times especially during this pandemic we will get through this together. We all need to pray together I too have experienced hardships in my life, especially in my community on the Meskwaki Indian Settlement near Tama, Iowa. Earlier this summer we were hit with a Derecho storm a land hurricane with winds up to 130 mph with devastation everywhere! But we prevailed and came together through prayers and help pouring in from everywhere! So thank you! ...”
VIDEO ON DEMAND THROUGH MAY, 31
RUNNING TIME 1.5 HOURS
FOR HIGH SCHOOL AGED STUDENTS AND OLDER
CONTAINS ADULT THEMES & LANGUAGE
The subject of Tom Dugan’s new new play Tell Him It’s Jackie is Jackie Kennedy. The narrative takes place on June 5, 1968, the date of her brother-in-law Robert’s assassination. Jackie invites us inside her life: her growing up, college, her courtship with the dashing young future President, the birth of her children, her own becoming a beloved icon, her hobnobbing with the rich and famous, her husband’s death, her spiraling into depression and substance abuse, and the subsequent death of a treasured ally. With her world crumbling around her, she decides on a course of action which will decisively change her and her children’s future.
Kait Haire, who bears an astonishing resemblance to the young Jackie Kennedy, portrays the former First Lady in a solo performance. Ms. Haire’s previous stage appearances include In My Mind’s Eye and Otherwise Engaged at Group Rep, and she appeared in the films Ballet of Balance and Flicker. Prior to her move to Los Angeles, she attended George Washington University, where she was a Presidential Scholar of the Arts.
Tom Dugan is playwright and director. His previous plays include Wiesenthal (for which he received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award), The Ghosts of Mary Lincoln, Oscar to Oscar and Frederick Douglass- In the Shadow of Slavery. He is also an actor with numerous stage, screen and television credits.
Dugan asserts that Tell Him It’s Jackie is “loosely based” on one of his earlier plays from a couple of seasons ago, Jackie Unveiled. Since then, he decided to revisit his subject matter, do a complete rewrite, and come up with a new show. The result is a new one-act, tight and concise with a running time that’s thirty-five minutes shorter than the earlier play.
Tell Him It’s Jackie will be a must-see for all those who have adored this iconic First Lady who still fascinates us today.