The Scoop with Tanya Flanagan

Unknown Speaker 0:00
This is a k u NBC Studios original program. The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 Jazz and more the University of Nevada, Las Vegas or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.

Unknown Speaker 0:19
Good morning, and thank you for joining me for the scoop with Tanya flat again. I'm so happy you decided to wake up and start your day with me. Here on the scoop, where we talk about life, joy, funny moments, trending topics, and so much more. We promise to keep you in the know and find out what you know. So let's get started.

Unknown Speaker 0:47
Good morning, Las Vegas and welcome to another show. Thank you once again for getting up Brian early on this beautiful Sunday morning to spend some time listening to the scoop here on K u and v 91.5. Public Radio. I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful Valentine's Day got something special, or some type of love showered upon you we all need love. So I hope your day this past week was amazing. And you spent it with those who love you today. We are continuing in this month, Black History Month. So excited to recognize programs that shine a spotlight on African Americans and their contributions. And this morning, I'm excited to have in the studio talking with me, every Walker from the West Las Vegas Art Center. Good morning, Avery.

Unknown Speaker 1:30
Good morning. Thank you.

Unknown Speaker 1:31
Thank you for spending some time here with me on the scope. I have known you since you were a young man. And then I have been awed and wowed by your talent. You're over at the Art Center, which is over on Lake Mead. Boulevard not far from Martin Luther King Boulevard in the heart of what we call the historic West Side. Tell us who you are.

Unknown Speaker 1:56
I could do it. But my name is. Okay, I appreciate it. My name is Avery Walker. And I am a proud native of Las Vegas, Nevada specifically, growing up on the historic west side of Las Vegas. I am a student to my community, I am a giver. As much as I have received, I make sure that I try to continue to sow seeds into the community that will be long lasting and that generations far after me will be able to benefit from because I feel like those who came before me in this very community left me in really good hands, you know, and really good condition and with the type of information that's necessary to sustain programming and a community that we can all be proud of. And so I'm a dancer, and a choreographer, and an educator now. Specifically in dance but an educator of the arts. My background in the arts, began at the whistles biggest art center when I was very young, doing different types of classes and programs that were offered. Here at the Art Center. I think I was about five or six years old when I you know was officially enrolled, but have continued to participate in so many different programs throughout the years including the rites of passage mentoring program, different workshops, and masterclasses with some of the most renowned artists of our time, and most are our most celebrated performing and visual arts summer camp, which has become such a staple in this community for the past 30 years. The program has run successfully here at the Art Center and I was officially enrolled in the program at 12 years old and have been here ever since. As a kind of, I would say a permanent individual in the space. Of course, my career has taken me many different places, as a dancer and choreographer, but my roots are certainly at the Art Center and now in my you know, 20th year 22nd year I can't believe I'm saying that. Being here at the center. I'm I'm the artistic director of a wonderful program called the live Arts Institute, which offers pre professional dance training and experiences to young budding artists who are like me interested in having a life and career in dance and theater and music. And so Miss Marsha, who is the center's coordinator, may made room and a space for us to continue the dynamic work that we do here at the Art Center with you know an emphasis on pre professional training because that's what I wanted to offer to the center, not not only, you know, the field of the community and that whole experience, but also making sure that the students and individuals who are enrolled in programs here are getting, you know, top tier, or a top tier education in the arts. And so, live arts operates Thursday through Saturday, and we have classes in contemporary dance and traditional modern dance ballet, hip hop. Of course, we are always being invited to perform throughout the community. And we produce our own seasons at the West Las Vegas Library theatre. And so there's a lot of choreography and workshops that take place throughout the year. We invite guest choreographers, we have two that are on the bill for this year one coming from Philadelphia, Tommy while he's having to brilliant award winning choreographer and the other coming out of Dallas, Texas, Claude Alexander, another award winning choreographer. And both these gentlemen are dear friends of mine and well established artists. And so that's the type of caliber and work that, you know, we try to keep going in our facility and exposing our students to and so if you are interested in the arts and are looking for, you know, a cultural home, I would invite you to visit us at the West Las Vegas Arts Center at 947. West Lake Mead Boulevard. We're open Wednesday through Saturday, and hopefully we have something that would catch your interest.

Unknown Speaker 6:41
You know, the art center and you shared a lot. And I want to say thank you, you are so well versed on everything going on at the center. It's it's the living, breathing. It's like eat sleeping, breathing, living, the Art Center, but I have long loved the program. I'm trying to remember when I was first introduced to it probably while working for probably as a reporter for the RDA many, many, many years ago, or at least 20. When I first came to work in the community, with the Commission district work that I was doing that outreach work, but absolutely fell in love with Marcia Robinson, who was the center's coordinator, Lisa Russell, who's over there helping her China when Jani and Jewel, the twins were there. The Art Center is like part of the heart of historic West Las Vegas and a true part of the heart of Las Vegas as a whole. I think anyone who's unaware of how rich the programming and the culture and the performances are, you talked about you mentioned the performing arts camp that goes on in the summertime. And then it cultivates What a performance for the community that's free, that I believe at this point sells out. So if you don't have your ticket, you know, like the Tickets are free, but you have to like quickly reserve your seat or else you won't have a seat. And it was so awesome to see it grow. The performances are done at the performing the West Las Vegas Library theatre at 951 was like me Boulevard, which is adjacent the art center itself. And there was that moment when it graduated. And it moved to the Smith Center to the main floor, the main room rental Hall, the Smith Center, and it was like wow. And it's just such a beautiful every time I see a show. I am literally in tears. And I tell anyone if I ever were to become ridiculously wealthy, I would leave a huge chunk of money to the program. What happens with these young people to see the breadth of talent, the poetry spoken word song, dance, African drumming, the homage that is played to pay to the historical spaces in our lives as a people is done so beautifully. I just have always wanted to say thank you. And so that was part of the reason for wanting to have you on the show. So that the listening audience and I hope it is continuing to grow and those who might be unaware that this jewel is here in the desert, become more aware of what is offered. It's like akin to I would say people think Alvin Ailey, right. Think Yeah, yeah, exactly. It is akin to that and at the same time, it is family so I love that thing. It the circle comes together at the beginning of summer. And I forget the exact the unity circle unity. The unity circle comes together. So the unity circle for those completely unfamiliar, various people from the community mothers and influencers, some elected officials, such as community, volunteers, people who different thing do different things that enrich the lives of children of families in the community, in different ways, come together at the beginning of summer, to kick off to help with the kickoff of the summer visual arts camp for the kids. And so we pour in a nugget of life, just something for them to think about and carry with them, that has maybe made me a stronger person, I'm giving it to a young person to help them reach their goals, what has helped me it's almost like a group letter of if you could tell yourself something. Many years ago, when you were the age of these young people, what is the strongest piece of advice you would have given to them. And then they have this collectively to draw on throughout the summer as they're working. Because the days are long, the work is tough, it takes dedication to the craft, and I love you because you started as a young as a kid. And there was such a passion for it. And as a black man, going into the space of arts in Las Vegas. And even though this is like the entertainment capital of the world, it's a different type of entertainment. It's a little bit of everything. But to be a black man growing up in a community where segregation was what it was, and you would have performers come here and they couldn't even stay on the Strip. They could only they could perform on the west side in our in our spaces, and then they could stay there. But I would think that the opportunity to visualize what you hope for for your future was not just in front of you, does see what I'm saying. And so to arrive at the goal that you've achieved, not having, it's not like, oh, I want to be a firefighter and you see a fire truck going down the street every other day. It's to have a visualization of something that may seem so out of reach, yet you held on to it, you cultivate it in and you continue to be blessed with a vision to see what is needed by generations to come. So that a program that is magnificent, is continuing to grow. And that is what I'm hearing you share with us this morning that there's a visionary within you of not just what we've been doing well, what are we going to do for the next generation to come in? Here's a this component that helps people prepare themselves to go into professional art, or, you know, professional, magical, artistry and work. Certainly, when did you know that this was what you wanted?

Unknown Speaker 12:53
I mean, I was, as you said in the very beginning of our conversation, awestruck. I think I was awestruck at the time that this program was reintroduced to me I was a student at which was now Democracy Prep was Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy. And I was in the sixth grade at that time, and I had a very dear friend and I had Dexter who was enrolled in the program, and she happened to be my neighbor and someone that we, you know, had grown up in this community together, and we were walking from school, because both of us live, you know, in value homes at the time, which is on H Street, which is about two blocks away from the Art Center. And she said, I have to go to rehearsal at the Art Center, and I said, Okay, well, I can go up there with you. And she said, we have some lady comments. Her name is Katherine Dunham. And I said, Okay, at this point, I'm not aware that you know, who Miss Dunham at all, you know, I'm just like, okay, Katherine Dunham. This lady is coming to the Art Center and they're doing a performance for her so I go to the rehearsal. And if those who are not familiar with Miss Dunham, Katherine Dunham is known as the mother of black dance. She is one of the key figures that influenced even Alvin Ailey to start his company and his career as a dancer, and so many others. Marcia Robinson, who was the center's coordinator was a part of his Dunham's company and St. Louis.

Unknown Speaker 14:27
I don't think I've met him.

Unknown Speaker 14:30
Oh, yeah, so her Miss Dom's legacy and tradition is what laid the foundation for the arts in there because Miss Dunham had in East St. Louis, which is witness Marcia is originally from the Performing Arts Training Center. And so Miss Dunham established that program in the 60s for at risk youth at St. Louis and Marcia Robinson happened to be one of those youth that were enrolled into that program and that catapulted her career. I don't want to talk too much, you know, Miss Marsha.

Unknown Speaker 15:04
Let's give her her roses, even though she doesn't No, no, let her know. You know, hey, if you weren't up this morning with us, you can play it back and listen to it on 91.5. And we want you to know we gave her your roses. So she is a phenomenally woke woman. And yes, yes.

Unknown Speaker 15:24
And so, because of that foundation, you know, we have Miss Marcia today, who, of course, at that time to jump back to, you know, the timeline invited more so, you know, not just invited, but really a shipment is done on to Las Vegas. Miss Dunham was in her early 90s at that time. And so they brought Miss Dunham to Las Vegas, and I was at the rehearsal. And, of course, all this African drumming and dance is happening. And I'm just sitting as a spectator and completely awestruck. And in that moment, I remember going up to the drum instructor who became my mentor in in music, Arthur Moore, who was also a member of Mr. Williams company, as a percussionist, and singer. And I said, Mr. Moore, I mean, at 12 years old, I just knew, I said, I want to do this. And he said, Well, you're gonna have to come back during the summer to the PVAC. Program. He said, that's when I'll be back, because Mr. Moore was visiting from St. Louis, St. Louis. And so I said, Well, I'll see the summer. And I believe that program, may have been in April and PVAC, started in June. And so in June, my grandmother enrolled me into the performing and visual arts summer camp, and that was June of 2003. And I've been here ever since. Yeah.

Unknown Speaker 16:57
I think that knowing what you want to do is so powerful. And you mentioned Miss Dunham coming through. A lot of amazing things happen at the Art Center, right, that you just don't even expect are going to happen. Just this past summer, for example. The stellar awards come here each year, and they do the gospel wars program. And they introduced a new component this summer of the stellar plus experience. And part of that was to bring a renowned choreographer, into the art center. They were looking for somewhere that they could give back to our community while they were here. And they were very adamant about focusing in on our community of black community, African American community. And so they came in and we said well, on number of people who think highly in have deep love and roots, said the Art Center is where you need to be. And this choreographer came in and did a phenomenal job. The kids had a phenomenal job one Flashdance morning, basically, it's like a flash mob effect. And they're so phenomenal. I learned how routine lunch was provided. They had one of the Top Gospel recording artists come through, and it just was amazing things happen at the Art Center. I, Antonio Vargas is one of the people who pours in as well. And when I first started, I'm like, wait. Huggy Bear from Star skin. You're just stunned, lightweight. So Huggy Bear from Star skinhead, you get the fish in his shoes on this 1970s television show, is that the art center all the time, and the breath of talent. And the young lady who would I don't know her name. And I wish I did, who ended up going to New York to play on Broadway to do the Lion

Unknown Speaker 18:48
King, Thomas Thomas.

Unknown Speaker 18:51
So you're looking like, wait a minute, this is Las Vegas grown baby who's now in New York, during the Lion King. I mean, we are producing results through this program and just to see, I'm telling you, it brings tears to your eyes. And I love the way you deal with concepts that the children are dealing with in their daily lives as as our society becomes ever evolved, more adult, it's over the sense of the the extra sensory experiences that our kids are managing, because society is very sexualized. It's very How shocking, the shock effect value is huge, right? Everything is just like on 10. And I love that the program helps. The exposure is just on 10 And I love that the program helps to keep kids rooted and grounded and moral values of what not what any one person thinks is right or wrong, but just decency, General, basic decency and

Unknown Speaker 19:58
we you we We pride ourselves. And we add steal a quote from our dear beloved, Mr. Fargas, you know, he says, we use the arts as a hook to teach the young people how to be better citizens. And that has always been the goal of the art center to make sure that not only are we producing dynamic artists, but we have people that can make a positive impact in the world beyond the state, if the stage is the platform that you choose to use, that's wonderful, that is the platform that I choose to use, you know, I fight you know, from the online, you know, the, the curtain per se, but the the type of life lessons and life skills, and transformative information that the students have access to through the arts as a vehicle is what is so tremendous. And, again, going back to Miss Dunham, that is what her philosophy, and her program was all about. She wanted to make an impact on those kids in St. Louis, who were at, at the brink of destruction, community of self destruction, and that community was a mirror and very parallel to what even this Marcia saw and what sorts Vegas, when she came to this community, probably now 40 years ago, you know, to do her work, and she could have went anywhere, you know, Miss Marshall holds a PhD, you know, in education, and so she could have chose to give her time to any other program and in you know, the community, but she chose,

Unknown Speaker 21:44
loves, loves, loves the children, she loves the Art Center. Yeah, she loves the community, she loves the people. And yeah, you know, to her, I can not imagine what it must be like to have a job for 40 years that you're doing, that you actually love. pouring into kids to pour into the community for what you get back out of it. And certainly, the transformation happening for the young people who go through this program, because I cannot imagine what each child has learned about his or herself in the space in the creative freedom to discover more about yourself than what you've made have known at the beginning, beginning of the summer, when you start the program in June, because just like you, I have watched a lot of the kids stay for years. I mean, we watch these babies grow up, and then they get married and husbands and children. And you're right, it's like you know, or they go on to live somewhere else, to perform, to work, to work in film, to work in theater, to they learn stage to play become all kinds of things that have nothing to do exactly, we have one who went on to become a lawyer. We have they they do things that have nothing to do per se with dancer performing arts, but it's a space of self development that creates I would think unparallel confidence and knowing who you are, and then to be surrounded by kids and adults that are pouring in these positive messages, holding you accountable and reminding you of your greatness every day, and what you can achieve when you tell people where they can find you 951 West Lake Mead, but how do they find you? I want to make sure that is shared before we run out of time on the show today? Certainly.

Unknown Speaker 23:46
Well, officially, we are a program under the city of Las Vegas Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. And so all of our information can of course be found here in the facility 947 West Lake Mead Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89106, or the website is www arts las vegas.org. And so, you know, programming information can be found online, but the best way to get a sense of who we are. And what we offer is to join us here in the space we also perform throughout the community. As I mentioned, I'm excited to share that we were actually awarded yesterday at the Springs Preserve annual Black History Month festival. Our students from live arts collective represented the West Las Vegas Art Center, and performed an excerpt of a show that we did a couple of weeks ago rebirth. And we were also awarded on behalf of the West Las Vegas Art Center and for the work that the center has done in the community, and especially miss Marsha with her enormous amount of generosity and community. Service, the arts and it was awarded special recognition from the Springs Preserve Black History Month festival committee and we've participated in that festival annually, I think since it began. And so we're always happy to be a part of that program, which has, you know, of course, given more exposure to the West Las Vegas Art Center and the work that we do here. Well,

Unknown Speaker 25:23
congratulations, a day. You know, just yesterday, I have had the great fortune of being able to attended I unfortunately wasn't able to catch you guys yesterday. And I knew it was coming up. You also had a performance earlier this month, as part of Black History Month as part of your Showcase over at the Art Center on February 3, I believe it was. But for those who of us who missed those shows, and unfortunately, life didn't allow me to do what I wanted to do, which was be in the audience. What's coming? Yes, yeah, we can look forward to in that week and put it on our calendar and catch.

Unknown Speaker 25:58
Well, thank you. Our next big adventure will be at the end of May, May 24. Through the 26th live arts collective, which is the resident program of the West Las Vegas Art Center is going to be collaborating with Nevada Ballet Theatre second company NBT two and we're going to be putting on a spring concert right at the West Las Vegas Library theatre. We decided that it was important to begin to partner and make ways for our students to be exposed to other community arts programs that have been staples for as long as the art centers program has been in the community and Nevada Ballet Theatre two NBT two is under the artistic leadership of Mr. Don Bellamy, who is a much celebrated artists. Here in the community. He's a former principal dancer of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater of Dance Theatre of Harlem of The Lion King on Broadway, Phantom of the Opera, Broadway a national tour and and so many other credits to his career. But Mr. Don is one of my primary mentors and someone that has poured so much into me since his time. Being here in Las Vegas, he was one of my professors in college at UNLV. And years later, he became a mentor and instructor here at the Art Center. And now he is the artistic director of NBC two. And so our two companies live arts collected and NBT. Two are going to come together to do a collaboration concert and that again is Friday, May 24. through Sunday, May 26. Over in the West Las Vegas Library theater. The program will be free and open to the public. We have evening performances all weekend and we of course want to invite the entire community to come out and celebrate with us. MBT is so excited to partner Finally, with the City of Las Vegas in a performative way. For many years NBT ran a after school program here at the Art Center. And many of our students have received training at both Nevada Ballet Theatre and here at the Wessels biggest art center. So we've had, you know, programming partnerships in that regard. But this will be the first time that two performance entities of both organizations will be able to share one stage together. And so we're so excited about that.

Unknown Speaker 28:26
It's it's been a phenomenal show and a wealth of information on what is happening over at the program before we go. And as we wrap up, I just want to give you a quick opportunity and we are running out of time. So super quick opportunity to share with how people can support the program because I know you can pour into it with donations or some other volunteer work. So is there any way for a person to support the kids in the cost of the program as quickly as you can?

Unknown Speaker 28:52
For those who are interested Yes, in supporting the program, you could always come to the Art Center and make donations to support programming here at the center and student scholarships and beyond.

Unknown Speaker 29:04
Absolutely. Every once again thank you for spending some time with me this morning, folks, thank you for tuning in. Avery continue to give back to the community that way you have we can't thank you enough. I want to say thank you and thank you for spending some time with me this morning.

Unknown Speaker 29:21
My pleasure. Thank you so much for the invitation. Absolutely.

Unknown Speaker 29:23
Have a great week everyone.

Unknown Speaker 29:30
I want to thank you for tuning into the scoop with me Tony Flanagan and I want to invite you to get social with me I'm on Facebook and Twitter. My name is my handle TA and YAFL a na GA N You can also find me on Instagram at Tanya almond eyes Flanagan and if you have a thought and opinion or a suggestion, don't hesitate to shoot me an email to Tanya dad flanagan@unlv.edu. Thanks again for joining in. Stay safe and have a great week.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai