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Meany Hall brings the world to Seattle's children

Meany Hall brings the world to Seattle's children
by E. Joyce Glasgow - SGN A&E Writer Not only does the University of Washington's Meany Performance Hall present exciting, culturally eclectic and educational performances for it's adult audiences, but it fills a great need in broadening the minds of our city's children. Meany invites students, mostly from grades 3-8, with their teachers, free of charge, to youth matinees, 4-6 times a season. Performers from The World Dance and The World Music Series perform abbreviated versions of their evening shows. I recently attended a youth performance by the dynamic" Les Ballets Africans", who, with boundless energy, danced and played drums and Kora ,(an African stringed instrument), in a one hour whirlwind of color. This year, this Guinean company is celebrating their 50th Anniversary. The students loved it, and participated wholeheartedly, clapping along when invited and highly concentrated on and respectful of the performers. Over 6,000 students are served by this program each year. Half of the seats are reserved for Seattle Public Schools and remaining seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis to other regional districts and youth organizations. For many students, it will be their first professional performing arts experience. Meany Theatre has been providing arts learning opportunities for over 20 years. Their "Community Connections" program also reaches adults and students through in-school visits, master classes for advanced students of performing arts, and pre-show lectures and forums. In total, this program impacts over 15,000 children and adults each year. Monetary support is provided through fundraising from the public and grants from foundations.t For more information about this children's program, or to donate or subscribe to any of Meany Hall's "World Series" fabulous evening programs, visit www.uwworldseries.org or call (206)-543-4880. Some of the performers announced for the 2006-2007 season are: "Momix"," Noche Flamenca", "Sydney Dance Company" and "Tyva Kyzy", an all female ensemble of Tuvan throat singers.