We're getting ever closer to Andrew's departure for American Idol Camp. He and I appeared on the Fox Morning Show this morning. His voice was hoarse , and he was a little cranky. That's something we'll have to work on. He didn't have to sing much except for a teaser.
I think he's featured this week in The Indianapolis Recorder and also was supposed to be interviewed by the Hendricks County Flyer. That fell through when the reporter went on vacation. All the way around, though, the media experience is good for someone who professes a desire to entertain.
Andrew and I had a heart-to-heart the other night about the trip. He's a little nervous about The Dance Theatre of Harlem. Though there will be a chaperone at the hostel where he'll live, he's nervous about being somewhat on his own. But he'll be fine. He knows how to cook, do his laundry and handle emergencies. I'm sure he'll also make friends who will invite him home for the occasional home-cooked meal.
Showing posts with label Dance Theatre of Harlem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dance Theatre of Harlem. Show all posts
July 5, 2007
June 25, 2007
The Truths of "The Secret"
I just finished reading an article on the CNN web site about the the phenomenon of The Secret DVD and book series. The complaint by some therapists and other experts was that the book promoted a "blame the victim" mentality and does not look at the roles of free will and action on the part of the individual.
I was at my friend Shari's house a couple of months ago and watched the DVD with a couple of her other girlfriends. I'm not a big self-help kind of person or one who by most standards would be considered mystical or spiritual. But I actually saw a great deal of truth that I do apply to my own life in "The Secret."
As many of you already have read, my nephew Andrew will attend American Idol Camp and the Dance Theatre of Harlem Summer Intensive in July and August. The Idol Camp was a very competitive situation in that only 700 kids out of thousands of applicants have been accepted. In Andrew' case, there was the additional need for a scholarship to cover the $3,000 cost.
An interesting -- and to me, puzzling -- question kept coming up, especially by the producers of The Today Show: Did Andrew and I really believe that he could rise to the top and be accepted to the camp? This, to me, said more about the mindset of the producers than it did about the reality of getting into the camp. I think part of what made Andrew and me successful in this venture was our unwavering belief that there was no reason why he couldn't be the 700th camper -- if not No. 1. The success was two-fold. It rested on Andrew's talent and experience, of which we already had proof, and my abilities as a writing coach who has been extremely successful in obtaining grants, fellowships and awards for myself and others. In other words, our success was, indeed, a combination of belief and action.
When I told my friend Leslie about the camp, she remarked that everything I touch turns to gold. My mother and others have made similar remarks. It's funny, but I know it's not really that way. Though I may have a high success rate, the law of averages dictates that some of my quests will be unsuccessful. And in most instances, I, like most people, don't broadcast my failures. I also don't dwell on them long enough to remember what most of them are. I just move on to the next goal.
The most important part of The Secret is understanding that we all have some extraordinary, marketable abilities. The vision, of which The Secret speaks, is in my opinion should be coupled with perseverance. If people can't envision freedom or wealth or happiness, they hardly will be able to take the steps to achieve these goals.
I didn't really see how The Secret blames the victim, but I do believe that our ability to achieve our desires rests only with ourselves. For many "victims" their worst enemies often are themselves, and shifting to a positive outlook can change not only how they feel but also their rate of personal success.
I was at my friend Shari's house a couple of months ago and watched the DVD with a couple of her other girlfriends. I'm not a big self-help kind of person or one who by most standards would be considered mystical or spiritual. But I actually saw a great deal of truth that I do apply to my own life in "The Secret."
As many of you already have read, my nephew Andrew will attend American Idol Camp and the Dance Theatre of Harlem Summer Intensive in July and August. The Idol Camp was a very competitive situation in that only 700 kids out of thousands of applicants have been accepted. In Andrew' case, there was the additional need for a scholarship to cover the $3,000 cost.
An interesting -- and to me, puzzling -- question kept coming up, especially by the producers of The Today Show: Did Andrew and I really believe that he could rise to the top and be accepted to the camp? This, to me, said more about the mindset of the producers than it did about the reality of getting into the camp. I think part of what made Andrew and me successful in this venture was our unwavering belief that there was no reason why he couldn't be the 700th camper -- if not No. 1. The success was two-fold. It rested on Andrew's talent and experience, of which we already had proof, and my abilities as a writing coach who has been extremely successful in obtaining grants, fellowships and awards for myself and others. In other words, our success was, indeed, a combination of belief and action.
When I told my friend Leslie about the camp, she remarked that everything I touch turns to gold. My mother and others have made similar remarks. It's funny, but I know it's not really that way. Though I may have a high success rate, the law of averages dictates that some of my quests will be unsuccessful. And in most instances, I, like most people, don't broadcast my failures. I also don't dwell on them long enough to remember what most of them are. I just move on to the next goal.
The most important part of The Secret is understanding that we all have some extraordinary, marketable abilities. The vision, of which The Secret speaks, is in my opinion should be coupled with perseverance. If people can't envision freedom or wealth or happiness, they hardly will be able to take the steps to achieve these goals.
I didn't really see how The Secret blames the victim, but I do believe that our ability to achieve our desires rests only with ourselves. For many "victims" their worst enemies often are themselves, and shifting to a positive outlook can change not only how they feel but also their rate of personal success.
May 23, 2007
Thanks to G-Unity
I received a phone call from Nina Biggars at American Idol Camp delivering the news that G-Unity, the foundation established by rapper 50 Cent, will cover the costs for Andrew's stay in New York while he attends the Dance Theatre of Harlem's Summer Intensive. The original offer from DTH was for the tuition only. There was about $1,800 in housing and other costs that needed to be covered.
I'd like to extend a special thank you to Nina for going far above and beyond the call of duty. Everything having to do with DTH is beyond the scope of her work with Idol Camp. I also want to note the generosity of the Idol Camp officials as a whole. Last, but not least, I'd like to thank G-Unity for giving a leg up to a special boy as he reaches for the stars.
I also just received word that the great news about DTH and G-Unity will be announced Monday about 9:20 a.m. on The Today Show.
May 8, 2007
Andrew and the Dance Theatre of Harlem
We received an incredible phone call today from the folks at American Idol Camp. I told Andrew that when he appeared on The Today Show, things would start to happen. My prediction came true.
One of the people watching that day was Arthur Mitchell. For those who are unfamiliar with dance history, he is the first African-American man to join a major U.S. dance company. He's also the founder and director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Mr. Mitchell offered Andrew a full scholarship to attend the company's summer intensive. He will first spend 10 days at American Idol Camp then be take to New York City for six weeks. That's a long time for someone so young to be away from home, but it will be an extraordinary opportunity.
One of the people watching that day was Arthur Mitchell. For those who are unfamiliar with dance history, he is the first African-American man to join a major U.S. dance company. He's also the founder and director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Mr. Mitchell offered Andrew a full scholarship to attend the company's summer intensive. He will first spend 10 days at American Idol Camp then be take to New York City for six weeks. That's a long time for someone so young to be away from home, but it will be an extraordinary opportunity.
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