This Saturday and Sunday, August 10th and 11th, Artists for Africa, a newly formed non-profit organization with goals to provide arts education to impoverished children in Africa, presents the 2nd annual benefit performance at the CMFA Artspace on Pulaski Street in the Vista.
Artists for Africa Founder, dancer and teacher Cooper Rust, has recently returned from her second stint in Nairobi, Kenya, teaching ballet to young children in the area. In 2012, Rust was able to coordinate an effort that raised nearly seven thousand dollars for the cause in one weekend of performances. Thanks to the work of Artists for Africa, an additional 300 underprivileged children in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya were able to enjoy after school arts classes, giving most of them their first opportunity of this kind.
Rust initially traveled to Kenya in 2012 to work with Anno’s Africa, an organization based out of the United Kingdom promoting education resources in Africa. Artists for Africa joins Anno’s Africa and One Fine Day, based out of Germany, in the global fight for arts exposure and education for these children. A year later, Rust has again just returned home from Kenya and says, “I have all the confidence in the world that Columbia will once again come together to support me and this beautiful cause.”
The concerts include performances by members of the Columbia City Ballet, Columbia Summer Repertory Company, Trustus Theatre’s upcoming production of “Ragtime,” and Milwaukee Ballet among others. Saturday evening’s show includes a silent auction and food and beverages donated by Villa Tronco, Rosso, Gervais and Vine, Tin Roof, Blue Marlin, and Cellar on Greene. Framing of the artwork donated by The Frame Shop, City Art, Haven’s, Frames and Things, Framing Plus, House of Frames, Picture Perfect, and Just Susan’s Framing.
The events, sponsored by Top Hat Sweepers and the Columbia Music Festival Association, begin at 7pm on the 10th and 3pm on the 11th. Tickets for the 10th are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and for the 11th are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
For more information, please visit www.artistsforafricausa.org or to purchase tickets, call (803) 467-9004.
— Bonnie Boiter-Jolley
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