News

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center is reintroducing the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts (ESLCPA) program, to the delight of its Metro East supporters. 

The highly acclaimed ESLCPA will resume its programming this summer at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus (ESLHEC), 601 James R. Thompson Blvd., in East St. Louis. 

“After a three year hiatus, I am pleased to announce the return of the Performing Arts Program for summer 2015,” said Jesse Dixon, Center director.  

The summer program is designed for youth, ages 6-17. 

Registration is now open from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. To register, contact Sam Chapple at (618) 482-6913 or schappl@siue.edu. For on-site registration, visit Suite 1055, Building A, ESLHEC, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd. in East St. Louis. 

Classes meet from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, June 22-Friday, July 24 in Buildings C and D at ESLHEC. 

The fee is $50 per child and $25 for each additional child, if registering two or more children from the same family. Fees may be paid in cash or money order, if paying in person. Money orders are to be made payable to SIUE. All registrations are final and must be paid prior to admission to class. There are no refunds. 

Class offerings will include Dunham Technique, modern hip-hop, West African dance and ballet by trained professionals with a long history of working in the arts.  

Music offerings will consist of piano, guitar, drums, voice and African Drums taught by skilled musicians from the Metro East. Students will also engage in arts and crafts and experience cultural enrichment through field trips to various museums and theatres.  

SIUE established ESLCPA, formerly known as the Katherine Dunham Center for the Performing Arts (KDCPA) in 1967. World-renowned dancer, anthropologist and choreographer, Katherine Dunham is the founder.

 For 48 years, ESLCPA has provided classes, workshops, cultural programs and performing arts to the citizens of the Metro East and St. Louis area. The program has brought national acclaim to SIUE, East St. Louis and Illinois.

 For more information, contact Shrylene Clark Langston, Center assistant director, (618) 482-6906. 

 SIUE East St. Louis Center: With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals—from pre-school through adult—in the Metro East region. The Center offers programs that give the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. It does so by providing comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts. 

Photos:

Students in SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts (ESLCPA) perform during previous shows.