Film Screening/Panel Discussion on the Transformational Power of the Arts

CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY HOSTS FILM EVENT IN SUPPORT OF ARTS EDUCATION
Public Invited to FREE Film Screening/Panel Discussion at The Bijou Theatre, Saturday, October 20

The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (CAFC) and its partner organizations are proud to present a screening of the award-winning documentary film, Purple Dreams, at The Bijou Theatre, Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 12-2:30 pm.

This community event focuses on the transformational power of the arts and will include a Q&A and panel discussion with Robin Grey (producer) Javontre Booker (dancer, cast member) Angie Durrell, Founding Executive Director, INTEMPO; Sheena Graham (finalist for CT Teacher of the Year); moderated by Alicia Robinson, Director of Performing & Visual Arts, Bridgeport Public Schools and Local Program Director, Turnaround Arts: Bridgeport.

This event is free of charge, but advance registration is required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/purple-dreams-screening-tickets-50134489608

Purple Dreams, which just completed an outstanding run on the international film festival circuit, reveals an extraordinary Arts in Education success story. It shadows six high school students on an emotionally powerful three-year journey as they undertake production of The Color Purple.

This powerful, true story proves that with access to the arts and academic mentors, our at-risk youth have the potential to break the cycle of poverty in a single generation. The students juggle difficult home lives, personal rivalries, and disappointments as they further their education and help create a musical production that propels them into a world of opportunity they never expected.
View the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/greyhawk/review/206619346/d71b47c738

“Many of us were inspired and nurtured by our arts experiences and arts education, and the skills, discipline, and creativity we employ every day are a result of that influence,” notes CAFC Executive Director Angela Whitford. “At CAFC, our mission is to advocate for the arts and bring awareness to the public, to businesses, and to our elected officials that the arts are an integral and necessary part of our communities.”

The Purple Dream event was created through a collaboration between CAFC and its partner organizations -- Arts Empowers, ConnectUs, Intempo, Neighborhood Studios, Regional Center for the Arts, Turnaround Arts: Bridgeport and the Westport Arts Center. Thanks to the generosity of Richard Wenning, executive director of BeFoundation and leader of SpeadMusicNow, donations made to one or more of these partner organizations during the event, will be matched up to $5,000.

CAFC is also grateful to event sponsor People’s United Bank.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to partner with and support The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and its efforts to bring positive change to the lives of our youth through the arts,” said Valerie Senew, Senior Vice President and Growth Manager, Retail Banking for People’s United Bank. “As a community-focused bank, our mission is to have a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve, especially our youth, through inspirational and educational programs.

About The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a nonprofit, membership service organization that supports its members by providing unified marketing, capacity building, professional development, and advocacy services. For the public, it publishes FCBuzzEvents, a free comprehensive cultural calendar with the latest information on what’s happening across Fairfield County in music, theater, dance, visual arts, history, lectures, literature, kids & families, classes, workshops, special events & more.

The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County appreciates the major support received from the Connecticut Office of the Arts, Fairfield County's Community Foundation, New Canaan Community Foundation, Tauck Ritzau Innovative Philanthropy and the City of Norwalk.