Osupa 4 August 2010 Education, Higher Learning, Lifestyle, MXO Entertainment News, MXO Events, MXO News, NEON News, Special Events, The Arts Unplugged No Comment

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By Ms. Osupa Nia

Posted August 4th 2010

Get ready Greater Cleveland a new art form may have been created right here on our Northcoast shores. NEON ON TOUR is proud to present ‘Poetic Motion’ this Friday, August 6^th from 7p-9p at the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland located at 3630 Fairmount Boulevard in Shaker Heights, Ohio. This is a college benefit event.

‘Poetic Motion’ is a fusion of dance and poetry. Nehemiah Spencer, Choreographer for ‘Poetic Motion’ excitedly explains ‘It is a fusion of everything I have learned. It is ‘Classical’ mixed with ‘Hip Hop’ and ‘Modern’ dance. I want people to see the poetry form in the light of dance!’  Derrick Holifield will perform the ‘Spoken Word’ in this cutting edge production to a compilation of music ranging from abstract to Patti Labelle and Aretha Franklin.

Nehemiah Spencer and Derrick Holifield are two exceptional graduate students of The Cleveland School of Arts’ class 2010.  As they embark upon their life’s journey their first mission will take them to higher learning institutions this fall.  Derrick Holifield will attend Howard University and Nehemiah Spencer will start at The University of North Carolina School of Arts. Sharing common backgrounds both students were raised in single parent households in the Glenville area. Spencer and Holifield both were high performance students at The Cleveland School of Arts. Holifield was the Senior Class President and Spencer was the Rehearsal Director for the dance department. Excelling at whatever they aspire to take on, Spencer was the youngest member of the renowned ‘Urban Dance Collective’ troupe at the Cleveland School of Arts. Holifield was among six final contestants for Playhouse Squares’ 2010 ‘U Slam’ ‘Spoken Word’ competition. Nehemiah Spencer credits his mom with being the biggest influence to his success. His goal is to teach and he would love to dance with Desmond Richardson’s ‘Complexions’ dance troupe.

Holifield and Spencer are two young men who have overcome the insurmountable odds of succeeding in an urban environment. They are currently faced with a huge financial obligation for college tuition.  Help these young men continue their dream by attending this extraordinary event. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students. If you are not able to attend donations are accepted at any Key Bank: Cleveland Youth College Fund. In the words of Derrick Holified, ‘Despite statistics, our youth indeed have futures!’ Hopefully I’ll see you there!