Black History: “Then Now & Black Joy”

BETHLEHEM, PA— The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts) will hold its annual Black History Month Show virtually this year on February 12, 20, and 27, 2021.

“Black History: Then, Now & Black Joy” is produced by the Charter Arts Black Student Union, and features students using their art to celebrate the excellence and beauty of the Black community as well as their personal experiences with systemic racism and oppression. Ultimately, it is a celebration of resilience and the ability to live with joy.

The show includes original poetry,monologues, vocal performances, a piano performance, a dance performance and some student artwork. In addition, student interviews and a video montage are featured. Student producers include Trinity Jefferson, Malachi Chapman, Ally Hungoni, and Marlee Davis. Faculty advisors include Jodi Fowler, Kristen Bruck and Brigham Madden-Cox.

“The Black Student Union created an inspiring and meaningful show that highlights and celebrates Black History and Excellence,” says MaryJo Rosania-Harvie, Chief of Artistic Programs and Events/Co-Principal. “I want to thank the student producers and BSU advisors for their hard work. These artists and teachers prove that they can create change and inspire important conversations with the work they do.”

Performance dates include: February 12, 20, and 27, 2021. Tickets for the streamed event are $3 and can be purchased at showtix4u.com/events/charterarts. Proceeds from this student-produced show benefit the Black Student Union”s Free Little Library Project.

ABOUT THE LEHIGH VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS (Charter Arts)

Charter Arts is an audition-based public charter school that provides a comprehensive curriculum for high school students, grades 9-12, who have a passion for the arts. Students major in one of seven artistic areas: dance, instrumental music, literary arts, production arts, theatre, visual arts, or vocal music.

Charter Arts’ rigorous curriculum fosters both academic and artistic excellence for its students. The school’s impressive Future Ready PA Index ranking, Advanced Placement (AP) exam statistics, Keystone Exam statistics, SAT scores, prestigious artistic accolades, and graduation rate, are testaments to the outstanding education that Charter Arts provides.

Charter Arts is proud to celebrate its eighteenth year as one of the most respected high schools for the arts in the nation. Charter Arts was one of only 349 schools in the nation to be named a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2020, the school earned the Title I Distinguished School designation for the fourth year in a row, placing it in the top 5 % of all Title I high schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Recently, Charter Arts was ranked as #1 Best Public High School Teachers in PA (out of 666) and #1 Best Charter High School in Pennsylvania on Niche’s 2021 Best Schools in America Rankings.

Charter Arts is located at 321 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem PA 18015.

For more information, visit www.CharterArts.org.

Information & Image Provided By:
Ann Gillette
Manager of Public Relations and Media
Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts
321 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
www.CharterArts.org