FORT COLLINS, Colorado – Beet Street announces Finding Home: Sharing the Journey of our Collective Immigration, a collaborative community series running April 2 through May 3, 2009.
Finding Home is a month-long celebration of the Fort Collins community’s patchwork heritage. It puts immigration in the spotlight, and provides personal and historical context for the topic by encouraging shared stories, various perspectives and an open dialogue.
Downtown Fort Collins will host a variety of Finding Home performances, lectures and exhibits designed to celebrate cultural heritage, explore artistic styles and stimulate community awareness with a combined focus on immigration. More than 15 organizations and businesses representing dance, theater, fine art, music, film, lecture, literature and advocacy are participating in this community series including: Beet Street, OpenStage Theatre & Company, Fort Collins Museum, Bas Bleu Theatre Company, Museo de las Tres Colonias, Canyon Concert Ballet, Lyric Cinema Café, Poudre River Public Library District, Colorado State University School of the Arts, downtown galleries, Impact Dance and the City of Fort Collins.
The series kicks off with the traveling Heritage Quilt project at the Northside Aztlan Community Center and a free student screening of Anon(ymous) by OpenStage Theatre on April 2, and culminates in the City of Fort Collins Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in Civic Center Park May 2 and 3.
The idea of hosting a community-wide immigration series began last year with a simple conversation between Beet Street and OpenStage Theatre. After collaborating to raise awareness about the subject of poverty in 2008, programming directors at both organizations realized the topic of immigration warranted its own series and discussion, and is a subject the residents of Fort Collins care about.
Word spread about the possible series and the idea gained momentum. Recognizing that people are all connected and strengthened by the common threads of immigration, community leaders and organizations overwhelmingly embraced the theme for their 2009 programming.
“Our country's past and its present is steeped in immigration. Each of us, whether through our ancestors or our personal experience, has a migration story. The subject lies at the very heart of who we are,” said Denise Burson Freestone, producing artistic director of OpenStage Theatre.
OpenStage is presenting the play Anon(ymous) as part of the Finding Home community series. Anon(ymous) follows the adventures of a young refugee who flees his war-torn country and embarks on a journey to a new life. Based on Homer's The Odyssey, Anon(ymous) offers a rich and witty exploration of how we all search for home and identity.
“The Finding Home series reflects the abundant body of work inspired by immigration,” said Freestone, who feels Anon(ymous) is no exception. “Through Anon(ymous) we hope to present a dynamic theatrical experience that will resonate throughout our community and broaden our
understanding of contemporary immigration issues." Beet Street-sponsored events in the Finding Home community series on immigration include:
April 21, 7pm, Lincoln Center
FRANK SHARRY: A Frank Talk About Immigration Reform
If people think they have immigration all figured out, they will leave with a fresh perspective after attending Frank Sharry’s event. Sharry speaks simply, yet eloquently, to help people navigate the political rhetoric surrounding immigration. Sharry is Founder and Executive Director of America’s Voice, a nonprofit communications organization dedicated to winning common sense immigration reform in our country.
April 26, 1pm, Lincoln Center
DAN ZANES & FRIENDS ¡Nueva York! Concert
It’s house party time with Dan Zanes, musical star of Playhouse Disney. The Grammy Award-winning recording artist is as well known for his eccentric hairdo as he is for his irresistible, toe-tappin’ tunes for kids of all ages. Zanes demonstrates that people can make beautiful and vibrant music when they share different cultures, techniques, rhythms and styles, and he celebrates immigration by connecting people to some of the most interesting and engaging music on the planet.
April 28, 7pm, Lincoln Center
EDWARD JAMES OLMOS: We’re All in the Same Gang
Edward James Olmos is an award-winning actor, producer, director and community activist. In his presentation, Olmos tells the inspiring story of how he survived the barrio to succeed on his own terms by making tough choices. He is quick to identify those defining moments that shaped his positive and rewarding path in life. Olmos emphasizes the need for all races to combine their strengths, and he explains how diversity works to our society’s advantage.
Beet Street board president Patty Spencer is confident the Finding Home community series on immigration will bring people downtown, providing a boost to the local economy.
“With the help of local partners, Beet Street is able to explore broader topics, offer diverse perspectives and increase energy and activity in downtown Fort Collins,” said Spencer, who maintains that Beet Street is dedicated to putting Fort Collins on the map as an arts, ideas and entertainment destination.
“When people come downtown for a Finding Home event, we encourage them to enjoy dinner, go shopping, and take advantage of everything historic downtown Fort Collins has to offer,” said Spencer. “We live in a city with an exceptional cultural arts community and a thriving downtown commercial district. Beet Street exists to help them both succeed. ”
Tickets for Frank Sharry and Edward James Olmos are $10, VIP seating and meet the speaker tickets are $15, and student/senior (60+) tickets are $8. Tickets for Dan Zanes and Friends are $10, all ages. Tickets are available at www.lctix.com or call (970) 221-6730 for tickets. Finding Home partners, program details and a complete calendar of events can be found at www.BeetStreet.org.