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Jazz in the Heights 2019

Kennedy Heights Arts Center pleased to present the third annual Jazz in the Heights, a summer concert series featuring world-class jazz performers.

Jazz in the Heights 2019 will include three concerts: WonderJazz: Stevie Wonder Reimagined on June 9; The Dixie Karas Group on July 14; and Dan Faehnle with Jim Connerley on August 4. All performances are on Sundays at 2:00 pm and proceeds benefit Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s programs for diverse youth and adults.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Free tickets are available for Kennedy Heights residents by calling 513-631-4278.

Series sponsors are Jazz Alive, Seta Music, Cincinnati Event Rental and LAG Productions, LLC.

Wonderjazz: Stevie Wonder Reimagined – Sunday, June 9 at 2:00 pm
Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame pianist Phil DeGreg and his highly regarded trio of Aaron Jacobs and John Taylor join with guitarist Brad Myers and vocalist Kathy Wade to reimagine the songs of Stevie Wonder. The melodies are all still there, but with surprising improvisational twists. More

The Dixie Karas Group – Sunday, July 14 at 2:00 pm
One of the Queen City’s most powerful singers, Dixie Karas and her band deliver soulful jazz standards. Well known for her uniquely passionate and dynamic voice, Dixie brings energy to any live or studio setting. She will be accompanied by Aaron Jacobs (on bass), Jim Connerley (on piano), John Taylor (on drums), and Ted Karas (on guitar). More

Dan Faehnle with Jim Connerley – Sunday, August 4 at 2:00 pm
One of the best jazz guitarists working today, Dan Faehnle performs with pianist Jim Connerley. With the technical prowess of a jazz giant, Ohio native Faehnle has made an indelible mark upon the music world, receiving high praise from audiences and critics alike. From an up-tempo bebop anthem to a languid, emotional reading of a ballad, Faehnle’s nimble fingers caress his guitar. Whether captivating his jazz club audiences or adding the perfect support to groups like Pink Martini, this young jazz artist is destined to put his name alongside the other guitar greats. More

All concerts will take place at Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s Lindner Annex, 6620 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45213. Events include complimentary lite bites and cash bar. Free on-site parking.

Announcing our 2019 Artists-in-Residence

We are excited to announce that poet Wendy McVicker (Athens, OH) and artist Nancy Gamon (Cincinnati, OH) have been selected as our 2019 Artists-in-Residence. 

Wendy has been an Ohio Arts Council Teaching Artist since 2000, and loves bringing people together to discover themselves through the sharing of stories. She has found that the sharing of stories can form bonds between people that leads to more creativity. Wendy’s works have been published in many small journals and anthologies, and in the chapbooks The Dancer’s Notes (2015) and Sliced Dark: a collaboration of poems and pictures, with artist John McVicker (2019). She previously led a creative writing residency with Kennedy Heights Arts Center in 2013. Indeed, this is where she met our fellow artist in residence!

Nancy Gamon is an experimental mixed-media artist who spends time creating and teaching in her studio at the KHAC Linder Annex. At her studio, she has inspired fellow artists to delve into their own lives to create art that signifies more than what’s on the surface. In addition to her studio teaching, Nancy produces her own weekly arts and crafts video series on YouTube. Last year, she also curated the exhibit “Second Glances” at Kennedy Heights Arts Center, which explored the theme of gender identity through apparel. Nancy hopes to continue her exploration into the theme of apparel in this residency.

For four weeks in April and May, these two artists will lead a community art project called Common Threads that connects text with textiles. With much political division in our everyday lives, Wendy and Nancy are hoping to focus on commonalities between people that unite us. Participants of all ages will be invited to consider ways to visually express the unity of their experiences as human beings while celebrating our individual stories. Participants will express their own personal truths through creative writing, and use their stories as inspiration to create a wearable piece of clothing using stitching, painting and other art techniques.

There will be opportunities for adults and youth to take part in the project. Participation is free, thanks to support from The John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust.

Go HERE to learn more about the residency and how to participate— or contact Mallory Feltz or call 513-631-4278 to sign up.

Creating a Home

It’s probably no coincidence that the Kennedy Mansion began its life in 1875 as a home—the home of neighborhood founder Lewis Kennedy.

Today, Kennedy Heights Arts Center is still creating a home. Although it no longer houses a single family, the center is a home for community activity; home for creative experiences and meaningful conversations; a home for everyone.

“Kennedy Heights Arts Center is Home,” remarked collaborator Ena Nearon Menefield. “Home for meaningful conversations. Home for expressive, diverse exhibitions. Home for new experiences. Home for good friends. Home for everyone.”

In thought-provoking art exhibitions, community engagement and cultural events of all kinds, Kennedy Heights Arts Centers sparks community dialogue and promotes interaction across generations, racial and economic groups. It demonstrates how art can be a vehicle for social change.

“There is such a range of diverse projects going on at KHAC that brings in so many different people. That this even exists in Cincinnati is rare,” said Ena. “The Arts Center goes beyond being a passive viewer of art—it draws you in. You are welcome as you are. You can share your thoughts and ideas, and be inspired.”

Be part of this incredible story with your gift to Kennedy Heights Arts Center. 

GIVE NOW

After all, there is no place like home.

We are the Other

I first learned about photographer Wing Young Huie from my sister Amy Muse who lives in St. Paul, MN, when she told me about his University Avenue Project. For three years, Wing photographed the dizzying diversity in the St. Paul neighborhoods connected by this major thoroughfare—blue-collar neighborhoods and burgeoning condominium communities in the midst of one of the highest concentration of international immigrants in the country—collectively reflecting the colliding and evolving American experience.

In 2010, in collaboration with Public Art Saint Paul, 500 of Wing’s photographs transformed University Avenue into a six-mile gallery, exhibited in store windows and on buildings and at a spectacular installation site where outdoor photographic slide shows were projected nightly on billboard-sized screens in a former car dealership lot.

Here is an artist who has spent his life photographing strangers, thousands of strangers, who he encounters in many ways, often on Twin Cities streets, and across the US and in China. As the Minnesota Post wrote, “His photographs are of black people, white people, brown people and yellow people living their lives, going about their days, and sometimes, with the help of a chalkboard, revealing their innermost thoughts. His art is a mirror that reflects (our society) as it is today, asking us to notice what many of us look at but never see.”

Ever since, I have followed Wing’s career and was thrilled to hear that he was recognized as the McKnight Foundation’s 2018 Distinguished Artist, a major award for an individual artist and huge honor.

I am even more thrilled to be bringing Wing to Cincinnati! Kennedy Heights Arts Center is presenting We are the Other: Wing Young Huie, a retrospective exhibition for the 2018 FotoFocus Biennial – his first exhibition in Ohio. The show opens Sept 29 and continues through Nov 10.

Wing will be in Cincinnati for the opening this weekend, and you don’t want to miss two rare opportunities to hear from him! Join us at the opening reception on Saturday, September 29 from 6-9 pm; Wing will give a brief gallery talk at 7:00.

The next day, on Sunday, September 30 at 2:00 pm, Wing will present an interactive slideshow lecture What Do You See? in KHAC’s Lindner Annex. We would love to have a broad audience in attendance as diverse viewpoints will enrich the dialogue.

Wing believes there is no right or wrong way to interpret a photograph. We all have varying perspectives. But how much of what we see is shaped by images from mass culture, rather than by our daily interactions? After the participants view a photograph and engage in conversation about it, Wing then reveals a backstory that will complicate and challenge initial perceptions, opening up perspectives not considered.

We are, of course, much more than our photographs. Yet how we look at photographs shows us how we look at each other.

Jazz in the Heights

It’s Jazz in the Heights! This summer we’re presenting world-class jazz performers in three special concerts in our Lindner Annex. Join us for sweet sounds, fabulous company, amazing art, great food and drink, and more. All proceeds from Jazz in the Heights benefit Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s programs for diverse youth.

Sponsored by: Jazz Alive, Seta Music, Cincinnati Event Rental, and LAG Productions, LLC

Tickets are $25 in advance/$30 at the door. Get a series pass for all three shows for $65 (save $10!) All concerts will take place in Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s Lindner Annex, 6620 Montgomery Road (corner of Kennedy and Montgomery).

MANDY GAINES | Saturday, June 9
Acclaimed for her soulful vocals and improvisational gifts, Mandy has been singing professionally since 1988, and has performed with dozens of jazz’s biggest names, including Wynton Marsalis and Randy Brecker. Her fresh interpretations of jazz, soul and pop classics have delighted audiences around the globe. Pre-concert reception with free food from Dewey’s Pizza, artist demonstrations and cash bar starts at 7 pm. Concert at 8 pm. Buy tickets

TRIBUTE TO HORACE SILVER | Sunday, July 22
The Phil DeGreg Trio with Mike Wade present a tribute to jazz great Horace Silver. Phil DeGreg is an internationally known jazz pianist, Professor Emeritus of Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati CCM, and inductee in the Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame. Named one of the top ten unsigned jazz, brass players by Jazziz Magazine (1997), trumpeter Mike Wade has performed with artists from David “Fathead”Newman to Bootsy Collins. Pre-concert reception with free food by the BonBonerie, artist demonstrations and cash bar starts at 1 pm. Concert at 2 pm. Buy tickets

TERELL STAFFORD | Saturday, August 4
Acclaimed trumpet player based in New York, Terell Stafford has been hailed as “one of the great players of our time” by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Stafford is the Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental
Studies at Temple University, founder and band leader of the Terell Stafford Quintet, and Managing and Artistic Director of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia. He is a member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, awarded a GRAMMY in 2009 for Best Large Ensemble. and has received countless award nominations and accolades. Pre-concert reception with free food, artist demonstrations and cash bar starts at 7 pm. Concert at 8 pm. Buy tickets

Consider becoming a Jazz in the Heights host!
Concert Hosts receive VIP reserved seating for two to the concert of your choice, two drink tickets and special recognition in the concert program for $100. Series Hosts receive these benefits for all three concerts for a contribution of $250. And even more importantly, you will be supporting KHAC’s work to make the arts accessible to everyone.

Jazz in the Heights Hosts

Concert Host: Mandy Gaines $100.00 USD Concert Host: Tribute to Horace Silver $100.00 USD Concert Host: Terell Stafford $100.00 USD Series Host $250.00 USD

Name to appear in program

Announcing our 2018 Artist-in-Residence

Share your Time and Talents with Us

Is it your New Years resolution to give back and get more involved in your community? We can help you out with that!

There are many meaningful and fun ways to volunteer at Kennedy Heights Arts Center. Give us some of your time, and you will discover a renewed sense of community.

We are currently seeking out professionals who can lend skills to some committees and strategic initiatives of the board, including:

• Special events, organizer and development folks (especially who love music) to serve on a committee for our Summer Jazz Series fundraiser
• Marketing/communications folks to develop materials and strategies to help us launch a new program
• Business folks to help us develop a business plan for a facility rental “social enterprise”
• People interested in serving on a diversity committee to promote broader engagement of diverse audiences at KHAC

We also are always seeking volunteers to help implement our many programs and keep the organization running. As a volunteer, your time and talents can be used in many ways:

• The Lewis League – Welcoming individuals who monitor the gallery and assist customers in the gift shop on Saturdays.
• Keepers of the Mansion – Willing workers to help with yard work, painting and building improvements.
• Helping Hands – Volunteers who assist with special events, such as registration, food service, leading art activities, and set-up and clean up.
• Art Aides – Volunteers who enjoy making art and working with children to assist art instructors in after-school art classes and summer camps.
• Administrative Artisans – Volunteers who provide support in the office during the workday. Tasks may include data entry, preparing bulk mailings, clerical tasks and answering phones.

For more information about how you can get involved, please contact Ellen via email or give us a call at 513.631.4278.

Enlivening Neighborhoods

In July, more than 300 residents of all ages came together to celebrate five years of Play in the Park. One look at the diverse group of neighbors gathered in Kennedy Park making art, listening to music and connecting with one another – it would be hard to tell that five years ago this was the location of two homicides.

Through the efforts of local volunteers, in partnership with Cincinnati Parks, Cincinnati Police, Kennedy Heights Arts Center and other groups, the neighborhood has reclaimed this public space and restored our sense of safety. Every week all summer long, people come together for a variety of community activities — and we’ve seen first-hand the power of the arts to connect and heal.

On one of the first nights of Play in the Park, many residents gathered in a circle each with a small frame drum. Master percussionist Baba Charles Miller led the group in playing instruments and singing a traditional African song. One of the residents called the experience “magical” and “deeply moving” as our music rose up on a beautiful summer evening.

The impact has been remarkable. There have been no more incidents of violence in the park. The police have hailed it as a model for combating violence and building community. Of course, there are many things and people who make Play in the Park a success, but those times we make music or create art together really connect us as a community.

Kennedy Heights Arts Center has made a visible, revitalizing impact on our community — transforming two vacant buildings into vibrant community arts centers and bringing together more than 5,000 diverse residents every year through free arts and cultural experiences.

The importance of the arts goes far beyond sharing creative experiences. In a world too often fractured and divided, the arts have the power to connect people, strengthen communities and restore a sense of belonging.

We invite you to be a community builder with your tax-deductible contribution to Kennedy Heights Arts Center.

This year’s Annual Fund goal is to raise $50,000, and we need your help to get there. Your financial support ensures that 100% of our programs are accessible to everyone regardless of ability to pay.

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Bridging Cultural Divides

Last spring, something truly special happened. We danced.

Perhaps that doesn’t sound remarkable, but the experience generated a sense of joy and connection that’s rare. Guided by our artist-in-residence from Inlet Dance Theatre (Cleveland, OH), racially and economically diverse residents of all ages and all ability levels came together for one month to dance. In our core group of adults, the oldest was 75 years old and the youngest were in their 20s. 

Strangers came together through the love of dance and formed strong bonds. Participants learned far more than dance steps; they built community.

Participants called the whole experience “amazing,” saying “it opened up doors/windows for me,” and they “appreciated the ways of honoring people coming from a variety of backgrounds and abilities.”

In a world too often fractured and divided, the arts have the unique power to connect people to each other and restore a sense of belonging.

We invite you to join us in our mission by becoming a community builder with a tax-deductible donation to Kennedy Heights Arts Center. Your contribution helps ensure that 100% of our programs are accessible to everyone regardless of income.

Give Today

Fueling Creativity

Something special is happening in Kennedy Heights. Every day, we are seeing evidence of how the arts bring people together, fuel creativity and create a more vibrant neighborhood. Over the next few weeks we will share a few stories that demonstrate this impact – and how you can help.

Lemuel Josiah Hogue – “L.J.” to his friends – first got involved at Kennedy Heights Arts Center at age 9 as a student in our summer arts camp.

L.J. says he was drawn to art from the time he was a young boy. Being dyslexic, he had trouble reading, so his father would read comic books with him and the artwork in the comic books inspired him.

In summer camp, L.J. was able to explore his creative side in many ways – drawing, painting, photography, drumming and more. To be honest, it was a little rough going for L.J. at first as he struggled to stay focused and to connect with peers in a positive way.

But through his years at KHAC, his artistic skills not only grew but his social skills flourished as well, and surprising many, LJ became one of our strongest youth leaders.

In 2012, he was invited by art instructor Cedric Cox to be an intern for our 2-week Camp Create which he did for several years, assisting instructors and younger students. Then, in 2015, L.J. approached us about volunteering at the arts center all summer long. I said “Are you sure about this? Working with kids all day, every day can be tiring.”

But L.J. was determined. Over the course of the summer, he volunteered nearly 200 hours working with more than 100 campers. L.J. brought so much to our summer camp program. His joyful, positive demeanor towards campers, staff, and volunteers brightened each day while his confidence and responsibility for camp procedures helped all of the little details fall into place.

Last year, L.J. graduated from Roger Bacon High School and went on to college – where he’s studying to be a teacher at Ohio State University. A student who once struggled, L.J. became a role model for others.

We invite you to join us in our mission by becoming a community builder with a tax-deductible donation to Kennedy Heights Arts Center.  Your contribution helps ensure that 100% of our programs are accessible to everyone regardless of income. 

Give Today