SPAE Sponsors Des Lee Partner Blake Hernton to Attend New Festival

GRAMMY & Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens launches a new festival, Biscuits & Banjos, across Downtown Durham on April 25-27, 2025. The weekend-long event is dedicated to the celebration and exploration of Black music, art and culture in Giddens’ home state of North Carolina. The festival will champion Black artists and creators, offering robust musical performances alongside secondary programming to include lectures, workshops and readings from authors, chefs, visual artists, and more.

SPAE sponsored Des Lee Partner Blake Hernton to attend because we are beginning a new project around his own family heritage of fiddlers which he just learned of about a year ago when the Alabama Folklife Association published an article about it in their journal.

Reunion of Carolina Chocolate Drops

Rhiannon Giddens & Blake Hernton

New Dangerfield

Christian McBride & North Carolina Central Jazz B

Jalen Jackson (Green) Cardinal Ritter HS Student of Harvey Lockhart

Hubby Jenkins

Jah Mahal and Leyla McCalla


CONTACT:		Phyllis Pasley outreach@moaae.org
WEBSITE:		www.moaae.org/home
The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education, (MAAE) – also referred to as “the Alliance” – is comprised of individuals and organizations passionate about the the arts and arts education. They recognize the positive impact of engagement in the arts, and recognize the efficacy of coalition. By uniting with others to support and promote arts education, we can realize the vision: that all Missouri students will enjoy the benefits of a high-quality arts education.

ADDRESS:		3532a Greenwood Blvd Maplewood, MO 63143
CONTACS:		info@stlstringcollective.com (314) 325-2294
WEBSITE:		www.stlstringcollective.com
St. Louis String Collective promotes creative, multi-genre string instrument playing through educational programming and performance opportunities. We believe that: Supporting the arts is essential to the health and well-being of our community Mastering techniques and styles outside of the traditional classical pedagogy, such as developing improvisational skills and learning by ear develops well-rounded musicianship Learning a variety of musical styles and traditions cultivates compassion and curiosity

ADDRESS:		1615 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101
CONTACS:		Andy Lewis alewis@nationalbluesmuseum.org (314) 925-0016
WEBSITE:		nationalbluesmuseum.org
National Blues Mueseum is preserving the legacy and honoring the history of the music that gave voice to generations. Blues, baby, is the root of all American music, and we’re here to show you just how deep those roots go. They offer exhibits that’ll take you back to the early days of the blues, where it all began. You’ll see how this beautiful music has touched and influenced every corner of the U.S. and beyond.

ADDRESS:		Turley Performing Arts Academy 1023 Chesterfield Parkway East Chesterfield, MO 63017
CONTACT:		Crissy Nordin cnordin@stagesstlouis.org Administration: 636.530.5959 Academy: 636.449.5775
WEBSITE:		stagesstlouis.org
STAGES employs the best Musical Theatre artists available regionally and nationally for all productions. By holding auditions in St. Louis and New York, STAGES is able to attract not only Broadway talent, but also further its commitment to support professional St. Louis actors, providing nearly 450 union work weeks annually. In addition to being the top regional employer of local union actors, STAGES educates thousands of students each year at its Performing Arts Academy, the region’s only year-round arts school with a comprehensive curriculum run by a professional theatre company.

ADDRESS:		130 Edgar Rd. St. Louis, MO 63119
CONTACS:		Brian Coats: Program Manager Bcoats@repstl.org Britney Daniels: Community Engagement Manager Bwalkermerritte@repstl.org 314-687-4080
WEBSITE:		www.repstl.org
The Rep is the St. Louis region’s most honored live professional theatre company. Founded in 1966, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is a fully professional theatrical operation belonging to the League of Resident Theatres, The League of St. Louis Theatres and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre.

ADDRESS:		12580 Rott Road St. Louis, MO 63127
CONTACT:		Elsie Tuttle (217) 931.2779 (cell) (314) 615-5268 (office) ETuttle@laumeier.org
WEBSITE:		www.laumeiersculpturepark.org
Founded in 1976, Laumeier Sculpture Park is one of the first and largest sculpture parks in the country. It presents more than 70 works of large-scale outdoor sculpture throughout its 105-acre campus and serves 300,000 visitors of all ages each year with a world-class art collection, indoor and outdoor temporary exhibitions, education programs, and public events. Laumeier is free and open daily. Learn more at www.laumeier.org.

ADDRESS:		3221 McKelvey Rd Suite 106
CONTACT:		info@hectv.org 314.531.4455 Office 314.531.0750 Fax
WEBSITE:		www.hectv.org
HEC-TV is St. Louis’ leading producer of education, arts, and cultural television. Our mission is “to strengthen and promote education, arts, and cultural communities in the St. Louis metropolitan area.” HEC-TV is proud to bring you television that “makes you think.” For more information visit www.hectv.org.

ADDRESS:		9450 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63124
CONTACT:		Melissa Payton, Executive Director melissa.payton@bachsociety.org Danielle Feinstein danielle.feinstein@bachsociety.org 314-652-BACH info@bachsociety.org
WEBSITE:		www.bachsociety.org
Founded in 1941, The Bach Society is St. Louis’ oldest continuous semi-professional chorus. Our mission is to provide stimulating and enriching musical and educational experiences for audiences and performers in the tradition of Johann Sebastian Bach.

ADDRESS:		3547 Olive St Suite 204, St. Louis, MO 63103
CONTACT:		Brian Vaccaro, Executive Director Phone: 314.567.5566 Email: brian@stlclassicalguitar.org
WEBSITE:		www.stlclassicalguitar.org
St. Louis Classical Guitar (SLCG), previously known as the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society, is a non-profit arts agency whose mission is to promote positive impact through classical guitar performance and education. Founded in 1963 by students of George C. Krick, SLCG is the third oldest organization in the nation centered around classical guitar.

SPAE Sponsors Des Lee Partner Blake Hernton to Attend New Festival

Reunion of Carolina Chocolate Drops

Rhiannon Giddens & Blake Hernton

New Dangerfield

Christian McBride & North Carolina Central Jazz B

Hubby Jenkins

Jah Mahal and Leyla McCalla

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