Lorraine Graves & Friends
To Perform at Historic Attucks

       The Virginia Arts Festival and Norfolk Chapter of The Girl Friends, Inc. have collaborated to present Lorraine Graves and Friends featuring former principal dancers from the Dance Theater of Harlem, the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre and The Boston Ballet. Choreography is by Christopher Huggins, who recently had a work win the silver medal at the International Dance competition in Korea.  Local artists will include The Todd Rosenlieb Dance Company and Elbert Watson.  
        Ms. Graves, a Norfolk native, began her classical training at the Academy of the Norfolk Ballet under the direction of the late Gene Hammett.  In later years she was awarded full scholarships to the School of American Ballet and the American Ballet Center.  Upon graduation from high school, she attended Indiana University at Bloomington completing a four year program in three years earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ballet with Distinction. 
 

       Ms. Graves began her professional career with the Dance Theatre of Harlem rising to the rank of Principal Dancer within one year and three years later, became Ballet Mistress in addition to her duties as a dancer. 
      She has extensive teaching experience, including the North Carolina School of the Arts, The Governor’s School for the Arts in Virginia, and schools elsewhere. Ms. Graves continues to teach and coach nationwide.  She is permanent guest faculty at the Virginia School of the Arts and is on the Master Teacher faculty at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. 
        The Girl Friends, Inc. is one of the oldest and most highly respected social/civic organizations of African-American women in the United States.  It was founded in New York City during the creative ferment of the Harlem Renaissance.  The organization encompasses 1400 prominent women in forty-two chapters from coast to coast who are engaged in social, charitable, and cultural activities. 
        The performance date is Friday, October 26, 2007 at the historic Attucks Theater in Norfolk at 8:00 pm.  Tickets are $55.00 per person. 
        For further information please contact Jan Campbell, President, Norfolk Chapter of The Girl Friends, Inc. at 707-338-0501 or by email at janboykins@msn.com.    

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