Senate Resolution No. 984

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING the Dwana Smallwood Performing Arts
Center upon the occasion of hosting its More Arts
More Alive Festival to be held June 29, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those dance studios whose commitment and creative talents
contribute to the cultural enrichment and entertainment of their
community and the entire State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
commend the Dwana Smallwood Performing Arts Center upon the occasion of
hosting its More Arts More Alive (M.A.M.A.) Festival to be held June 29,
2019; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious Festival will offer free dance classes, and
free performances by local artists, as well as food, crafts and more;
and

WHEREAS, Founder Dwana Smallwood was born in Bedford-Stuyvesant and
learned to dance at an early age; this led to her tenure as a principal
dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 1995-2007; and

WHEREAS, Dwana Smallwood was proclaimed "one of the greatest modern
dancers" by Vogue magazine and danced before millions as a guest on "The
Oprah Winfrey Show" as a part of her "The Best..." series; and

WHEREAS, In addition to "The Oprah Winfrey Show", Dwana Smallwood
has graced many American television shows including "Sesame Street",
"Good Morning America", "The Today Show", "Vibe" and "The Kennedy Center
Honors"; in 2013, she was featured on "Oprah: Where Are They Now" on the
OWN network; and

WHEREAS, The Dwana Smallwood Performing Arts Center Dance programs
include a variety of fun-filled, electrifying and rigorous training
courses designed for dancers with serious goals to develop, improve and
strengthen their level of technique, self-confidence and artistry,
culminating in a breathtaking performance; and

WHEREAS, Classes provide dancers with an intense, soul-searching,
and esteem-building experience giving voice and movement to their joys
and struggles; students have the choice of selecting individual course
disciplines in Ballet, Modern, African, Tap and Hip Hop; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, the Dwana Smallwood
Performing Arts Center uses dance as a platform to encourage, inspire,
and facilitate the aspirations of young people by engendering within
them discipline, pride, determination, humility, respect and an
appreciation for the arts; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
businesses of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our

attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Dwana Smallwood Performing Arts Center upon the occasion of
hosting its More Arts More Alive (M.A.M.A.) Festival to be held June 29,
2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Dwana Smallwood Performing Arts Center, Brooklyn, New
York.