Planting a Seed for the Future of the Arts at the 5th Annual Spring Tea

On Sunday April 30, nearly 200 guests joined BBB4E and the Midwest Youth Choir students and families at the Halls of St. George for the 5th Annual Spring Tea Fundraiser. The event was supported by presenting sponsor Tri-State Automation. 

Pianist, Billy Foster, provided live music while guests enjoyed fragrant teas and raffle baskets. Items in the baskets were donated by BBB4E board members, other community supporters and businesses including It’s Just Serendipity and the Hammond Port Authority.

The highlights of the afternoon were performances by students in the Midwest Youth Choir level 1 and level 2. The theme for the 5th Annual Tea was Planting a Seed for the Future of Arts in Our Community. At BBB4E we believe this is essential for many reasons. For one, learning music at an early age helps students develop foundational math and reading skills, according to Americans for the Arts. Creating music together is also a way for students to learn important social and emotional skills like teamwork and confidence. Every Child deserves access to these things.

However music was not the only art on display. Poet, Terra Cooks, read a theme setting poem. And poet, Sam Love, led an exquisite corpse poem writing game. Each poem began with a writing prompt; one line was written by each guest around the table. Twenty-four poems were written collectively that afternoon and several were read aloud during the event. Also former Midwest Youth Choir Director, Jade Maze, returned to read excerpts from her two novels. Read more about Jade’s work here.

Raffle baskets were distributed and each guest was given a blossoming tea and seed packet in spirit of planting a seed for the future of the arts.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed in a variety of ways. Your dedication to the arts in Northwest Indiana makes programs like the Midwest Youth Choir possible. Over $5,000 was raised, which will support BBB4E arts education programming. Monies support finical assistance for music classes and other free programs like the Book Brigade.