Thirteen Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI) students will participate in a semester-long graduate-level class at the Madame Walker Theatre Center this spring. This course, offered through the IUPUI Museum Studies Program (http://liberalarts.iupui.edu/mstd/) is designed to document, preserve, and research the historic and artistic materials contained within this National Historic Landmark (http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/indianapolis/walkerbuilding.html). . Led by IUPUI adjunct instructor, Richard McCoy(http://www.imamuseum.org/art/conservation), who is an art conservator at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and assisted by graduate student Deanna Cundiff, students in the class will be creating a database that holds information about items of historic significance at the Walker and providing long-term preservation recommendations.

The Madame Walker Theatre Center has a TON going on for the big game!! As an official Super Celebration Site we are expecting a ton of visitors. Here are the NINE big things to do at the Walker during Superbowl. Pick AT LEAST one and be here! Can't wait to show off our newly painted ballroom and welcome visitors to our awesome city! 1. Soul Food Friday with Kountry Kitchen, sponsored by IRT and Yelp, 1/27 2. Jazz on the Avenue with Sandy Lomax and Grants Catering, 1/27 3. Super BOLD Battle of the Bands, 1/27 4. Super Soul Celebration Tribute to Vandross, Gaye and Hyman, 1/28 5. Super Blue Moon Sunday sponsored by Sun King Beer, 1/29 6. Madam's Movie showing The Josephine Baker Story, 1/31 7. Greek Night at the Walker with the Loud Pack Show and DJ DayDay, 2/1 8. DMC Concert with Tasha Jones and Micheal Blackson, 2/3 9. Daily Tours! Call us at 317-236-2099 to schedule a tour, ask questions or buy tickets!

The Madame Walker Theatre Center has officially completed its 2011 Season with the finale of Black Nativity - the 50th Anniversary of the Broadway show by Langston Hughes. The stageplay, direceted by Sherri Brown Webster boasted 3 packed performances this weekend in the historic theatre. With a lively cast and 9 local pastors representing their congregations, the weekend abounded in laughs and soulful singing. The event was sponsored by IUPUI, Key Bank and FedEx. A huge thanks to the cast for donating their time, for the Northside New Era musicians and Rev. Gregory Squires. Thanks to Deidre Coleman, every volunteer, every stage hand and every tech! What a great way to end the year. Looking for the names of the cast? See some of Indianapolis' up and coming artists here: Anthony, Terica (Soloist/Ensemble) Brewer, Jaila (Soloist/Ensemble) Davis, Ro (Ensemble) Dunn, Karen (Soloist/Ensemble) Faison Jr., Carlton (Joseph/ Shepherd Boy /Ensemble) Harden, Ja’Nia (Soloist/Ensemble) Johnson, Stephen (Ensemble/Shepherd Boy) McCloud, Bettina (Ensemble) Miller, Kealy (Ensemble) Payton, Temara (Narrator/ Ensemble) Reid, Linda (Soloist/Ensemble) Shelton, Rev. Anthony (Voice Over Narration) Veasey, Komoca (Mary/Ensemble) Walker, Nadine (Soloist/Ensemble) Wright, Aaron (Shepherd Boy/Ensemble)

A'Lelia Bundles, Madam Walker's great-great-granddaughter and biographer, was in Indianapolis recently to help promote the upcoming November 10th performance of the Dance Theatre of Harlem at the Madame Walker Theatre Center (MWTC), where she is a board member. Visit www.walkertheatre.com for tickets. Click the link to watch the segment! http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/indy_style/in_indy_now/descendent-of-madam-cj-walker

Plié. Grand Jeté. Pirouette. Arabesque. These are all terms I learned as a young girl studying ballet in Springfield, Illinois. My teacher was a very short German lady named Dorothy Irvine, and she taught strict Checchetti technique. I was in my first real ballet company by age 11 and, like so many other young girls my age, I lived to dance! I went on to study dance education and dance history in college and I still get excited when I see ballet performances, from beginners to professional dancers. I am certainly feeling the excitement right now, as The Madame Walker Theatre Center presents the DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM ENSEMBLE on November 10th & 11th!!! Here’s the schedule: • Thursday, November 10th from 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Free panel discussion on “The Dancer’s Body” with representatives from the Indianapolis dance community • Thursday, November 10th at 7:30 p.m. Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble Performance (Tickets available at www.walkertheatre.com or www.ticketmaster.com) • Friday, November 11th at 11:00 a.m., the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble Student Matinee; Cost is $2.50 per student and, schools are encouraged to attend (Email your RSVP to rsvp@walkertheatre.com) • Friday, November 11th from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m., Ballet Master Keith Sanders will teach a Master Class for intermediate to advanced ballet dancers; Cost is $15 per dancer. (Email your RSVP to rsvp@walkertheatre.com) So……Bourrée yourself on over to The Madame Walker Theatre Center. We want to keep you on your toes!!! Dr. Terry Whitt Bailey President & CEO

On Friday, September 16th, Freda Payne graced Indianapolis with her presence at the Madame Walker Theatre Center as part of the week of activities for the Indy Jazz Fest. In a fabulous gold-sequined gown, Payne showed us that she still has the look and the talent. With just a piano, drums and a bass to accompany her vocal instrument, Payne paid tribute to such legends as Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald while singing some of her personal hits as well. Payne started the evening off with her “Lost in Love” single, scatting her way to the finish. Listeners went on a journey through time while Payne shared her story of meeting Lena Horne in her early twenties through Walter Winchell (a famed news reporter at the time). We began at the Coconut Grove, a then-bustling club in Los Angeles where we heard such classics as “Love” and “The Lady Is a Tramp,” just to name a few. Read the rest of the review (with images) here! http://melofinity.blogspot.com/2011/09/freda-payne-legend.html

We are so appreciative of the comments and energy that is being generated on behalf of Madame C.J. Walker and her legacy. As the President & CEO of The Madame Walker Theatre Center, I can assure you that our mission intentionally goes beyond hair care & production. With the help of a strong Board of Directors, we have built upon the entrepreneurial and philanthropic legacy of Madame Walker by celebrating a wide array of cultural, educational, and performing arts in our beautiful historic building. Just this month alone, The Walker will welcome living legend Freda Payne (September 16); Indy’s own opera diva Angela Brown (September 22); and gospel great Deitrick Haddon (September 30). Other upcoming events that are sure to satisfy Central Indiana are: Feel the Dream Tour – Michael Jackson Tribute (October 22); Dance Theatre of Harlem (November 10); and actor, filmmaker, comedian John Waters (November 12). Check out our Website for many more events and activities (www.walkertheatre.com) or follow us on Twitter (@walkertheatre). We thank you again for your interest in Madame C.J. Walker and The Madame Walker Theatre Center! Dr. Terry Whitt Bailey, President & CEO twbailey@walkertheatre.com 317-236-2099

What an awesome summer we have enjoyed! Not that it's over but Fall is certainly knocking on our back doors. We've have quite the ride the past few months with the opening of our exhibition space The Lobby, with the Bilal and Tye Tribbett concerts (read the awesome Nuvo review here), continued success at Jazz on the Avenue and with a completely packed house at Blue Moon Sunday last night! Summer, we have enjoyed you but we're ready for the next season ahead. Join us for a full line-up from Freda Payne's Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald on September 16th through the Black Nativity on December 16th. Keep our calendar bookmarked - there is ALWAYS something going at the Walker!