I love what Inviting Arkansas magazine editor Kim Meyer-Webber said in her opening statement about AFB’ (Arkansas Flag & Banner) and AFB (Arkansas Festival Ballet)’s collaboration. Even our acronyms are synonymous.
Kim wrote: It is a story of creative collaboration; the arts flourish when access points are readily available and leaders offer undeniable enthusiasm. A philosophy that brings people together for extraordinary experiences begins from an organization’s cultural roots.
Whether it’s a century of service or decades of building a dream …Why do we matter? Remains at the heart of most mission fulfillment work.
A Big Announcement: Dreamland Ballroom Becomes Home to Arkansas Festival Ballet
It is really hard for me to keep a secret. Ask anyone that knows me, and they will tell you I am an open book. That is why I am so glad the July issue of Inviting Arkansas, featuring our exclusive magazine article, has finally dropped.
It has been about a month since our above photo shoot, and I have been keeping the exciting news under wraps: Dreamland Ballroom is now the official performance venue for Arkansas Festival Ballet.
A Day of Synchronicity and Style at Dreamland
It was an unusually hot June morning when we all met in Dreamland to take pictures and play dress up, my favorite childhood game. We were told to bring several changes of clothes and I did not disappoint. I had several looks picked out; 2-long dresses, two pant ensembles, and the flowered dress I wore at son Jack’s wedding, the one in the photo.
Looking at my flowered dress and Trent’s pants, you would have thought we coordinated ahead of time, but we didn’t. The clothes just naturally and harmoniously fell into place making for a beautiful image. But that is not the best part. Even more beautiful is the partnership between my AFB and Rebeccas Stalcup’s AFB that also just naturally and harmoniously fell, perfectly into place.
Merging Passions: Dance, Community, and Cultural Preservation
I’ve spent my life working for a paycheck, building a business, and providing for my family. But now, instead of retiring (something I would suck at), I get to redirect my energy to work on passion projects with my family and friends.
I can think of nothing more satisfying than combining my love of dance with my love of Dreamland. As I shared in the Inviting Arkansas article, “Like me, Rebecca Stalcup has the heart of a teacher and loves to laugh. We support each other. To join our love of ballet, serve our community, and grow friendships is a dream come true for both of us.”
Join us when we kick off our partnership! Come to our Ballet in the Ballroom “Season Reveal Party” in Dreamland from 4-6 pm on August the 6th.
Walking the Beauty Way: A Personal and Spiritual Fulfillment
Like the song, sung by Dreamland’s past performer, Etta James, I feel that “At Last” I’ve finally reached a personal goal, one of “Walking in Beauty”. It’s a Navajo concept of spiritual alignment, where life is lived with respect, balance, and connection to the universe. It is a kind of never-ending spiritual path that lives in my mind and means to align your heart and actions with harmony and sacredness.
Navajo Beauty Way Prayer:
“With beauty before me, I walk.
With beauty behind me, I walk.
With beauty above me, I walk.
With beauty below me, I walk.
With beauty all around me, I walk.
It is finished in beauty. It is finished in beauty.”
About The Author
Kerry McCoy has been in the American flag and banner business for over 50 years, founding Arkansas Flag and Banner in 1975, which has operated as FlagandBanner.com since 1995. Her insights into patriotic trends, and flag sales patterns come from decades of serving customers across America during times of celebration, crisis, and everything in between.
Get Kerry’s latest blog post every week by entering your information under Join Our Mail List in the side bar, checking the appropriate box, and clicking Subscribe. xoxoxo
