CIRCUIT PRODUCTIONS: Promoting Education in Music, Dance and the Performing Arts

About CPI

Charlie 'Cookie' Cook and Susan Goldbetter tapping on stage

Circuit Productions Inc. (CPI), was founded by Susan Goldbetter (on right performing with Charlie "Cookie" Cook) in 1986 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, production and preservation of the uniquely American art forms of jazz and tap dance. Our mission is to inspire, entertain and educate underserved audiences in New York through performances, public classes, workshops, and arts education programs featuring senior artists of color who are living legends of the city's rich tap and jazz history. Annually, Circuit provides booking and management services for senior and emerging artists; placing performers in museums, libraries, community-based organizations, local colleges, public schools, and hospitals.

The organization presents senior artists of color, most between 60 and 80 years old, in a broad range of cultural activities that include inter-generation performances, master classes, and community outreach programs. In addition, CPI provides these artists with managerial and professional services including bookings, fund raising, and personal management.

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Executive Director's Corner

Happy holidays to those near and far, from all of us at Circuit Productions!!

Many of you know that Circuit Productions promotes, preserves and produces the music and movement that form the uniquely American art forms of jazz and tap dance. You also know that our community arts programs help to instill cultural pride and historical awareness in a new generation. You know it because for the past 20 years, you’ve shared the magic of our music and dance performances, participated in our workshops and celebrated New York’s dynamic cultural history with us.

Now we have something new to celebrate: Yes, even in the current economic landscape! Both the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts recognize Circuit’s outstanding work and has awarded us grants for 2009 to fund our top-notch dance and music performances.

The grants, with your matching funds, will help make possible our Blues and Jazz Heritage Series and Rhythm Journeys: Masters of World Music and Dance bringing free events to new audiences city-wide. We thank you for helping us achieve so much during the past season.

Among our many recent accomplishments, we successfully

• Donated scrapbooks of Charles Cook to the Schomburg Collection at NYPL;
• Implemented programs to 10,000 children and their families city-wide;
• Assisted producing Harlem Blues and Jazz Band and Senior Lucky Blues Band
• Received awards including the Tap City Preservation, New York State Music Fund grant and the Tradition in Tap Award
• Increased our Extended Day programs to an additional 350 students in schools, museums and libraries throughout the borough of Brooklyn; and
• Referred senior and emerging artists jobs as performers and teachers locally.

We’re calling on you now to help us match our grant and meet the fiscal challenges of 2009! You can be part of preserving and promoting the cultural legacy of jazz, blues and tap dance while encouraging a new blues and world music and dance audience for the 21st century. Help us continue our work with senior and emerging artists by contributing $25, $50, $150, $250, or more – sustaining these vital arts for the future.

As always, we thank you for your continued support.

May your holidays be filled with Joy, Peace, Rhythm and Swing!

Susan Goldbetter
Executive Director

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Make a difference, and support the arts.

Circuit Productions is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible.

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