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indianapolisrecorder.com Arts & Culture AfiSection Friday, May 9, 2025MARTIN UNIVERSITYKICKOFF RECEPTION13MAY5:30 PM- 7:30 PMSCAN THE QR CODEBIPOC SUMMIT20253RD ANNUALATTENTION:MARTIN UNIVERSITYBIPOC SUMMIT14MAY8:00 AM- 4:00 PMEach organization may register upto two individuals who holdleadership roles within theorganization.Black and Indigenous People ofColor (BIPOC) leaders ofgrassroots organizations based inMarion CountyREGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!3rd Annual BIPOCCommunityEmpowermentSummit forGrassrootsOrganizationsMAY 14, 2025, WEDNESDAYMARTIN UNIVERSITY2186 N SHERMAN DR,INDIANAPOLIS, IN 462188:00 A.M. %u2013 4:00 P.M.SAVE THE DATEResilient Roots,Powerful Futures:StrengtheningCommunities forLasting ImpactTHEME:chloegm@indyrecorder.comBy CHLOE McGOWAN%u00a0The Performing Arts Conservatory%u2019s (TPAC) senior showcase is highlighting the sounds of the 70s this summer.The African American youth arts program is hosting its last showcase of its 13th season, %u201c70%u2019s Retro Rhythm: How We Got Our Groove Back!%u201d The showcase highlights what the students have learned through performances on June 15 at Arts for Lawrence.%u201cOur goal is to always help students in that age group pull all four of those (performing) art disciplines together to work together as a team,%u201d said Bridget Townsend, co-founder and executive director of TPAC. %u201cIt%u2019s really teaching them skills on discipline but also understanding how what you do impacts another teen, and so we all work together to produce a really amazing production.%u201dCreated by Bridget and Robert Townsend, TPAC is cultivated around youth development and has come alongside young Black artists in the community since 2012. TPAC programming runs August through June for students grades 6-12, and covers all four performing arts disciplines: vocal, instrumental, dance and drama.%u00a0The showcases at the end of each season, however, are designed to demonstrate to parents and supporters the growth during the season.Everything their students learn is designed to advance their artistic skills and also show them how to work together as a team and prepare them for other areas of their lives %u2014 such as college programs, job interviews or even cooking classes, Bridget Townsend said.%u201cIt adds extra flavor to the lives of these students %u2026 we find that it goes beyond the performing arts and just our organization,%u201d Bridget Townsend said. %u201cWe like to say we%u2019re a small organization producing big results but %u2026 the goal here is total youth development and how can we enhance these lives so that they become amazing adults.%u201dEach year, the senior students are tasked with selecting the theme and name of the season closer based on their current interests and what messaging they want to deliver, Bridget Townsend said. This year, the students have chosen the music of the 1970s.%u201c70%u2019s Retro Rhythm: How We Got Our Groove Back!%u201d comes in response to the students feeling like they lost their luster after the pandemic, Bridget Townsend said. The showcase features lively, upbeat and fun musical performances, including artists such as The Dramatics, Kool & The Gang, Aretha Franklin and Sly and the Family Stone.%u201cI knew that I wanted to do something that had bold sound,%u201d Shortridge High School senior Cerista Johnson said. %u201cI%u2019m just happy that I%u2019m able to do something that I got to pick. Previous seniors got to pick the show, and I always wanted to be able to have that experience.%u201dFor her last showcase, Johnson said she wanted to feature %u201crich and cultural music,%u201d though she didn%u2019t know that would be 70s at first.%u00a0Johnson joined TPAC in sixth grade, discovering her love of music through her church%u2019s choir. She grew up on The Temptations and Gladys Knight and other %u201coldies,%u201d so when the senior students came together as a collective, Johnson said 70s had that bold sound she was looking to express.%u201cA lot of music where we are today, present music, is representative of the past. Like, Beyonce and a lot of big pop stars, this is where their music originated from,%u201d Johnson said. %u201cI knew that this was gonna be my last show, so I wanted to go out and represent and go out with a bang but also honor where I came from.%u201dThe showcase features a lot of medleys throughout the 70s, from Philly Sound to Motown, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5.However, the music of the 70s is not as simple as it sounds, and can often be very difficult, Robert Townsend said. Audiences can expect to see %u2014 and hopefully appreciate %u2014 how the students not only learned the harmonies in various types of songs but also studied different genres of music and art disciplines.%u00a0%u201cThese are often not taught a lot of other places, and as a part of our culture, I think it%u2019s important for us to continue to share our culture,%u201d Robert Townsend said. %u201cWe are an oral people, so this is like a perfect way to do it.%u201dBeing able to step into a room and say, %u201cYes, I can sing opera, I can sing gospel,%u201d is super important and opens the doors for more opportunities as an artist, Johnson added. %u201cThat%u2019s what I%u2019ve learned throughout TPAC, and I%u2019m very grateful for everything that I%u2019ve learned here.%u201d%u201c70%u2019s Retro Rhythm: How We Got Our Groove Back!%u201d Takes place at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on June 15 at the Theatre at the Fort at Arts for Lawrence, 8920 Otis Ave. Tickets are $15 in advance, For more information, visit www.tpacindy.org.%u00a0%u00a0%u00a0%u00a0Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.Youth summer showcase highlights songs of 70sThe Performing Arts Conservatory%u2019s summer showcase, %u201c70%u2019s Retro Rhythm: How We Got Our Groove Back!%u201d takes place June 15 at Arts for Lawrence. (Photos provided/Bridget Townsend)