Join us for an extraordinary celebration honoring Mr. Parks’ distinguished career, in partnership with the New Tampa Performing Arts Center. The event will commence with a welcoming reception, featuring light bites and drinks, offering guests a wonderful opportunity to socialize and celebrate with exclusive guests.
This will be followed by an inspiring program that includes keynote speakers, captivating dance performances, and a special film presentation celebrating Mr. Parks’ exceptional contributions and influence.
We encourage attendees to pre-register here to help us provide the best possible experience. While the event is free to attend, donations are welcomed and appreciated to support future initiatives. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to celebrate and honor an arts visionary. Register now to secure your place at this unforgettable event. You can donate at Dance Tampa Bay (John Parks LAAC)!
John Parks, a native of New York City, began his dance studies at the age of five. He completed his formal training at the Mary Bruce Dance School, Syvilla Fort Dance Studio, High School of Performing Arts, The Juilliard School, Jacob’s Pillow Teachers Workshop, New Dance Group, Clark Center, and the American Dance Festival. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Parks trained and performed with numerous renowned artists and companies, including Alvin Ailey, José Limón, Donald McKayle, Anna Sokolow, Pearl Primus, Percival Borde, Mary Anthony, Eleo Pomare, Ruth Currier, Rod Rodgers, Sun Ock Lee, Louis Johnson, Martha Clarke, Babatunde Olatunji, Nina Popova, Joan Miller, June Dunbar, Chuck Davis, Lucas Hoving, Alfredo Corvino, Billie Kirpitch, Norman Walker, and many others. He served as assistant to the choreographer, dance captain, and performer in the seven Tony Award–winning Broadway production, The Wiz. Before joining the Alvin Ailey Company, Parks founded his own company, Movements Black Dance Repertory Theatre, dedicated to the Civil Rights and Pan-African movements. Parks has performed, taught, and lectured throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Africa, and China. Before relocating to Tampa, Florida, to accept a teaching position at the University of South Florida (USF), he directed, choreographed, and produced works for both theater and community organizations. For over 30 years, he has been a valued faculty member at USF, in addition to collaborating with community arts organizations such as Taproot, Inkwell, and the Arts Legacy Program at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Currently, Mr. Parks is dedicated to promoting dance and the arts as a healing modality through his work with the International Arts + Mind Lab of the Brain Science Institute at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Currently his work is on display at the Whitney Museum and New York Library Public Digital Collection, New York, NY.
****Exclusive guest lists include the first Bond girl, Trina Parks and former Alvin Ailey dancers. Blake Performing Arts High School, Dyane Harvey Salaam, Tampa Arts Alliance, St. Pete Arts Alliance, and Fred Johnson to perform and speak along with a film from Mad Bear Productions.