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All Black & Excellent: Soul In The City featuring Star Dixon
is an immersive live event and Fundriaser (with our Community Partner Village99) that is designed to draw you into a night of tap dance, black history, arts, and community. Our mission is to bring the community together (and even reach out to neighboring communities) to share space, time, education, love for music, tap dance, and to celebrate black excellence. We can’t move forward without recognizing where we came from and honor those that paved the way before us.
The event will be headlined by our tap master Star Dixon and will also include a live band, a DJ, and hip hop performers. Our entertainment isn’t the only thing that will bring you in – we also have delicious catered food from local partners, a cash bar, and dancing. The dress code is “dress to impress” – this evening is an opportunity to bring some glamor and style to Grand Rapids.
THIS YEARS GUEST ARTISTS
STAR DIXON
Starinah “Star” Dixon is a highly talented tap and African dance artist from the South Side of Chicago. Influenced by her brother, Brill, a professional tap dancer and community activist, Starr developed a deep connection to rhythm and movement from an early age. She honed her craft through MADD Rhythms, a Chicago-based tap dance collective, and has since become a powerful ambassador for tap dance history and culture. Known for her unique musicality, commanding presence, and deep commitment to education, she inspires the next generation by teaching and mentoring young dancers. Starr’s artistry bridges tradition and innovation, making her a vital voice in the world of dance.
Guest Tap Artist
LishaBLive
Alisha Brown, professionally known as Lisha B, is a media connoisseur. Born and raised in the Washington D.C., area, she fell in love with music and being in front of the camera. Growing up in church & school choirs, it was destined for her to be a part of the music industry. In March 2019, Lisha created her own lane with the launch of a podcast, The Lituation Room Podcast. She grew the platform to 15+ countries, traction with labels, such as Warner Music, and over 3,000 downloads. After her time as the local producer for the syndicated morning show, Russ Parr Morning Show, Lisha B is the afternoon host of The Afternoon Lituation on Magic 104.9, the number 1 station for hip-hop in Grand Rapids, Michigan She also has a #1 rated show on 105.1 The Block, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Lisha B has appeared on MSNBC as a guest correspondent for the Symone Sanders show and has interviewed many notable people, such as Musiq Soulchild and Vice President Kamala Harris. Lisha B strives to continue being a popular media personality, strong working woman, and entrepreneur.
Master of Ceremonies
WITY ZALDIVAR
More about Witty Zaldivar To Come!
Music Director
Yuriana
More about Yuriana to Come!
Singer & Drummer
TROY CEASER
More about Troy to come
LIVE DJ
JA'LEEYNA DOOLEY
More about Ja'Leeyna to come!
Singer
RAMIR WEIR
Ramir has been a dedicated member of Over The Top’s Summer Theater program since its inception in 2021. His impressive performance credits include Timon in Lion King Kids, Maui in Moana Jr., Marty in Madagascar Jr., and Whickersham #3 in Seussical Jr.. Beyond the summer stage, Ramir continues to develop his craft through the studio’s Musical Theatre Performance Class and Tap/Jazz Combo classes. His passion for performing and commitment to growth make him a standout young artist in the Over The Top community.
Student Performer
WHAT ARE WE FUNDRAISING FOR?
Every summer, Over The Top Academy of Dance proudly hosts our Annual Summer Theater Camp, a unique and enriching opportunity for young artists in the Grand Rapids area. This “pay-to-play” camp spans five weeks, running four days a week for six hours each day. Participants immerse themselves in the magic of theater by learning and performing a one-hour musical. Over the past four years, our Summer Theater Camp has grown significantly in both enrollment and quality, showcasing productions such as The Lion King Kids, Disney’s Moana Jr., DreamWorks Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr., and Seussical Jr.
At Over The Top, we believe a quality performance fosters a quality education. Our program includes professional-grade costumes, props, sets, a theater venue, dedicated staff, and the invaluable support of parent volunteers. But what truly sets our camp apart is the "so much more" it offers: leadership skills, communication abilities, confidence, lasting friendships, a sense of community, and a safe space for self-expression. Many young artists return year after year, not just for the theatrical experience but for these transformative life skills.
This year, we are turning All Black & Excellent into a fundraising initiative to make this experience accessible to every aspiring performer. Our goal is to raise at least $35,000 to fund scholarships and provide essential amenities for our camp. With your support, we can ensure that financial barriers do not prevent any young artist from participating in this magical journey.
It truly takes a village to raise the curtain, and we invite you to join us in supporting these talented young individuals and their families. By contributing, you become part of a community dedicated to fostering creativity and growth in the arts.
Donor Recognition Levels:
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Bronze Donors: $100 - $1,499
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Silver Donors: $1,500 - $4,999
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Gold Donors: $5,000 - $9,999
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Platinum Donors: $10,000 - $49,999
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Diamond Donors: $50,000+
Your generosity will directly impact the lives of young artists, helping them develop skills and create memories that last a lifetime. Together, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to shine on stage and beyond.
With a special thanks to our community partners at TheVillage99, we so grateful to make it easier than ever to Donate to Over The Top Academy of Dance's Scholarship Fund.
TheVillages99's "mission is to empower champions by developing a sustainable and innovative network of community partnerships that identifies needs, focuses on simplifying access to resources, and facilitates intentional connections for families in West Michigan."
"Some families struggle to afford club and travel fees, some struggle getting their student-athletes to and from practice and games, and others struggle with providing adequate nourishment to give their student-athlete the energy they need to participate. Coaches were fostering these needs and beyond for multiple players on their teams at a time, and so The Village99 was born"