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Looking to get out of the city this weekend? Maybe you want a chance to take a break from the bustling city and take on some new explorations. If so, make your way over to the White Plains Barnes and Noble located at 230 Main Street to attend Misty Copeland’s book signing this Sunday September 13th at 2pm.

misty copeland

Photo: Courtesy of Mistycopeland.com

Misty Copeland is the first African American principal dancer to tour with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) and was named one of Time Magazine’s “100 most influential people in 2015.” In being the first African American to tour with ABT, Misty Copeland is revolutionary, embodying the idea that dance is a continually progressing and diverse art form.

Copeland was born in Kansas City, Missouri. She began her dance career at the age of thirteen at the San Pedro City Ballet in California. At a young age she also won the Music Center Spotlight Awards. In her career, she has faced a great deal of racial adversities, but has learned to overcome them.

“Success is not easy and I think everyone should know that hard work and perseverance and being open to giving back are so much more powerful than stepping all over people to get to the top,” she states.

The dancer will be signing her children’s book entitled, “Fire Bird,” which was published on September 4th 2014. This book helps children to fight adversity through illustrations by Christopher Myers so that they too can become strong like a “fire bird.” She has also written a best-selling memoir, Life In Motion. 

The funds raised at the book signing will go towards the Greenwich Ballet Academy.

Interested in seeing Copeland living the art form? She will be performing in various ABT shows throughout the rest of the year; more info can be found on her website. 

-by Samantha Rice

Downtown Magazine