Kansas kids fight fire with charming musical number

Wed Feb 9, 2011 10:18 AM EST

After yesterday's post about Governor Sam Brownback's executive order eliminating the Kansas Arts Commission, the media students from Lawrence High School sent along their musical salute to the state's 150th Birthday (it was January 29, by the way, but don't worry! There's still plenty of time to celebrate).

Their music video is a tribute to Kansas' Sesquicentennial, sure, but the Lawrence High kids say they also want to "show the value of arts in Kansas!" Full disclosure: Kansas is my home state and Lawrence is my birthplace, so I will admit to a certain pro-Lawrence, Kansas bias. Even setting all that aside, this is the most adorable, teen-hipster update to a 1940s show tune I have ever encountered. So, basically, I was powerless against the Lawrence High kids' request that I blog it.

January 27, 2011: Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Kansas celebrates its 2011 Winter Court and the 150th birthday of the state of Kansas. "Sunflower" (2011) performed by LHS' own the Sesquicentennials and sung by the students. Original music and lyrics by Mack David (1948).

— Filed under: kansas, sam-brownback, sesquicentennial, kansas-day

Cat J

Totally delightful! Sam Brownback's haste to reduce the presence of art in Kansas, and the importance of art in general, can't actually defeat the urge to art! I haven't fact checked this, and if anyone has, please respond--but I have read that Kansas is the ONLY state to completely get rid of its state Arts Commission. BTW, love the 'send a quarter to Sam Brownback' campaign (seems if every person in Kansas would contribute 25 cents we could fund the Kansas Arts Commission)

3 votes

#1 - Wed Feb 9, 2011 11:34 AM EST

Shannoscubie

Brownback supposedly wants to replace it with the Arts Foundation, run at a quarter of the budget and funded by private donations. However:

The executive order takes effect July 1 unless lawmakers vote to overturn it within 60 days.

Arts Commission Chairman Henry Schwaller said he has already discussed that possibility with legislators.

Schwaller worries that the new foundation won’t be eligible for federal funding and that private donors are unlikely to make up the difference.

1 vote

#1.1 - Wed Feb 9, 2011 11:43 AM EST

k N kansas

YEAH LHS!!!! This is cute, but the musical programs at LHS would knock your socks off...great teachers and students who struggle mightily with the cuts to their budget.

1 vote

#2 - Wed Feb 9, 2011 5:39 PM EST

JRTrip

The video makes my Iexplorer shut down

#3 - Wed Feb 9, 2011 7:51 PM EST

Shannoscubie

Try Firefox?

#3.1 - Wed Feb 9, 2011 10:30 PM EST

Jo6Pack

Good job, LHS! I really feel for - not only the children - but all the people of Kansas because we need more beauty in the world, not less.

Take a lesson from Egypt and never, never, never give up! Best wishes.

#4 - Wed Feb 9, 2011 10:17 PM EST

Kansas girl-3042628

Fabulous! Thanks for posting this. Kudos to the Lawrence High students for a great performance and great production.

1 vote

#5 - Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:23 PM EST

ecreaney-3044123

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS! I am one of the 14 winter court candidates in the video and I just want to say thank you. The film class worked so hard to make this video so wonderful and it really shows how incredibly important the arts are to so many Kansas high schoolers. YAY LHS!

1 vote

#6 - Thu Feb 10, 2011 6:42 PM EST

retta backus

Go Lions!!!!!!!!!!

LHB

Lawrence, KS

#7 - Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:48 AM EST

Galadriel-3049719

My son is in this! I am SO PROUD! GO LHS!!! You all did a FANTASTIC job!!

#8 - Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:15 PM EST

Janet the 71 year old sunflower

That was truly uplifting. You can stifle us but you can't stop us. We will art whenever and wherever we wish, Mr. Brownback, with or without your meager monetary support. Shame on you for trying to stop us. Keep going, Kansas...fight the good fight.

Janet- a born and bred Sunflower from Topeka

#9 - Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:38 PM EST

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