Andrew Elkins Day: David Shaw

Each year the Andrew Clayton Elkins Memorial Fund for the Creative Arts allows Newman to invite a performing artist to the school to share their creative work with our students through performance or creative workshops.

 

Andrew Elkins was an artist, a painter, a Comic Book Creator, a journalist, a newspaper editor, an actor, a stand-up comedian, a filmmaker and a proud Newman Greenie. He radiated enthusiasm, confidence, and curiosity. He loved to express himself creatively and then share his art with his family, friends, and the Newman community.

 

When he passed away in the fall of his third-grade year, the Elkins family wanted to carry on his legacy in a way that captured his joyous spirit and set up the Andrew Elkins Memorial Fund to spark joy and ignite the imagination of Newman students.

 

This school year marks the 30th anniversary of Andrew's passing. To celebrate his memory, and this important milestone, Newman welcomed David Shaw and his solo band to Henson Auditorium on April 1 for two special performances. David is the lead singer and co-founder of The Revivalists - a platinum-selling, Billboard No. 1, American rock band from New Orleans. The Revivalists have headlined Jazzfest, sold out Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and toured around the world.

 

From the moment Shaw stepped onto the stage with his solo band, Lower, Middle, and Upper School students jumped out of their seats to dance and sing along with the talented musicians.

 

“Each one of you is dancing like no one is watching. Don’t ever lose that quality,” Shaw said in earnest. “It’s an expression of yourself and I promise that it will take you very far in life. Lean into the things that make you, you.”