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In 1992, founder Gigi Faraci Harris wanted to bring together children of all races, ages and backgrounds to create a safe environment where they could discuss issues that faced them every day and express their feelings through the arts. Using music as the vehicle, The Happiness Club kids began writing about solutions, positive values and change. As it turned out, these children of very different backgrounds were more similar to each other than they were different. They were all concerned about drugs, gangs, violence, smoking and the environment. And they all believed in racial harmony, developing high self-esteem and staying in school. The Happiness Club kids truly embody the values, spirit and ideals portrayed in their show, which is designed to positively influence their peers. Over the past 15 years, The Happiness Club has been led by exceptionally talented individuals--Sasha Gerittson joined the group as Vocal Director in 1995, and became the Artistic Director in 2000. She, along with Choreographer Tanji Harper and Managing Director Diana Basmajian took The Happiness Club to new heights with performances in Paris, the White House, the Park West Theater, the Taste of Chicago, B-96 Summer Bash, Navy Pier and Dance Chicago, to name a few. The Happiness Club currently consists of 40 members and is led by Artistic Director and Choreographer Tanji Harper; Vocal Director Christine Schwartz; Production Manager Justin Butler; and Managing Director Rachel Burton. One of the highlights this year was to collaborate with recording artists Rhymefest, Naledge and Richkiddz on three original songs which the group recorded and performed at the Park West.




	The Happiness Club The Happiness Club, founded in 1992, is a not-for-profit organization encouraging young people, ages 8-18 years old, to embrace positive values through the arts. The Happiness Club musical show is based on its members identifying issues they deem important and expressing their experiences, solutions and feelings through music. In addition to being positive role models in their communities, The Happiness Club kids receive an outstanding performing arts education which helps prepare them to confidently pursue productive futures.

		History In 1992, founder Gigi Faraci Harris wanted to bring together children of all races, ages and backgrounds to create a safe environment where they could discuss issues that faced them every day and express their feelings through the arts. Using music as the vehicle, The Happiness Club kids began writing about solutions, positive values and change. As it turned out, these children of very different backgrounds were more similar to each other than they were different. They were all concerned about drugs, gangs, violence, smoking and the environment. And they all believed in racial harmony, developing high self-esteem and staying in school. The Happiness Club kids truly embody the values, spirit and ideals portrayed in their show, which is designed to positively influence their peers. Over the past 15 years, The Happiness Club has been led by exceptionally talented individuals--Sasha Gerittson joined the group as Vocal Director in 1995, and became the Artistic Director in 2000. She, along with Choreographer Tanji Harper and Managing Director Diana Basmajian took The Happiness Club to new heights with performances in Paris, the White House, the Park West Theater, the Taste of Chicago, B-96 Summer Bash, Navy Pier and Dance Chicago, to name a few. The Happiness Club currently consists of 40 members and is led by Artistic Director and Choreographer Tanji Harper; Vocal Director Christine Schwartz; Production Manager Justin Butler; and Managing Director Rachel Burton. One of the highlights this year was to collaborate with recording artists Rhymefest, Naledge and Richkiddz on three original songs which the group recorded and performed at the Park West.

History