Purple Playground envisions a world where Prince’s legacy of
positivity and giving continues in perpetuity.
We formed our 501(c)3 nonprofit fan-based group to honor Prince’s legacy and inspire as he did - with funds from our events used to create our tuition free Academy of Prince music program for teens.
MUSIC VIDEO "Purple Playground"
We raise our funds through donations, free and low cost events, and fan created merchandise. Sponsorship opportunities welcome.
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ACADEMY OF PRINCE
Purple Playground’s Academy of Prince music program welcomes musical teens. At Academy of Prince they learn Prince history and write and record their own songs, with help from teachers, guest speakers and musicians who worked with him. We aim to raise self-confidence and support mental health. The two week program begins in mid-June at Urban Ventures where students will collaborate to write songs and interact with guest speakers. The second week we move to High School for Recording Arts in St. Paul, where we will continue creating songs and record in their professional studio. We will also incorporate performance and dance. Students may attend for one week or two. Tuition is free but we request a fundraising goal of $299 per student.
We also host Saturday Songs in the afternoon during the school year at High School For Recording Arts. Contact: Willie Adams about enrollment.
Guest speakers have included:
Mark Bonde, longtime Prince fan and motivational speaker and host of Paisley Nights podcast; Andrea Swennson, Prince historian, host of the Local Show on 89.3 the Current, and author of “Got To Be Something Here: The Rise of the Minneapolis Sound.” and "Purple Rain;" PaviElle French, actor, neo-soul singer and composer; Bobby Z Rivkin, Revolution band member, music producer; “Dr” Matt Fink, Revolution band member, founder and director of artist relations at Mymymusic.com;Jon Bream, author and Minneapolis Star Tribune music writer since 1974; St. Paul Peterson, The Family, The Mpls Funk AllStars; Jellybean Johnson, guitarist, producer and The Time drummer; Jim Walsh - author of Gold Experience, musician and people appreciator; Terry Jackson - percussionist from Prince's first band, Grand Central; PaviElle French - Twin Cities powerhouse vocalist
Education Director: Willie Adams
Executive Director: Heidi Vader
Music Director: Elisa Fiorillo
Music Director: Adrian Crutchfield
More about Academy of Prince on these Videos and Podcasts:
VIDEO: The Purple Playground Experience
"I finally saw the switch flip for my daughter today – the one where she feels confident in who she is and what she is doing. She was so animated and excited on the way home. The love and support from all the adults at camp have had such an impact on her. Thank you for all of your hard work to make this happen. Daily tears from the mama watching all of this unfold."
Academy of Prince mom
"Academy of Prince, High School for Recording Arts. Put together by the nonprofit Purple Playground, this inaugural weeklong program taught teens about Prince, the Minneapolis Sound and songwriting. The students wrote and recorded original songs, with help in the studio from Purple pros Bobby Z, Matt Fink and Jellybean Johnson. The songs were quite impressive. Can’t wait for the downloads."
Jon Bream, Minneapolis Star Tribune
PURPLE PLAYGROUND
Working Towards a Brighter Future
A space to free urself and live Prince's legacy of love4one another and positivity.
Raising funds for kids' music education to keep it funky.
PRESS and EVENTS
Nick Nurse Discovers
Game Winning Beneficiary for his Paisley Park Gala
FINDERS OF THE FUNK
WILLIE ADAMS
Board Member, Education Director
“I’m excited to bring my passion for education and purple funk to Purple Playground’s mission and keep the beautiful and precious legacy of Prince alive for generations.”
Willie is an educator, DJ, and vocalist from the San Francisco Bay Area. He studied the music of Prince and the “Minneapolis Sound” intensively since the 1980’s. From 1991-1996 he was a prominent college radio DJ and music director at KUCI FM in Irvine CA. While living in England, Willie was the voice for all the UK radio adverts for the Emancipation album in 1996-97.
He is the Co-founder of the fan group Purple Funk SF and served as a history and humanities teacher, counselor, and dean of students. He has also taught and lectured at the University of California Monterey and he’s created and ran enrichment programs for underserved youth.
“This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.”
Academy of Prince
NOTE: We are created for fams, by fams, and “the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson is not affiliated, associated, or connected with Purple Playground, nor has it endorsed or sponsored Purple Playground. Further, the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson has not licensed any of its intellectual property to Purple Playground.”