Street photo of zumba dance

Cinco de Mayo celebration, downtown Emporia, Kansas

HOTT – Hispanics of Today & Tomorrow, HOTT, is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1998. The organization’s mission is to preserve the Hispanic heritage for future generations, strengthen the bridges of communication and understanding among all diverse cultures, ensure Hispanic participation in the mainstream, bridge the community and work together to help the Hispanic community. Video by Dave Leiker, May 2024

frame from video featuring a portrait of Mary White and a quote from William Allen White essay.

A Father’s Words, commemorating the life of Mary White, daughter of journalist, William Allen White.

On May 17, 1921, William Allen White published the editorial he hoped never to write. The editorial tribute to his deceased 16-year-old daughter moved readers across America for over 30-years after her death. This interpretive reading of the widely published editorial commemorates the centennial of a father’s loving words for a remarkable young woman, Mary White. Emporia, Kansas – May 2021

Rancher feeding horses in the snow

Winter Ranching in the Flint Hills

When the cold winds of winter sweep across the Flint Hills livestock require special care. Photographed by Dave Leiker, featuring rancher Ryan Arndt at his Kansas ranch.

Music in this video
Song: Settler’s Waltz
Artist Gary Remal Malkin
Album: The Music of the Great Smoky Mountains
Licensed to YouTube by: AWAL Digital Limited (Kobalt) (on behalf of Real Music); ARESA, and 5 Music Rights Societies

Black and white study of Kevin Rabas playing percussion

Kevin Rabas, Jazz Poet

Kevin Rabas is an American poet, professor. jazz musician and Poet Laureate of Kansas from 2017-2019. Photography and video: Dave Leiker Words and music: Kevin Rabas Recorded January 2020, copyright Kevin Rabas 2020

Frame from The Beauty and the Grit, man and woman talking over coffee

The Beauty and the Grit

Kevin Rabas: Writer / Director Dennis Turney: Jr., Assistant Director Dave Leiker: Videography, Lighting, Editing Seth Cuppy: Sound Actors: Tyler Lindquist and Taylor Bisbee Filmed in Emporia, Kansas – July 2021

Poet, playing percussion by railroad tracks at night

Kevin Rabas, Street Poems

Experiments in public arts, dance, poetry…. video by Dave Leiker March 2021

Low key portrait of the poet, Linzi Garcia

Linzi Garcia, House of Joy

Poet Linzi Garcia reads selections from her “House of Joy” project. 

revised 2024

Photo of the musicians in performance

Kevin Rabas – Pandemic Poetry – Boxcars

Improvisational poetry with djembe and Ramiro Miranda on violin

Horse in front of white barn at dawn

Branding Day at the Sauble Ranch

Cedar Point, Kansas – Photography by Dave Leiker

Black and white study of Kevin Rabas playing percussion

The 2015 Dirty Kanza 200

The world’s premiere endurance gravel road race

Cowboys on horseback during a cattle drive in morning fog

Foggy Morning Cattle Drive Slideshow

Recorded in the Flint Hills of Kansas near the Bazaar cattle pens in May of 2010. Cowboys featured are the Ryan Arndt crew. Photographed by Dave Leiker
Musicians performing in casual studio

Djembe and Violin Improvisation

Improvisational duet featuring Kevin Rabas on djimbe and Ramiro Miranda on violin.

Recorded by Dave Leiker, July 2020

Musicians performing in casual studio

Faces of Emporia

Portraits taken for the “Faces of Emporia” mural in downtown Emporia, Kansas. 

The Faces of Emporia community mural was organized to illustrate and
celebrate the diverse population in Emporia and is a collaborative effort with photographer Dave Leiker, Emporia First Friday and the Community Arts Alliance.

Mark Valentine, holding clock invention

Time Squared

Featuring inventor, Mark Valentine
Recorded 2020
Videography: Dave Leiker & Kevin Rabas
Angie Morales Garcia

HOTT Scholarship Opportunity 2024

This video calls awareness to scholarship opportunities available to Hispanic students in EHS (Emporia High School, Kansas). H.O.T.T. is Hispanics of Today & Tomorrow. Featuring Angie Morales Garcia Recorded Feb 2024 Video by Dave Leiker
Emporia First Friday Art Walk


Emporia First Friday Art Walk

This is sample video from the Emporia Community Foundation’s Match Day event, 2023
 

Mission: The mission of Emporia First Friday is to promote cultural growth by connecting artists to the community.
Videography / editing: Dave Leiker
Drinkwater Shriver Mill

Ghost Towns of Chase County Kansas Panel

Community members share memories of small-town life in local ghost (and not) towns for the 150th birthday celebration of the Chase County Courthouse. 
Derrick Doty, giving prairie talk

Kansas’ Music History by Derrick Doty

This is one of the Pioneer Bluffs praire talks featuring storytelling and performance, including a piece on Henry Rogler’s fiddle, recorded in the main barn on 14 October

Sponsored by Humanities Kansas