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NEGRO ENSEMBLE COMPANY IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE ALUMNI OF THE NEC PRESENTS AWARD WINNING PLAYWRIGHT LAYON GRAY’S “WEBEIME,” AT THE HARLEM SCHOOL OF THE ARTS –PREVIEWS BEGIN MARCH 28, 2008 – OPENING APRIL 5, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  MARCH --2008

NEW YORK:

The prestigious Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) (Charles Weldon, Artistic Director), is pleased to announce the NEC premiere of WEBEIME, by award winning playwright Layon Gray.

Also directed and choreographed by Gray, WEBEIME is a critically acclaimed, award winning production that is part Spoken Word and part Choreopoem, with evocative Motown pieces in between.

Offering something for everyone, it previews at The Harlem School of The Arts (645 St. Nicholas Avenue -- between 141 & 145 Streets) on Friday, March 28^th (7:30 PM). It officially opens Saturday, April 5^th at 7:30 PM.

WEBEIME is the portrayal of one man’s coming to terms with the repercussions of the decisions that he has made in life before the inevitable happens. With little time on his side, he searches his soul for inner peace and his mind wanders back down the road that put him in his current predicament. A beautifully written story, WEBEIME takes its audience on a journey filled with emotional ebbs and flows that eventually leads to a dramatic climax sure to move even the most stoic audience. Gray explores universal themes such as abuse and family violence with an eloquence usually reserved for the most seasoned of playwrights. This piece has played to sold-out audiences in Los Angeles and North Carolina at the National Black Theatre Festival, where theatres from around the country fought for the rights to produce the play. THEATRE CORPS NY touts WEBEIME as “…a warrior cry after the bloody battle has been fought and survived- ‘Gripping, unforgettable and deeply profound.” …NY THEATRE says it is, “Poetry in motion- you simply have to see it to get it. There were tears on and off stage- tears came to my eyes.” 

Layon Gray is a successful playwright with a number of artistic awards under his belt, including the coveted NAACP Award for Theatre Achievement for his play “The Girls of Summer.” Quickly gaining recognition as one of the hardest working artists in the Los Angeles area, he has been rewarded with loyal audiences for his efforts in keeping African American theatre alive and thriving. Having created the Los Angeles African American Repertory Company in 2003, the theatre has been responsible for continuing to provide provocative work exploring life from the Black perspective. Unapologetic about writing through the prism of a particular cultural lens, his plays are embraced by all races and nationalities because of the honest exploration of universal themes together with his eclectic directing and choreographing skills.

The NEC is no stranger to producing powerfully written and directed plays, such as A Soldier’s Play, written by Charles Fuller (who won the Pulitzer Prize for that groundbreaking production) and directed by Douglas Turner Ward,; The River Niger by Joe Walker, a Tony Award Winner and Tony nominated Playwrights Samm Art Williams and Leslie Lee.

Tickets and Group Sales for WEBEIME are available through Ticket Central (212) 279-4200, and online at www.ticketcentral.com and www.NECINC.org. 

For more information contact Beverly Summers/McKenya Dilworth at (212) 582-5860 or nectheatr@...

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MEDIA CONTACT: Charles E. Rogers – 718-774-1563 / 646-644-5533  - RAM2cam@...

Jazz Studies Upcoming events

The Center for Jazz Studies is pleased to announce three upcoming events in the month of March. We invite your participation in these exciting programs.   Tickets for any of these events are available online at tic.columbia.edu or at the Ticket and Information Center in Lerner Hall lobby       Columbia University Center for Jazz Studies Presents ************************************************************************ Adoration of the Melody A Tribute to Ruby Braff   featuring Warren Vaché, Howard Alden, Bucky Pizzarelli and Nicki Parrott   Beginning with a pre-concert interview with Mr. Vaché and Mr. Alden by Professor Robert G. O’Meally   Tuesday, March 25, 2008 8:00 pm   St. Paul ’s Chapel 117th Street  @ Amsterdam Avenue on the Columbia University Morningside Campus   co-sponsored by Music at St. Paul ’s   The Columbia/Harlem Jazz Project is presented in association with Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group with generous support from the New York State Music Fund   Admission: $10 / $7 for students/seniors ************************************************************************ Where You Come From Is Where You Go: A Jazz Conversation with Christopher Dell, Vijay Iyer, Matana Roberts, Michael Schiefel Moderated by Prof. Wolfram Knauer   Thursday March 27, 2008 7:30 pm Columbia   University 116th Street a nd Amsterdam Ave. 301 Philosophy Hall   Admission: Free   This event is presented in association with the Goethe-Institut New York ************************************************************************ D.R.A. in concert   featuring Christopher Dell (vibraphone), Christian Ramond (bass), Felix Astor (drums)    Friday March 28, 2008 7:00 pm     Goethe-Institut New York 1014 Fifth Avenue @ 83rd Street   Admission: Free, please RSVP at tic.columbia.edu   This event is presented in association with the Goethe-Institut New York ************************************************************************  Tickets for any of these events are available online at tic.columbia.edu or at the Ticket and Information Center in Lerner Hall lobby   The Center will be announcing additional exciting events in April and May.   For more information, visit our website at www.jazz.columbia.edu or call the Center at 212.851.1633  .................... New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest is accepting scripts through June 30, 2008 for new works that:   1) Enhance self-realization 2) Support peace and social justice 3) Foster new understanding of minority issues that focus on racial, ethnic and gender discrimination both in the United States and abroad 4) Empower youth to build healthy inner foundations 5) Educate to gain further insight into healthy social/emotional living 6) Shed new light on religious, spiritual, and cultural differences and issues 7) Build respect for cultural expression and identity in a world that is experiencing rapid globalization 8) Explore the widening gap between the values this country was founded on and the values we present to the world today   For Guidelines and Application Form:  www.PlaywritingContest.cjb.net   As a direct result of work performed by the staff of the New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest:  2 scripts were published in Best American Short Plays by Applause Books. 4 scripts received an 8 week production in NYC 2007 2nd prize play has just been offered a NYC production 1 script received a development workshop in NYC 16 scripts received a reading in NYC 1 playwright is a playwright-in-residence in a NYC theatre   *** For detailed information, scroll to the bottom of www.PlaywritingContest.cjb.net and click on the Contest Winners link.   Since January 2002, Sandra Nordgren, the founder of the contest, has been responsible for the offering of over 150 readings, 35 productions, 16 development workshops, and two theater playwriting residencies, all in New York City at no cost to the playwright.        As writers, we have been given a precious gift. Let us use that gift to create powerful, heartfelt new works that not only entertain, but also educate, enlighten and uplift humanity.   You were recommended for this group by either requesting to be a member or through a recommendation from a colleague or industry professional. Please note that your information and email address will not be shared with anyone and that you will receive no more than 4 emails a year.  If you wish to be removed from this list, simply write Unsubscribe in the Subject line and upon receipt, your email address will be promptly deleted.     We look forward to receiving your script!   Sincerely, The Literary Staff New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest www.PlaywritingContest.cjb.net  .................... Renting or Buying Space in NYC? Only for Established Arts Organizations   —— April 3, 2008, 6 – 8 PM ———   If you are an established arts organization in NYC and are contemplating either renting or buying a larger space, this is the right workshop for you. Led by Sarah Eisinger of Denham Wolf Real Estate Services, the workshop covers an overview of current NYC real estate market and realities for arts organizations; key considerations for organizations contemplating a project: renting vs. buying, and nuts and bolts about finding the right real estate.   About Denham Wolf Real Estate Services   Denham Wolf is a real estate consulting and development firm that specializes in representing the not-for-profit sector.  Founded in 1998, the company has worked with more than 125 organizations to plan, acquire, and develop in excess of a million square feet of space.   Location: Harlem Arts Alliance (UMEZ building) 290 Lenox Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10027 By subway: 125th (2, 3 train)   Attendance is free but RSVP is required: Send an email with your contact information to artbusinessinitiative@... or call us at (646) 843-6510. You need to hear back from us to complete the RSVP process.   This workshop is part of the Seedco Financial’s ArtBusiness Initiative and the Harlem Arts Alliance’s workshop series.   Seedco Financial is a nonprofit community development financial institution that offers technical assistance and below market-rate loans to community organizations, nonprofits, and businesses in economically distressed communities. Since February 2005, the ArtBusiness Initiative has disbursed over $4.6 million in loans and worked with more than 450 arts groups in New York City. ....................    at   2537 Broadway at 95th (One block from the 1, 2 & 3)     featuring NYC premiere of RITMO Capoeira Mestre Jelon Vieira 's homage to Capoeira and the Sambas of Bahia ...with the vibrant full company of dancers, Capoeiristas and musicians. With original music by Tote Gira.     Tickets on sale now! $50-$15     The 2008 season is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts; public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency; the Altria Group, Inc.; The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation; and The Lila Acheson Wallace Theater Fund for Dance; the Consulate General of Brazil, New York, NY.     Based on the tradition and the power of CAPOEIRA the African-Brazilian Art Form. (A fight like a dance - A dance like a fight) DanceBrazil-sneak preview: www.reels4artists.com/dancebrazil2008.html       TO ORDER TICKETS 212.864.5400 www.symphonyspace.org    ....................     A Theme Song Competition - Breaking the Silence to Abuse     A THEME SONG COMPETITION "BREAKING THE SILENCE IN SONG" Deadline to Enter: March 26, 2008 BREAKING THE SILENCE IN SONG is a theme song competition created by Women Who Jam! to bring more awareness to the fight against domestic violence. Presented by NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence) and NABFEME, this competition also provides an opportunity for aspiring and established singers and songwriters to have their creative works heard by influential decision-makers in the music and entertainment industry. THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE! Join the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment and our partners in the charge to end domestic violence!! There is no excuse for abuse and ignoring domestic violence won't make it go away! We encourage all singers, songwriters, producers, artists, music executives -- use your talent and creativity to support the fight against domestic violence. Create a theme song that will help to raise the awareness of the plight against Domestic Violence, we encourage you to get inspired and get involved. Singer/Songwriters may submit songs in various genres, including: Rock, Country, Jazz, Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, Gospel/Inspirationa l. Entries will be listened to and judged by a panel of music industry professionals. The preliminary judges will rate each song on a scale of one to five (1-5), using the following criteria: originality (25%), song melody (25%), vocal quality (25%) and song lyrics (25%). All songs submitted must be: *** Original *** Professionally recorded *** Performed by a female GO TO: WWW.WOMENWHOJAM. COM for information. Please send a mp3 and/or CD our Philly Network so can also support www.nabfeme. philly@gmail. com SEMI FINALISTS will be selected to perform in the finals in New York on April 7, 2008. The semi finalists will perform their entry before a panel of judges that include: Singer Michael Bolton, Warner Music Executive, Kevin Liles, Grammy Award winning artist/author/ Celebrity Mom, Cissy Houston and R&B Singer, Ben E. King. The judges, whose decision will be final, will select the Grand Prize winner. Prizes include: * Placement in NCADV's programs and media, * A single song assignment with the Warner Music Group * A meeting with a Warner Music Group A&R Executive * Guaranteed #1 slot on the "Breaking The Silence in Song" Compilation CD * Meeting with a major label promotions and marketing expert * Meeting with a top New York business & finance manager * Guaranteed performance at the NCADV 30th Anniversary Conference in DC All semi-finalists will be considered for a performance slot at the July 2008 NCADV 30th Anniversary Conference in Washington, DC as well as a slot on the Breaking The Silence In Song Compilation CD. .................... .................... .................... ....................