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Rachel & Veronica Rachel & Veronica from Road Rules are lecturing on positive body image & eating disorders. Rachel Robinson stated, As women on the MTV network, we felt we needed to put a speech together that had something to say aside from gossip about our shows. We need to address this subject matter here on campus. We can?t ignore it. Veronica Portillo opened up that she starved herself growing up in Orange County, California often eating only an apple a day. Ironically she was cast to be on Road Rules when she was at the depths of her starvation. Veronica stated, I found strength by traveling the world (on the show) and seeing how women are celebrated for their bodies. That was how I found inspiration.? Rachel follow up by saying, Confidence is the key to success. Media images are not reflections of reality. As individuals, we decide how to experience the media messages we encounter. (These images) are always going to exist. They won?t stop. It?s up to us to become a critical viewer and a smart viewer. Most interesting revelation I thought was when Rachel declared, The men on our shows are more body conscious than the women. She said this is because of the integration of metrosexuality into society, and the increasing use of steroids.
The Boys Choir of Harlem World-renowned Boys Choir of Harlem presents an uplifting and inspiring musical presentation.
Shirley Jones & Marty Ingels Oscar winning actress, Shirley Jones and her husband, comedian Marty Ingels, present a motivating and humorous program.
The Amazing Kreskin World’s foremost menatlist and entertainer.
Common Common is a Chicago-based hip hop artist known for lyrics that focus on love and spirituality. His music falls under the socially conscious subgenre of hip hop. Though he has maintained a significant underground following, in recent years he has gained notable mainstream success. His major-label debut Like Water for Chocolate received critical acclaim and some commercial success, and his latest album Be, which features nine tracks produced by Kanye West, has sold 800,000 copies and was nominated in the 2006 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album.
Tony Snow is the White House Press Secretary for the George W. Bush administration. He succeeded Scott McClellan, becoming the third individual to serve in that position under President Bush. It is the second Presidential administration to which Snow has been employed, having worked for President George H. W. Bush as chief speechwriter and Deputy Assistant of Media Affairs. Between his two White House stints, Snow was a broadcaster and newspaper columnist. After years of regular guest-hosting for The Rush Limbaugh Show and providing news commentary for National Public Radio, he launched his own talk radio program, The Tony Snow Show, which went on to become nationally syndicated. He was also a regular personality on Fox News Channel since 1996, hosting Fox News Sunday, Weekend Live, and often substituting as host of The O'Reilly Factor.
Dance Theatre of Harlem Internationally acclaimed professional ballet company, the Dance Theatre of Harlem was established in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell, a former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, as his personal commitment to the people of Harlem following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Dolans Financial planning experts, Ken and Daria Dolan host a daily national personal finance radio call-in show on the WOR Radio Network and are contributors to the national morning television show "CBS This Morning" and "CBS Saturday Morning." They are the co-authors of Straight Talk: Ken and Daria Dolan's Guide to Family Money Management.
The Flirtations Nationally celebrated gay a capella singing group.
Judge Judy Smart, savvy and opinionated, the irrepressible Judge Judy Sheindlin holds court as presiding judge over real-life cases on the syndicated reality courtroom show, "Judge Judy." Having made a name for herself as a tough but fair judge in New York's Family Court, Judge Judy retired from the bench in 1996 and segued to television to host the successful series. Judge Judy brings her trademark wit and wisdom to the only half-hour series currently on the air that takes viewers inside an actual courtroom where justice is dispensed at lightning speed.
Montana Logging & Ballet Co. Musical political satire troupe.
Penn & Teller "We have been doing magic together for twenty-five years, and are so sick of it we could spit. So, in the new show, we are moving into the field of religion and will be performing real miracles." Penn & Teller are a couple of eccentric guys who have learned how to do a few cool things. Together since 1975, their award-winning theater show has been a long running hit on and off-Broadway. The duo keeps a busy touring schedule, performing live more than 100 times this year alone. Favorite guests on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "The Late Show with David Letterman," and "Live! with Regis & Kathie Lee," Penn & Teller have made dozens of television appearances including, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "The Today Show" and "Saturday Night Live."
Race Relations in America Charles Moskos, a white sociology professor and John Sibley Butler, a black professor of sociology, are the nation's foremost authorities on race relations in the armed forces and in the United States. Moskos and Butler offer a blueprint for organizations to provide opportunities for all and to improve race relations at the same time. They are the co-authors of All That We Can Be: Black Leadership and Racial Integration the Army Way.
Sweet Honey In the Rock Founded in 1973 by Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Sweet Honey In The Rock is a Grammy Award-winning African American female a cappella ensemble with deep musical roots in the sacred music of the black church - spirituals, hymns, gospel - as well as jazz and blues. The Sweet Honey experience is like no other. Six African American women join their powerful voices, along with hand percussion instruments, to create a blend of lyrics, movement and narrative that variously relate history, point the finger at injustice, encourage activism, and sing the praises of love. The music speaks out against oppression and exploitation of every kind. The septet, whose words are simultaneously interpreted in uniquely expressive American Sign Language, demands a just and humane world for all.
The Def Poetry Experience A thrilling evening of spoken word infused with hip-hop music featuring the stars of HBO Def Poetry…Daniel Beaty, YOLANDA KAE WILKINSON, & Helena D. Lewis. Join these three internationally renowned, award winning poets as they electrify the mike tackling themes such as womanhood, bad relationships, Jewish identity, sexuality, racism, and bad breath!
African Heritage Dancers and Drummers A leading Black performing arts company specializing in traditional West African dance, music and culture. The African HeritageCompany gives as authentic a cultural presentation as can be seen on this side of the Atlantic.
An Evening of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis Jazz great, award winning pianist, and the leader of the Ramsey Lewis Trio. An internationally known and acclaimed musician, renowned for his keyboard virtuosity, Ramsey Lewis is the recipient of nine gold records and three Grammy awards.
Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band From the steps of the White House to eight World's Fair appearances, this amazing group of performers from Trinidad play a repertoire of music that ranges from classic to rock and roll...on oil drums. This feat has astounded audiences not only because of the unbelievable fidelity and artistic accomplishments with which they render each concert...whether it be modern, classical, or their native calypso.
Willie Tyler & Lester A famous ventriloquist and his dummy, Willie Tyler and Lester have been wowing Las Vegas audiences for years. A sure hit for your entertainment event.
The Stylistics Well known R&B group of the 70's.
The Temptations Popular singing group.
Tyrese Recording artist, actor, motivational speaker and model, Tyrese is the host of the cutting edge musical program, "MTV Jams."Gibson's latest film is Waist Deep, in which he plays a man fighting to rescue his son from kidnappers; his co-stars in the film, Meagan Good and Larenz Tate, are personal friends of Gibson's in real life. Like several of his previous roles, the film is set in an urban environment, but Gibson has said that he does not view the role as a "step back", rather seeing the film as taking "another direction" due to some of its themes and action sequences. Waist Deep was released on June 23, 2006. Gibson prefers his music career to acting, but will focus on both areas. His next album will be called Alter Ego, and will feature both R&B and hip hop songs. He will use an alias, "Black Ty", for the rap tracks. His next film role will be in the big-budget action movie, Transformers, which is currently filming and is scheduled for a release in July of 2007; the film's director, Michael Bay, had Gibson in mind for the role before he was cast, and thus Gibson did not have to audition for the part. Gibson may also star in a film version of the superhero Luke Cage; the script is currently being re-formatted.
The Raspyni Brothers COMIC JUGGLERS Barry Friedman and Dan Holzman are the Raspyni Brothers. As one of the most sought after acts on the corporate entertainment scene, they appear annually at over 100 events across America and internationally. Since 1982 their intelligent mayhem has earned them two International Juggling Championships, multiple appearances on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, and a place in the Guiness Book of World Records. In addition to the tremendous success they enjoy in the field of corporate entertainment, these unrelated siblings also tour as an opening act for dozens of superstars such as Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Howie Mandel, Dennis Miller and Tom Jones. Other audiences have ranged from the King of Spain and the Academy Awards to the sequestered O.J. Simpson jury.
Robert Randolph and the Family Band Robert Randolph and the Family Band are ready to change your life, just as music changed that of this group's dynamic leader. Raised in a firestorm of faith and danger, dividing his time between battles in the streets and safety in the arms of his music, Robert Randolph found his way up from darkness with help from a most unusual source: the pedal steel guitar. That's right -- those same slippery strings that weep and whine behind cowboy crooners and hula dancers. But in Randolph's world, which centers on the unique "sacred steel" tradition within the House of God Church, the pedal steel is a different animal, a source of ferocious, passionate sound. And in Randolph's young hands, it's a weapon, used to slash at darkness and rip away the shades that hide sunlight from our lives. What Randolph has done isn't just about taking the spirit of the church into the wider world, though that's part of the picture. It's more than a story of beating heavy odds, of watching friends die or disappear while trying to find your own way out. Certainly it's more than an odd twist of fate how an urban New Jersey artist finding his voice through an instrument seldom seen outside of Nashville studios or Southern honky-tonks. The buzz has actually been on for a while. Randolph began winning attention some three years ago, after being invited to join in on sessions for The Word, an adventurous marriage of gospel and "downtown" traditions with John Medeski and the North Mississippi Allstars. Interest picked up as he released Live At The Wetlands on his own Dare label, perhaps the most incendiary concert album of the year, recorded on the fabled venue's closing night with the Family Band that he formed with two of his cousins and fellow House of God musicians, bassist Danyel Morgan and drummer Marcus Randolph, and noted session keyboardist John Ginty.
Drew Carey and the Improv All Stars The show will feature Drew Carey along with some of the regular cast members from his most recent hit television show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" - Greg Proops, Chip Esten, Sean Masterson and Jeff Davis. A native of Cleveland, Carey, 45, began his successful stand-up comedy career in 1986 at the Cleveland Comedy Club. Among his first significant breaks was competing on "Star Search" in 1988. National prominence came in 1995 when "The Drew Carey Show" premiered. Carey won the 1996 People's Choice award for "Favorite Male in a New Series"; 1998 Golden Satellite award for Best Actor in a Television Series-Comedy; 1999: TV Guide Editors' Award; and, he received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
Kool Bubba Ice Comedian and cast member of the Apollo Comedy Hour.
Most Brothers The Most Brothers have appeared in casinos in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. They have performed on Def Comedy Jam, The Apollo Comedy Hour and comedy venues throughout the country. The Most Brothers are America's funniest comedy team.
The Coasters Rock & roll’s perennial favorite group, The Coasters sing “Charlie Brown” and their other golden oldies as though it were still the 50’s and 60’s. Fantastic!
The Crystals/The Sensations Eternally popular rock and roll legends, The Crystals and The Sensations bring back the 60's music with their inimitable style.
The Drifters Starting with their mega-hit “Under the Boardwalk,” The Drifters have never lost their status as one of the “biggies” of Rock and Roll.
The First Black President of the United States A one man show featuring Dennis Rahiim Watson as the first Black President in a real live simulated press conference with an African-American president prepared to answer the hot button domestic and international issues facing America and the world today.
Black Life In Corporate America An acclaimed author and dynamic speaker, George Daviscapitivates audiences throughout the country with his motivating message on diversity. His book, Branches, which chronicles the progress of African Americans since the civil rights movement, is being developed into a television series. His best seller, Black Life in Corporate America, has been praised by critics nationwide. His presentation takes an in depth look at social, cultural and personal factors created by racial diversity in public and private sector management.
Cedric The Entertainer Cedric The Entertainer is best known for his crowd-pleasing roles in the recent hit films Barbershop with Ice Cube, Be Cool with John Travolta, Madagascar (animated feature, Intolerable Cruelty with George Clooney, and The Original Kings of Comedy, MTVS documentary feature directed by Spike Lee. Additionally, in April 2004, Cedric was star and producer of the box office hit Johnson Family Vacation (ranked the #1 comedy in America for two consecutive weeks). On the big screen, Cedric has also been seen in The Honeymooners in which he starred as Jackie Gleasons famed character Ralph Cramden with thumbs up from Roger Ebert, Lemony Snicket with Jim Carrey, Man of the House with Tommy Lee Jones, Barbershop 2, Big Mommas House with Martin Lawrence, Kingdom Come with Whoopi Goldberg, Serving Sara with Matthew Perry, as well as displaying tremendous vocal talent in Dr. Dolittle 2 and Ice Age. He will next star in The Cleaner opposite Lucy Liu, Mr. Lucky co starring Bruce Willis, Johnson Family Vacation 2, Flash co starring Nelly, Preachin Aint Easy and the animated feature Charlottes Web. Cedric has celebrated many career successes spanning television, live performances and film. Some notable accolades include nabbing The AFTRA Award of Excellence in Television Programming for his Fox Television series Cedric the Entertainer Presents; a record-breaking (4) consecutive NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of the lovable Coach Cedric Robinson on the WBs #1-rated The Steve Harvey Show, which ran for six seasons. His first comedy book, Grown-Ass Man, was released in January of 2002 and sold out across the country. In 2001, a viewing audience of over 144 million saw Cedric star in the Bud Light commercial that landed in the #1 spot during the Super Bowl broadcast (subsequently, USA Today dubbed him Madison Avenues Most Valuable Player. And, in 1994, Cedric received The Richard Pryor Comic of the Year Award from Black Entertainment Television for his ground-breaking work as host of Def Comedy Jam and BETs Comic View (1994-95 season). Now helming his own production company, A Bird and a Bear Entertainment, Cedric will develop and produce feature films. Johnson Family Vacation was the first feature under the new company. As a philanthropist, Cedric founded The Cedric The Entertainer Charitable Foundation, which provides scholarships and outreach programs to enhance the lives of inner-city youth and their families in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. He plans to extend the foundation nationally.
Dance Theatre of Harlem Internationally acclaimed professional ballet company, the Dance Theatre of Harlem was established in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell, a former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, as his personal committment to the people of Harlem following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
DMX Popular rapper and actor, DMX has completed his transformation from underground upstart to top dog. Now a movie star, DMX can be seen in the movie "Exit Wounds" with action hero Steven Seagal. DMX's first movie role was as a gangster in "Belly" and as a night club owner battling rival gangs in "Romeo Must Die."
The Meeting A powerful drama about the lives, philosophies, and times of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. This fictional conversation between two great men provides a fascinating glimpse at their similarities and differences exploring the question: "What If The Two Leaders Had Become Friends?"
The Dating Doctor David Coleman, best known nationwide as "The Dating Doctor," is one of the top ranked speakers in America. His weekly column on relationships was the springboard to his first book, 101 Great Dates and his most recent book, Date Smart! Stop Revolving and Start Evolving in Relationships. An entertaining and informative presentation.
Is There Life After Death? Dr. Gary Schwartz an eminent scientist, director of the Human Energy Systems Laboratory and author of the new book, The Afterlife Experiments: Breakthrough Scientific Evidence of Life After Death presents a fascinating lecture entitled "Is There Life After Death?" Dr. Schwartz's presentation puts the audience on the scene of a breakthrough scientific achievement: contact dead friends and relatives of "sitters" who were masked from view and never spoke, depriving the mediums of any cues. The message that came through stunned sitters and researchers alike. Dr. Schwartz was forced by the overwhelmingly positive data to abandon his skepticism, reaching some startling conclusions.
Windtalkers Zonnie Gorman, Navajo Code Talker historian, who acted as a consultant for the John Woo movie, Windtalkers, presents a lecture telling the true story of the Navajo Code Talkers role in World War II and their contributions to winning the war. The code, created from the Dina language, the Navajo native tongue, was never broken nor was it revealed until 1968, when the military declassified the secret. Last year President Bush awarded Congressional medals to the surviving Code Talkers for their pivotal roles in America's victory in the Pacific. Zonnie Gorman's lecture is also available with one of the original twenty nine Navajo Marine Code Talkers. With slides and filmclips.
Is Peace Possible with The Muslims? A debate/dialogue between Shaykh Abdul Hadi Palazzi who takes the Muslim point of view and Dr. Alex Grobman who takes the Western point of view. Professor Palazzi holds a Ph.D in Islamic Sciences by decree of the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is an Iman for the Italian Islamic community and is the Secretary-General of the Italian Muslim Association. Dr. Grobman is an historian and president of a think tank, The Institute for Contemporary Jewish Life.
Gavin DeGraw Singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw grew up playing music at home with piano studies beginning at eight and later playing in cover bands with his older brother in upstate New York. After a brief stint studying music at the prestigious Berklee School of Music, DeGraw, who had been writing his own songs since his cover band days, decided to make a go of it as a singer/songwriter in New York City. Upon his arrival in the late '90s, DeGraw made an impression with crowds, and occasionally with journalists, as his name began to pop up in columns and best-of lists. The steady buzz led to offers from major labels, but DeGraw chose to take his time, and let his craft develop and his audience grow. He eventually signed a record deal with Clive Davis and his J Records imprint (home of Santana as well as R&B mainstays Alicia Keys and Angie Stone). DeGraw's debut, Chariot, arrived in the summer of 2003 and, like his early days in New York City, it slowly built momentum and earned the young singer a small but fervent following. ~ Wade Kergan, All Music Guide
O.A.R O.A.R. (aka Of a Revolution) converted from an Ohio State frat band to Billboard chartbuster and headliner at major venues across America. First, college reps hawked the band's two demo recordings to people and servers at universities. Then, word-of-mouth news spread about the band's roots rock and reggae-inflected upbeat songs. Before long, the band got thousands of hits daily on their website at www.ofarevolution.com. O.A.R.'s third CD, Risen, was produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, Ben Folds Five) and recorded in summer 2000 at Water Music in Hoboken, NJ, and at Dumbo Studios in New York City for the group's independent label, Everfine Records. Formed in 1998 at Ohio State University, O.A.R. coalesced around lead singer/rhythm guitarist Marc Roberge, lead guitarist Richard On, saxist Jerry DePizzo, bassist Benj Gershman, and drummer Chris Culos. Roberge had known Culos since childhood in Rockville, MD, where he also became friends and played in local bands with On and Gershman. DePizzo, who hails from Youngstown, OH, met the others at Ohio State. O.A.R. first recorded The Wanderer independently as a demo in 1997. Many of the songs on O.A.R.'s debut disc were written while Roberge and Culos were living in Israel. During their stay in Israel, Roberge and Culos in 1996 and later Gershman in 1997 visited the Masada, where 900 people committed suicide rather than die at the hands of the ancient Romans.
KC and the Sunshine Band With sales of over 75 million records, nine Grammy nominations, three Grammy Awards and The American Music Award, KC and the Sunshine Band are one of the seminal forces in pop. The group pioneered an original funk style that continues to delight old fans and attract new ones into the millennium. Hits like Get Down Tonight, That’s the Way (I Like It) and Shake Your Booty established KC as a mover and shaker in the music business. Along with the Beatles, KC is the only artist to have four number one singles in the span of a year: Boogie Shoes, Get Down Tonight, That’s the Way I Like It, and Rock Your Baby.
The Doobie Brothers The Doobie Brothers are one of the very few American rock and roll groups that have been able to achieve and sustain a phenomenal level of success. It is a success that has sold more than 50 million records. This includes: 2 Grammys; 27 chart singles; 16 top 40 hits (including 2 number 1s); 11 multi platinum albums; 13 Gold albums and that most rare of distinctions, The Diamond Award, for the sale of 10 million units of a single title Best Of The Doobies Vol. 1. Combined with their consistent appeal on the road, The Doobies have earned a fanatical loyalty for their high energy shows and are truly one of Americas most loved rock and roll bands. The secret to their success is most certainly in their diversity.
Three American Tenors A truly unique evening of incredible musical entertainment. The performance includes a well-blended compendium of opera, popular and Broadway melodies meticulously performed by Bruce Reed, Thomas Comerford and J. Nelson Whittington, three of America's finest tenors. The uniqueness of the program comes with a special guest appearance of the "Three Muske Tenors". The Muske Tenors appear in traditional costume and present a novel compilation of songs about war, comradeship, women and unrequited love. This 'one-of-a-kind' musical and theatrical program will leave a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to experience it.
The Roots Though popular success has largely eluded the Roots, the Philadelphia group showed the way for live rap, building on Stetsasonic's "hip-hop band" philosophy of the mid-'80s by focusing on live instrumentation at their concerts and in the studio. Though their album works have been inconsistent affairs, more intent on building grooves than pushing songs, the Roots' live shows are among the best in the business. The Roots' focus on live music began back in 1987 when rapper Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) and drummer ?uestlove (Ahmir Khalib Thompson) became friends at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. Playing around school, on the sidewalk, and later at talent shows (with ?uestlove's drum kit backing Black Thought's rhymes), the pair began to earn money and hooked up with bassist Hub (Leon Hubbard) and rapper Malik B. Moving from the street to local clubs, the Roots became a highly tipped underground act around Philadelphia and New York. When they were invited to represent stateside hip-hop at a concert in Germany, the Roots recorded an album to sell at shows; the result, Organix, was released in 1993 on Remedy Records. With a music industry buzz surrounding their activities, the Roots entertained offers from several labels before signing with DGC that same year.
Los Lonely Boys Los Lonely Boys are the three Garza brothers: Henry on guitar, Jojo on bass and Ringo on drums. This trio of brothers, aged 21-25, from a tiny town in West Texas, has been making music together since they were small children. They write, sing and play music drawn from diverse sources -- Tex-Mex, country, blues and rock pioneers like Ritchie Valens, Chuck Berry and Fats Domino and such pop music giants as The Beatles. Though Henry, the oldest of the brothers, has been hailed as the inheritor of the great Texas guitar tradition epitomized by Freddie King, Johnny Winter and the Vaughan Brothers, he is also a well-known young player in the burgeoning Latino, rock-guitar style pioneered by Carlos Santana. "Our dad had five brothers and a sister, and they had a great conjunto band in the '70s and '80s," Henry says. "They did a mixture of stuff that nobody was playing back then, a mixture of conjunto with country music and Spanglish. They were really popular in South and West Texas. ... They basically just fell apart after the tragedy of one of the brothers dying, the drummer."
SINBAD Sinbad's name recalls the literary legend that symbolizes strength, adventure and optimism and is what he strives for. "I renamed myself Sinbad because Sinbad is bad. He could hang with rogues and with kings. He didn't have the strength of Hercules, but he could outwit anyone." Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Sinbad grew up telling jokes to his three brothers and two sisters. The image sticks; Sinbad the wild child, off-the-wall Sinbad who would do anything for attention, acting stupid, free as the wind, on unpredictable force that can't be harnessed, and always willing to pay any price, looking for laughs.
Curb Your Enthusiasm feat. Richard Lewis and Jeff Garlin in Concert
Black Eyed Peas Black Eyed Peas:They've transcended their vigilant hip-hop roots and have become a global phenomenon, the likes of which the music world has rarely seen. They've earned fans worldwide with their inventive approach to hip-hop music, inspiring people with loose rhymes, and a positive spirit and funkafied vibe. On Elephunk, Black Eyed Pea's third album, that spirit seems to course through their beings even more than ever. The Black Eyed Peas - will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and newcomer Fergie - named the album Elephunk to conjure up a big, deep funk sound. Produced in its entirety by will.i.am and apl, the album boasts a mix of live instruments and traditional hip-hop samples and beats. It also mixes the group's breathless verbal acrobatics with a very conscious view of the world. Interestingly, the top song from Elephunk, "Let's get it started" originally was titled "Let's get retarded". While the song would have been a hit with either title, the change to "Let's get it started" allowed Black Eyed Peas to appeal to a much wider audience. The NBA picked up on the song, and made it the central opening to all of the playoff games in 2004.
Arrested Development ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT Speaks thru music to the world. Speech one of the vocalist for this collective says, "Our people have been through so much turmoil and strife for hundreds of years now. We get on stage every night with the mission to broaden perspectives and give inspiration to rise above the stereotypes and materialism." Unsurprisingly, then, the Grammy award winning group Arrested Development has been devoted to nudging folks in the direction of freedom and spiritual evolution for over 15 years. The group describes their sound as "Life Music." A.D. respects women, and promotes family, spirituality and "male responsibility." They are about conciousness, the earth, African self - determination and love. They are opposed to the pimp/ho approach to male/female relations. They define themselves as hip-hop artists but also just artists." They are dancers, vocalists, turntablist, drummers, and everything in between. Arrested Development is and has always been a communal music community with any number of talented members on board, picture your family reunion but more musical. Speech may be the most known member of the group, being the front man, but Dionne Farris, Eshe ("Black Life"), Rasa Don (Raz), Baba Oje (the elder), Nicha and many others have contributed much to this Kalidescope of image and sound. A.D.'s debut album 3 years, 5 months and 2 days in the life of, (EMI) referred to the amount of time passed between the start of the group and the signing of their first record deal.
R.W. Apple, Jr. For 30 years, R. W. Apple, Jr. has roamed the United States and the world, traveling close to a quarter of a million miles a year as an eyewitness to history during the most eventful periods in the modern era. The Chief Correspondent for The New York Times, R.W. Apple, Jr. has known and interviewed every President since Lyndon B. Johnson, plus Senators, Governors and world leaders on five continents. Few journalists of our time have seen as many great events; for that reason he is a sought-after commentator on television in the United States and abroad. He participates regularly in major international forums discussing diplomatic, economic and military questions.
Rhythmic Motivation Rhythmic Motivation Immerse your students in an energizing day of drumming ecstasy with internationally acclaimed educator/performer Jim Donovan. This program is designed to help students learn more about themselves through the ancient art of group hand drumming. Help your students feel enlivened, relaxed and focused as they discover new a strategies for conscious listening, de-stressing and the value cooperative effort through rhythm. Drums are provided for up to 50 students per session. First-time drummers are warmly welcomed.
Magnolia Electric Co After retiring Songs: Ohia, Jason Molina started up Magnolia Electric Co, a new avenue to explore his country-rock. The name of the new group was taken from the title of the last Songs: Ohia record and proved to be the appropriate connection from the past to the next phase of Molina's projects. The early makeup of the four-piece band in 2003 consisted of Pete Schreiner (Panoply Academy, Coke Dares) on drums, Mike Kapinus (Okkervil River) on bass and trumpet, Jason Groth (Impossible Shapes, John Wilkes Booze, Coke Dares) on guitar, and Jason Molina providing the other guitar and vocals. Magnolia Electric Co recorded Trials & Errors live in Brussels in 2003, which Secretly Canadian released in January of 2005. With later tours, Magnolia Electric Co shifted the lineup of the band, adding Mark Rice (Impossible Shapes, John Wilkes Booze) on drums and moving Schreiner to bass and Kapinus to trumpet and keyboards, while Groth and Molina remained on guitar. Magnolia Electric Co.'s full-length studio debut appeared to glowing reviews in spring 2005 via Secretly Canadian. The band didn't slow down, touring for most of the summer and issuing the five-song EP Hard to Love a Man in October. ~ David Serra, All Music Guide
Jurassic 5 Though there's actually six of them, Jurassic 5 got everything else right on their self-titled debut EP. Part of the new rap underground of the late '90s (along with Company Flow, Mos Def, Doctor Octagon, and Sir Menelik), the sextet -- rappers Marc 7even, Chali 2na, Zaakir, and Akil, plus producers Cut Chemist and DJ Nu-Mark -- came together in 1993 at the Los Angeles cafe/venue named the Good Life. The six members were part of two different crews, Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee; after collaborating on a track, they combined into Jurassic 5 and debuted in 1995 with the "Unified Rebellion" single for TVT Records. At the tail end of 1997, the Jurassic 5 EP appeared and was hailed by critics as one of the freshest debuts of the year (if not the decade). Both Cut Chemist and Chali 2na are also part of the Latin-hop collective Ozomatli, while Chemist himself recorded several mix-tapes plus the wide-issue album Future Primitive Soundsession (with Shortkut from Invisibl Skratch Piklz). The year 2000 found the group on tour with Fiona Apple and on the Warped Festival, just in time for the release of Quality Control that summer. Live work continued during 2000-2001, and a second record (Power in Numbers) appeared by the end of 2002. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Rusted Root The multi-instrumentalist group Rusted Root integrated the Grateful Dead's jam-heavy rock with percussion influences based on the music of Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The six-piece formed in Pittsburgh in 1990 with Michael Glabicki (vocals, guitar), Liz Berlin (vocals, percussion), Patrick Norman (bass, vocals), and Jim Donovan (drums, percussion) as the initial lineup, though John Buynak (percussion, winds) and Jim DiSpirito (percussion) joined later that year. Rusted Root's self-produced debut album When I Woke appeared in 1994 on Polygram. With support from college radio and a good buzz from the band's entrancing live show, When I Woke became quite successful in alternative circles during 1995-1996, especially with singles such as "Send Me On My Way" and "Ecstasy." In mid-1996, Rusted Root released the Evil Ways EP, a compilation of live tracks with the band's contributions to the movies Twister and Home for the Holidays. Rusted Root's second album, Remember, followed in October. Produced by Jerry Harrison, it reached the Top 40 in its first week of release. A self-titled LP followed in 1998. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Johnsmith Johnsmith is one performer who doesn't wear hype well. His artistry speaks for itself. In fact, the idea of 'just being real' is a prominent theme throughout his music. And yet, to simply say that Johnsmith is a great singer/ songwriter would not be enough. In addition to his incomparable musical abilities and finely tuned songwriting skills, Johnsmith possesses the even rarer gift of being able to share his soul. That gift is the foundation on which everything else about him is built, and it comes shining through in every song he sings. The following lyrics from the title cut of his new CD, Break Me Open, are a perfect example:
Boys Choir of Harlem The Boys Choir of Harlem has entertained audiences worldwide with a broad collection of music including classical, contemporary, spirituals, gospel and jazz. Combining soulful music and well-orchestrated choreography, the choir puts on 80 to 100 concerts annually, including tours through Europe and the Orient. Founded by nationally known educator and conductor Walter J. Turnbull in 1968, the organization not only provides children between the ages of eight and 18 the opportunity to realize their creative potential, but it also educates and broadens their creative perception. Its purpose is to provide – in addition to music – counseling, tutoring and recreational activities.
Branford Marsalis Quartet Billboard jazz writer Steve Graybow recently described the Branford Marsalis quartet as "a unit with telepathic intuition and unbridled adventurousness, held together by a singular creative vision." For his first quartet album in nine years, Branford has made a requiem for a heavyweight. Requiem is a tribute to pianist Kenny Kirkland, Branford's friend and colleague for nearly 20 years, whose sublime performances on the new album proved to be his last recorded work.
Dave Brubeck Quartet Pianist-composer Dave Brubeck has become a jazz legend. The public's first awareness associated him with the intricate, lightly swinging sound known as West Coast Cool. His distinctive harmonic approach and daring improvisations generated excitement with critics and fans. His group won the Critics Poll and the Readers Poll the same year in Down Beat magazine. The Dave Brubeck Quartet became the sound that identified an era. It was they who started the wave of popularity of jazz on college campuses in the 1950s. Concurrently, they were playing the leading jazz clubs and touring with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz and other musicians of the bop era. The quartet won the first jazz poll conducted by a black newspaper, The Pittsburgh Courier.
Ice T Ice-T (born Tracy Morrow) has proven to be one of hip-hop's most articulate and intelligent stars, as well as one of its most frustrating. At his best, the rapper has written some of the best portraits of ghetto life and gangsters, as well as some of the best social commentary that hip-hop has produced. He has become an influential spokesman for America’s youth, regardless of color. He also joined the cast of TV's "Law & Order SVU" (consistently a number-one Friday night show) as a series regular playing the part of Detective Finn. Additionally, Ice T has been the keynote speaker at a number of Internet conventions including the 1999 College Music Journal Conference in New York, and in 2000, the New York Music & Internet Expo, Rotterdam Film Festival, and Canadian Music Week.
B.B. King B.B. King is considered one of the greatest blues guitarists of the late 20th century. His unique style of playing integrating single string runs, bent chords and left hand vibrato has influenced countless musicians including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour and Buddy Guy.
Martin Short & Second City The legendary comedy theatre The Second City, founded in Chicago in 1959, has become the premier training ground for the comedy world’s best and brightest. Its alumni list reads like a "Who’s Who" of American comedy, including Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Shelley Long, Joan Rivers, Robert Klein, Harold Ramis, Gilda Radner, John Candy, Chris Farley and countless others. An evening with Martin Short and The Second City will provide audiences with the chance to see comedy stars in the making with hilarious satires and cutting-edge improvisation. If your parents asked you not to speak about it at the dinner table, chances are that this group will make fun of it. Second City’s spontaneous and irreverent humor inspired "Saturday Night Live" and "Whose Line Is It Anyway?".
The Neville Brothers Four powerfully unique personalities, The Neville Brothers thrive on an explosive fusion of diversity and unity. This collective of talented brothers is world-famous for its embodiment of the New Orleans sound. Aaron, Art, Charles, and Cyril Neville have expanded the horizons of New Orleans R&B while honoring the music's roots and traditions. Drawing on the vast resources and multiple styles of African-American music, The Neville Brothers have combined R&B, jazz, reggae and elements of rock and Zydeco with a harmony-based funk groove all their own.
The Passing Zone Take two guys with chainsaws. Put them in tights, throw in a Garden Weasel, and what do you get? Well, it?s kind of hard to explain. But they?re called The Passing Zone, and they?ll amaze you. And make you laugh. They juggle. Jugglers have been around for thousands of years. But Jon Wee and Owen Morse are different. They really are. And not just because they wear tights while tossing gasoline-powered destruct-o devices at each other. They?re funny. Really funny. And they?ve got class. So much class that they were asked to perform at The Royal Command Performance for Prince Charles in London. They break things. Lots of things. Like five Guinness World Records. And they?ve won eighteen gold medals from the International Jugglers Association ? more than any other team in the world. They?ve appeared on television shows you?ve actually watched (The Tonight Show), in movies you?ve actually seen (The Adams Family), and at venues you?ve actually seen (Caesar?s Palace and the MGM Grand). So invite them over. You?ll be in good company. They?ve been featured at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, on MADtv, and on Penn & Teller?s Sin City Spectacular. They?ve wowed them at IBM, McDonald?s, and Hewlett Packard. And they?ve performed with Bob Hope, Bob Newhart, Rita Rudner, and Tony Bennett. This isn?t just juggling. It?s The Passing Zone. Let?s face it ? a corporate event is a distinct and deceptively challenging venue. The objectives of corporate programs are as specialized and innovative as the companies they are designed to promote. Most performers can?t quite make the jump. They may have appeal for general audiences. But when it comes to corporate events, they fall flat because they don?t understand the nuance of corporate culture, convention objectives, team building, or the specialized field of corporate entertainment. You can?t afford to risk your reputation on entertainers who don?t comprehend your situation. That?s why The Passing Zone is extraordinarily popular on the corporate circuit. Put Jon and Owen?s award-winning performance to work for you. They won?t just juggle your company?s products; they?ll make your CEO part of the act. And they can custom design their show, tailoring their act to drive home sales messages, corporate themes, and other information critical to your company?s mission. Find out why Domino?s, Frito-Lay, Boeing, MCI, Andersen Consulting, and other Fortune 500 companies make The Passing Zone central to their corporate functions. Because when it comes to the success of your event, these guys mean business. You?ve heard of keynote speakers, but keynote jugglers? The best keynote speakers do a lot more than just present a meaningful and informative message. They act as a springboard to launch your imagination, expand your perception and open new doors to possibility. Jon and Owen do that. And they do it in ways you have to see to believe. Juggling is the perfect metaphor to describe what people do in their workday and how they balance life?s many demands. And these guys know about teamwork, learning from mistakes, and reaching goals. As members of the National Speakers Association, Jon and Owen demonstrate exceptional skills as highly motivational speakers. Add their artistry as jugglers, comedians, and entertainers, and The Passing Zone can turn your next function into the most talked-about and effective event your group has ever experienced. Keynote addresses include: ? Teamwork: The Power of Partnership ? Taking Risks: Learning from Mistakes ? Achieving Goals: Steps to Success
Real World Sydney The Real World: Sydney is the nineteenth season of MTV's popular reality television series The Real World, which focuses on seven diverse strangers living together for several months in a different city each season, as cameras follow their lives and interpersonal relationships. Production lasted from February to May 26, 2007, though the duration of the cast's stay in the house was four months.The season was set in a contemporary 20,000-square-foot, waterfront house.The season will premiere on August 8, 2007. The first two episodes are already available on Comcast On-Demand.
Beyond Beats and Rhymes: The Sundance Film Festival selected Beyond Beats and Rhymes for this year's festival in Park City, Utah, January 19-29, 2006. This news came on the heels of receiving word that the Emmy award-winning PBS series Independent Lens (www.independentlens.org) had also selected Beyond Beats and Rhymes for a 2007 national television broadcast. Beyond Beats and Rhymes: A Hip-Hop Head Weighs in on Manhood in Hip-Hop Culture is a riveting documentary that examines representations of gender roles in hip-hop and rap music through the lens of filmmaker Byron Hurt, a former college quarterback turned activist. Conceived as a "loving critique" from a self-proclaimed "hip-hop head," Hurt tackles issues of masculinity, sexism, violence and homophobia in today's hip-hop culture.
Coach Carter Coach Carter is a coach, author, educator and inspiration for the movie Coach Carter, featuring Samuel L. Jackson. The movie recounts Carter’s decision to literally lock his undefeated, state play-off bound basketball team out of the gym and force them to hit the books. Coach Carter is an advocate for Richmond's youth and is active in his community. He is diligent in providing them with opportunities to build meaningful relationships with their peers and caring adults, and recognizes the advantages inherent in a sound sports program. In October, 2000 he announced his plans to travel from Richmond High School to the steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. Using only a kick scooter, Carter traveled for 3 days to Sacramento hoping to draw awareness to the deteriorating state of our schools and the need for students, parents, teachers, and school board officials to commit to making a difference. His efforts proved successful, and subsequently Richmond High received building enhancements and computers from the Office of the Secretary of Education. Under the direction and guidance of Coach Carter, in December of 2000, 11 students from Australia arrived in the U.S. to promote peace and to learn first hand what it takes to be an American high school basketball player. Coach Carter found a way to bring something positive to the lives of Richmond High students, where heroes and positive role models are few and far between. Using basketball as the common bond, the intention of the visit was to offer these students an opportunity to meet each other, gain awareness about each others' culture and communities, and to learn hands-on about what it takes to be a top-notch American athletic. Carter feels that exchanges such as these are needed to promote a more just and peaceful place for us all to live in.
Lost Boys of Sudan Lost Boys of Sudan is a feature-length documentary that follows two Sudanese refugees on an extraordinary journey from Africa to America. Orphaned as young boys in one of Africa's cruelest civil wars, Peter Dut and Santino Chuor survived lion attacks and militia gunfire to reach a refugee camp in Kenya along with thousands of other children. From there, remarkably, they were chosen to come to America. Safe at last from physical danger and hunger, a world away from home, they find themselves confronted with the abundance and alienation of contemporary American suburbia. Lost Boys of Sudan won an Independent Spirit Award and screened theatrically in 70 cities across the U.S. to strong audience and critical praise. The film was broadcast nationally on the PBS series POV in the fall of 2004 and earned two Emmy nominations. The story of the Lost Boys of Sudan has touched people from all walks of life. From movie stars and politicians to the average housewife, people from around the world have fallen in love with these courageous young men. Joan Hecht was no exception. When hearing of their story for the first time, Joan Hecht’s eyes filled with tears and she felt a deep stirring in her soul. She knew that helping them was not an option. It was a call to her heart from God and Joan Hecht responded. She hoped to be instrumental in making their new lives in America better than the ones they had left behind. Like many others, Joan Hecht felt compelled to be a mother to these young men who couldn't even remember the faces of their own mothers. “Mama Joan” hoped only to help change their lives, never realizing how knowing each of them would so drastically change her own.
Real World Now you can bring The Real World experience to your campus. Cast members from all seasons are now available to come to your campus for your personal Reunion, where they discuss a variety of issues, including orientation, diversity, conflict resolution, volunteerism, multiculturalism, AIDS awareness, relationships and answer any personal questions audience members may have about them or the show. Every freshman has to deal with adjusting to a new living environment with people they hardly know. This program will be beneficial to students going through orientation. Likewise, graduating seniors will soon be entering the real real world and this program will help them to realize some of the issues they will be faced with. See what the cast members are up to these days in the real real world and choose from The Real World cast for a program that would work well at your school.
Road Rules Now you can bring The Road Rules experience to your campus. Cast members from all seasons are now available to come to your campus for your personal reunion, where they discuss a variety of issues, including orientation, diversity, conflict resolution, volunteerism, multiculturalism, AIDS awareness, relationships and answer any personal questions audience members may have about them or the show. Every freshman has to deal with adjusting to a new living environment with people they hardly know. This program will be beneficial to students going through orientation. Likewise, graduating seniors will soon be entering the real real world and this program will help them to reduce some of the issues they will be faced with. See what the cast members are up to these days in the real real world and choose from The Road Rules cast for a program that will work well at your school. Each school can pick-and-choose cast members and mix-and-match them from each cast or show to create your own personalized reunion. This lecture focuses on conflict resolution, diversity, relationships as well as an "uncensored" look behind the scenes of the show, from the cast members themselves.
Real World Austin The Real World: Austin was the sixteenth season of MTV's popular reality television series The Real World, which focuses on seven diverse strangers living together for several months in a different city each season, as cameras follow their lives and interpersonal relationships. The Austin edition of the show premiered on June 21, 2005, and featured the cast living in a house in Austin, Texas.
Real World Philadelphia The Real World Philadelphia premiered on Tuesday, September 7, 2004. This is the 15th season for this landmark MTV reality series. The Real World cast resides in a 10,000 square foot building at the corner of 3rd and Arch Streets which was a former bank building and former home to the Seaman's Church Institute, a non-profit organization geared to helping visiting seamen that come to port on various ships and tankers. The building was transformed for the Real World Philadelphia cast to include an atrium with an olive tree, a basketball hoop, and hot tub along with many of the other amenities familiar to Real World fans. This year's cast consists of seven strangers including four single guys and three single girls from around the United States.
Burton Gerber and John Brennan Burton Gerber, former director of the European and the Soviet & East European divisions of the Directorate of Operations at the CIA, and John Brennan, former head and organizational architect of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) and of its predecessor organization the Terrorist Threat Integration Center (TTIC)Gerber worked primarily in operations related to the former Soviet Union and the former Warsaw Pact countries. He served overseas as the CIA chief of station in three separate assignments. In Washington, he directed the agency's operational programs in the former Soviet Union and Europe for eight years.
Nathan Keliikui Brown Nathan coordinates Research & International Law for the Ohana (family) Council - a leading organization in the dynamic Native Hawaiian movement to re-assert independence & self-determination. In 1878 Captain Cook came upon, "400,000 island residents with a well-developed, flourishing culture and lifestyle. They were robust & healthy and had a coherent system of spiritual beliefs, economics and scholarship." In 1893 armed white settlers and the U.S.Marines overthrew the Sovereign Hawaiian Kingdom in violation of a Treaty of Peace & Friendship. For Nathan's people, self-determination is the right to choose ones destiny in compliance with The U.N. Charter, Article 73. Nathan is of Kanaka Mooli (Hawaiian) descent from a family of 14 children raised in a rural lifestyle in the heart of Downtown Honolulu. After several arrests, he is under federal indictment for exercising his human rights. He is currently assisting Kanaka Maoli communities with the Ohana Council Self-government Charter that lays a foundation for self-determination & self-governance. Nathan engages in eloquent unveiling of truth through the spirit of Aloha.
Hinewirangi Hiné is Coordinator of the Maori Women's Resource Center and a Representative of the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific movement. She is a Board Member of the International Indian Treaty Council and has served as Co-Director. She is mother of two children and has mothered several others. She has published four volumes of poetry, is currently working on a novel and has written and directed 6 videos for children about recognizing sexual abuse. She has written many dramas reflecting her culture. Her life's work has been with women and children, healing effects of abuse
THE CINTRON BROTHERS Afro Cuban Rumba Both Cristobal and Rafael showed promise at an early age and were taught and encouraged to sing by their mother Maria Teresa Lugana Santos. Rafael began singing his first harmony at the age of 8 and began playing guitar at the age of 9. Cristobal began singing at 6 years of age, singing songs of Joselito and didn't begin to play guitar until much later. Rafael was fortunate to be influenced and studied guitar with musical greats such as Maestro "Sabicas", Maestro Mario Escudero, & Emilio Prados. It is evident that they did not choose music, but music chose them! Rafael and Cristobal are two brothers who are natives of Spain. They arrived in the U.S. at an early age and have been living both here and abroad for the last thirty years. Born performers this duo exemplifies all that is exciting and romantic about "La Fiesta". Their music is expansive, they sing with the soul of gypsies, and enchant you with their rhythms. Whatever the occasion, "They are truly the spice!" The brothers are popular in the New York night life, they enhance, charm, and seduce their audience, to no end.
One-Man Star Wars Best known as the mastermind behind the in famous One Man Star Wars Trilogy and One Man Lord of the Rings. Word of Ross's one of a kind talent has spread across North America, from Toronto, Orlando, Atlanta, and Boston, to Chicago, San Diego, and Vancouver. To mark the release of Star Wars: Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, Charles was honoredto perform at Lucasfilm's official movie release convention, Celebration 3. Even the likes of Vin Diesel and Sir Ian McKellan have taken in his performances with ravereviews.
Dr. Jennifer & Dr. Laura Berman Experts on human sexuality and authors of For Women Only :A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Sexual Dysfunction and Reclaiming Your Sex Life. Jennifer Berman, M.D., one of the few women urologists in the country, and Laura Berman, Ph.D., a sex therapist, are formerly the co-directors of the Women's Sexual Health Clinic at BostonUniversity Medical Center, and currently co-directors of The Network for Excellence in Women's Sexual Health (NEWSHE) and the Center for Pelvic Medicineat UCLA. They appear regularly on "Good Morning America" and have appeared on"48 Hours", "Larry King Live", and "NBC Nightly News." They have been featured in cover stories in The New York Times Magazine and Newsweek,as well as in Redbook, Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Harper's Bazaar. They also host a television show, "Bermanand Berman: For Women Only" on the Discovery Health Channel.
Apollo vs. Dionysus: A Philosophy to Increase College Success by 85% In the 3700 institutions of higher learning in America, no more than 50% of students who start school leave with a degree. The figure is smaller for minorities. In this Freshman Orientation Seminar of six hours (two days of three hours per day), Professor Henry Parker and Marilyn Crist show participants how to increase their chance of graduating by 85%. The content of their presentation is based on a program they created and directed at the University of Tennessee which resulted in an 85% retention rate for all participants, irrespective of race, gender, or academic standing when they entered college. Ms. Crist also discusses a program she created which resulted in a success rate of 77% for probation students, the highest risk group of all. This seminar is a must for schools who know the value of retaining the freshmen they recruit. Topics included in the seminar are sexual relations, time management, reading comprehension, critical thinking, etc
Paper Clips Paper Clips is an inspiring 2004 documentary about a consciousness-raising project that blossomed into something beautiful at a rural Tennessee school. When the principal of Whitwell Middle School sought a program that would teach diversity to a predominantly white, Protestant student body, the notion of focusing on the Holocaust--specifically Hitler's extermination of six million Jews--seemed like an obvious way to go. But understanding what "six million" looks like became a challenge. Thus was born the idea of collecting that number of paper clips at Whitwell as a visual reference. But then it turned out paper clips actually have, in historical terms, symbolic value where the Holocaust is concerned. In this moving film, one sees Whitwell students dig into research on Germany's genocidal campaign, solicit clips from a variety of leaders and celebrities, and make a name for themselves on the national news. In time, the world comes to Whitwell's doorstep, via unsolicited donations of clips from people around the world, and in a tearful meeting of students and Holocaust survivors. The dimensions of the project, the lessons about prejudice and intolerance, are stunning to watch grow beyond anyone's wildest expectations. This is a great film for families and classrooms to watch together. --Tom Keogh
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell is well known as one of the most respected and charismatic leaders in the US Congress over the past 15 years. An inspiration to everyone who meets him, Senator Campbell is a rancher, jewelry designer, former educator, Olympian, and sheriff. Above all, he is a family man and an outspoken champion of American values. Senator Campbell was first elected to the Senate in 1992, after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives for five years. Sen. Campbell was the only American Indian to serve in the United States Senate at the time, and is one of the 44 Chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Before entering college Sen. Campbell served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1953. Stationed in Korea, he attained the rank of Airman 2nd Class. Sen. Campbell received a bachelor's degree in physical education and fine arts from San Jose State University in 1957 and later attended Meiji University in Tokyo in 1960 as a special research student. He was the U.S. Judo Champion 1961-1963, and All-American 1964. Also in 1964, he was captain of the U.S. Olympic judo team and placed fourth at the Tokyo Olympics. Sen. Campbell is a renowned jewelry designer, rancher, and trainer of champion quarter horses. He has been married to his wife Linda for more than 35 years. He is the father of two grown children, Colin Campbell and Shanan Longfellow. He is grandfather to Luke and Saylor Longfellow and Lauren Campbell. First elected to the Senate in 1992, Sen. Campbell was re-elected in 1998 with 62% of the vote. Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, Sen. Campbell served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987-1992 and served in the Colorado State General Assembly from 1982-1986. Throughout his career, he has fought to reduce spending in order to balance the federal budget and lower tax rates across the board. He has worked steadily to decrease crime, improve education, and support veterans' issues. In 1997 Sen. Campbell became the first American Indian to chair the Indian Affairs Committee. In addition to furthering several lands projects that are significant to American Indian history, he has sponsored legislation aimed at addressing Indian health, education, and economic needs. During the 106th Congress, Sen. Campbell had more free-standing Senate legislation passed into law (12 public laws) than any other member of Congress. Today, he continues his efforts to champion projects important to Colorado and to improve the safety and well being of all Americans. A true original, Senator Campbell has been known to park his motorcycle in front of the Capitol on the way to work, drive delivery trucks around his home state in the off time, and will never shy away from telling you exactly what he thinks about a particular issue.
GUSTER Guster became one of the most successful bands to hit the U.S. East Coast scene in the late 1990s. Through relentless touring and humorous stage banter with the crowd, the band developed a strong grass-roots fan base which spread rapidly with a strong presence on the Internet. The Boston trio developed a unique sound with two acoustic guitars and a bongo set, successfully defying the typical industry pigeonholing. They wrote short, infectiously catchy tunes about love, suicide and absurdist rock star lifestyles. Through word of mouth alone, the band sold over 40,000 copies of independent debut Parachute and their second effort, Goldfly.
Phantom Planet The Los Angeles based indie rock band Phantom Planet came together during early adolescence at a local Pizza Hut in 1994. The band, which is comprised of Jacques Brauther (guitar), Sam Farrar (bass), Alex Greenwald (vocals/guitar), Darren Robinson (guitar), and Jason Schwartzman (drums), played around with post-grunge stylings while taking their name from the 60s sci-fi movie. Each member came from a well-educated background, therefore finding time to jam in the garage was simply something to do. Schwartzman, who is the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola and the son of Talia Shire, made a name for himself starring in such films as Rushmore (1998) and Slackers (2002). Greenwald spent time modeling and became a familiar face in the chic GAP commercials during the new millennium. He also played a sociopath in the black comedy flick Donnie Darko (2001). Farrar, who's been playing since early childhood, is the son of renowned singer/songwriter producer John Farrar. The elder Farrar is most-noted for writing "You're the One That I Want" and "Hopelessly Devoted to You" for the 1978 smash musical Grease, as well as other chart-toppers for Olivia Newton-John.
Latin Evening/Noche Latina The Celebrate Latin Evening/Noche Latina, commemorating the merging of Spain?s cultural heritage with that of Latin America works by Latin American artists Humberto Aquino, Paulo Jim and more. The musical festivities continue in the auditorium, beginning with authentic mariachi from Los Trovadores de Am鲩ca, (pictured), and a performance by Ray Gonzalez and his Latin Jazz Ensemble.
Judge Alex Former police officer, attorney and Florida Circuit Court Judge Alex E. Ferrer hosts "Judge Alex," the new court room strip from Twentieth Television that will make its launch in first-run national syndication on September 12, 2005. The first new court show in four years, the half-hour strip features Judge Alex, the only television judge with extensive police, legal and judicial experience, presiding over a wide array of cases, resolving complicated issues with his straight forward approach and cogent rulings. Most recently, Judge Alex served as the Associate Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division of Florida’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit, which services Miami-Dade County, the largest trial court in the state and fourth largest in the United States. Born in Havana, Cuba, Judge Alex and his family escaped from Fidel Castro’s Communist regime to America when he was one year old. Growing up in Miami with a passionate interest in law enforcement, at 19 he joined the Coral Gables Police Department, making him one of the youngest officers in the state. While on the police force, he served as a patrolman, detective and in an undercover capacity. He was also trained to be on the department’s SWAT force. Intent on building a career in the legal profession, Judge Alex performed his duties as a police officer while attending both college and law school.
Judge Marilyn Milian Judge Milian is probably the most popular judge on television. In her courtroom justice is fast, fair, and often fierce. She provides a compassionate voice for victims while verbally beating the bad guys. With humor, compassion, and a temper that can make grown men tremble, there is no doubt that Judge Milian owns the courtroom. I've been to two tapings and can tell you the show is run like a regular courtroom. You hear Curt Chaplin speaking as each litigant enters. Douglas swears them in and then asks the audience to rise and Judge Milian enters. The cases begin, and if it weren't for the cameras you would think you were in a regular courtroom. It's case after case until lunch break. Before going to lunch, the judge comes out and greets the audience, answering questions and posing for photos with fans. This is repeated after the last case of the day.
Our Lady Peace Our Lady Peace they later recruited bassist Chris Eacrett and jazz drummer Jeremy Taggart, playing around the area. Signed to Relativity, Our Lady Peace released Naveed, which sparked the modern rock hit "Starseed," in 1995. They toured with fellow Canadian Alanis Morissette later that summer, and earned a cult following. After replacing Eacrett with bassist Duncan Coutts, Clumsy followed in 1997, and two years later Our Lady Peace returned with Happiness Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch. The new millennium brought another OLP release, 2001's Spiritual Machines, and a sold out promo tour that spring. Shortly thereafter, guitarist Mike Turner left the band due to creative differences and Steve Mazur was brought in to replace him. He and the rest of Our Lady Peace restructed the band's heavy rock sound for the simplistic Gravity, which appeared in June 2002. The band toured throughout Canada and the U.S. in support of the album, and documented the jaunt the following June with Live from Calgary and Edmonton. In addition to the CD, OLP also issued a DVD of the tour. That same month, the band took part in the historic "Concert for Toronto," held at the city's Sky Dome as a way for the city, its citizens, and the nation of Canada to show Toronto's vitality and to quell fears in the wake of the city's bout with the SARS epidemic. Healthy in Paranoid Times, the band's seventh album, was released in late August 2005. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
ButtaFlySoul About ButtaFlySoul :Leslie ?ButtaFlySouL? Taylor, poet/spoken word artist, host, vocalist, actor, and director, native of Chicago, Illinois makes his home in New York City. ButtaFlySouL has been featured on 98.7 Kiss FM, Boston Comedy Club, Blue Stockings, Club Decades, and the BET/Pantene Totally You Tour with Nikki Giovanni. He has also been featured at a host of poetry venues, churches, and universities. His spoken word artistry has also won him the Nuyorican 2003 Glam Slam Championship as well as the opportunity to open for Motown recording artist Donnie. He is currently one of the contributing writers for the Signifying Harlem Literary Journal and featured poet for the Nubian Heritage on line magazine. He prides himself on having the distinction of being one of the esteemed members of the Peabody Award winning Russell Simmons? Def Poetry Jam family. At Vibe Theory ButtaFlySouL would make a name for himself as a comical, witty, poetic, and musical force. Hosting the Friday night open mic at Two Steps Down afforded him the opportunity to co-host The Spit Fire Radio Show on WBAI 99.5 FM during their fundraising season. This lead to hosting shows throughout New York City. He is currently the host of FLOW a hip-hop and poetry showcase for the alternative artist. Most recently, he hosted the 2004 Poetry Slam at this year?s DC Black Pride.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a prominent, often controversial author, film maker and critic of Islam. She was a member of the Tweede Kamer (the Lower House of the States-General of the Netherlands) for the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) from January 30, 2003 until May 16, 2006. Hirsi Ali has had to maintain a high level of security due to threats against her life for voicing views critical of certain aspects of Islam. For example, her film Submission, directed by Theo van Gogh (who himself was assassinated for his works), made her one of the targets of the Hofstad Network. On May 15, 2006, officials of the Netherlands government cast doubt on Hirsi Ali's status as a Dutch national, due to concerns related to the fact that in order to obtain refugee status in the Netherlands she had provided false information. She later used the same false information when she applied for, and was granted, Dutch citizenship. The Dutch minister of immigration and integration, Rita Verdonk, moved to annul her citizenship, a move that was overridden by order of the Prime Minister. She released to the New York Times personal letters from her father and other family members that affirmed her story about fleeing a forced marriage. On June 27, 2006, the Dutch government announced that Hirsi Ali would keep her Dutch citizenship. On May 16, Hirsi Ali announced resignation from parliament and confirmed her previous statement that she would move to the United States to work at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. Her prospective arrival in September 2006 was welcomed by Deputy US Secretary of State Robert Zoellick.
MR. PRESIDENT The unlikely jump from pulpit to stage actually began in Bridge's childhood. A Dallas native, he moved with his family to northern California's Oakland Bay area at the tender age of three. Not many years later, his natural talent for making people laugh became apparent via his dead-on impressions of the Three Stooges (Moe, Larry, and/or Curly) done from the back seat of his parents' car. By high school, Bridges had carefully honed his uncanny characterizations to include contemporary political figures. Then, his biggest laughs came courtesy of Jimmy Carter. Today, he arguably does one of the best George W. Bush impressions anywhere. In between, he has mastered a host of other political characters (with the emphasis on characters) including Bill Clinton, AI Gore, Senators Phil Graham, Ted Kennedy, and Strom Thurmond - even the Reverend Jesse Jackson. He also has expanded his repertoire to include newsmen Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather, Geraldo Rivera, and Sam Donaldson, as well as television characters like Regis Philbin and Homer Simpson - not to mention the ever-popular Mr. Haney from Green Acres. What makes Bridges such a comic standout is his ability not only to accurately voice these and many other characters, but to instantly switch between them to create "conversations" among two or more of them at the same time. A member of SAG/AFTRA, Bridges' extensive training includes work at the famed Groundlings in Los Angeles as well as private classes with some of the best comic trainers in the business. Also to his credit, he has made numerous appearances at many of southern California's best comedy venues including The Improv, The Ice House, and The Comedy Store. Known for his hilarious - but clean - comedic routines, Bridges has appeared on many television shows including ER (NBC), TheDistrict (CBS), and ABC News Overnight (ABCNationwide). His numerous radio credits include guest appearances on KABC (Ken and Barkley Show) and K-EARTH 101 out of Los Angeles, NBC Mutual Radio (nationwide), and even the venerable BBC. He also has done commercial voice-over work for clients HBO and Coca-Cola, to name a few. A resident of Pasadena, Bridges keeps audiences laughing from coast to coast with his club, commercial, and corporate work. His future plans include adding more local and national television appearances to his ever-expanding resume.
Step Afrika! Step Afrika! is a powerful collaborative project between young artists from the United States and the South Africa based Soweto Dance Theatre. The project highlights the African American fraternity and sorority art form of steping and it's link to traditonal South African dance. Recently performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., reviewers describe Step Afrika!'s perfromance as " a dance genre considered by some to be one of the most exciting created by Americans in the 21st century." Step Afrika! displays the roots of stepping in South Africa's gumboot dance and declares it's relationship with tap dance and hoofing
Gemineye 2002 and 2003 New Jersey Grand Slam Champion Spoken word artist, writer and poet- Gemineye is a ?dual personality? and strives to be ?the future of spoken word!? Born June 11, 1976 in Washington State, this poet would arrive and settle in Mount Vernon, NY in January of 1979. ?Money earning Mt. Vernon, ? as it was known, was home to known rap artists such as Heavy D, Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth; as well as actors and celebrities including Academy Award Winner: actor Denzel Washington, Legendary Dick Clark, Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad, and a list of others. 1997 was the year his writing took flight. You can catch Gemineye?s most recent television appearance on the third season of HBO?s Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry, currently being aired.
Flowmentalz Who said that Poetry has limitations? Flowmentalz will demonstratehow poetry has “No limitations”, by bringing infinite thought into all his work. Creative thinking magnified through sound is the best synopsis of what this one man show has to offer. Born and raised in New Jersey, F low’s spoken word style blends poetry and Hip Hop in an explosive manner. Flow is a true entertainer using his poetry to turn everyday life situations into intellectual journies. Flow, a 1999 Nuyorican semi-finalist, a 2000 New Jersey Word Supremacy finalist, and the 1st member of the 2001 New Jersey national slam team, is no stranger to slam poetry. Flow is at the forefront of New Jersey’s poetic renaissance with his two self-released spoken word CD’s entitled “ Drama Uncut “ and “Poetic Enemy #1". Flowmentalz deals with everday situations and expresses them in a humorous, yet thought provoking manner and is soon to be seen on two season of “ Russell Simmons’ HBO Def Poetry Jam” now airing.
Bill Hemmer is a journalist who spent ten years at CNN before moving to the Fox News Channel in August 2005. Before Hemmer left CNN in June 2005, he and Soledad O'Brien were the anchors on American Morning, CNN's flagship morning news program. Hemmer started with this program in 2002. While at CNN, Hemmer also anchored CNN Tonight, CNN Early Edition as well as CNN Morning News/CNN Live Today. Hemmer was scheduled to debut on Fox News on Monday, August 29, 2005, but started a day early to assist with the cable network's coverage of Hurricane Katrina. He is currently hosting the 12:00 p.m. ET edition of Fox News Live weekdays.
Cross Canadian Ragweed Cross Canadian Ragweed is an alternative country band of the Red Dirt scene, formed in Yukon, Oklahoma, in 1994, comprising of frontman/guitarist Cody Canada, drummer Randy Ragsdale, rhythm guitarist Grady Cross, and bassist Jeremy Plato. The band's name comes from a combination of all four original members' names: Grady Cross, Cody Canada, Randy Ragsdale and (original bassist) Matt Wiedemann. There is a common misconception that the name is a reference to the Canadian River, which runs through Oklahoma and Texas. After forming, they moved to the college town of Stillwater, Oklahoma, where acts like Mike McClure's The Great Divide and singer-songwriter Jimmy LaFave had established enough of a local scene to earn Stillwater the nickname "North Austin" (or, depending on your perspective, "West Nashville"). Known as much for their never-ending tours (200+ shows per year) as their vocal support for marijuana (the song "The Boys from Oklahoma" is entirely about marijuana and is also one of the band's most famous songs, despite not being written by them.), the group had already received significant college radio airplay before it released its first album, Highway 377 and Live and Loud at the Wormy Dog, both in 2001, as well as Carney in 2002, with Underground Sounds, before switching to Smith Music Group for Live and Loud at Billy Bob's Texas. The group occasionally tours with Willie Nelson. With the release of a self-titled album also known as the Purple album due to its cover color, which is a tribute to the band's "little sister" Mandi Ragsdale who had recently died in an auto accident and that was her favorite color, the band moved into the mainstream eye. Their 2004 offering Soul Gravy debuted at #4 on The Billboard charts. The band frequently plays with country music star Dierks Bentley, "Texas Country" star Pat Green, "Texas Country" up and comer Jesse Brand and other stars of the Red Dirt music scene including Reckless Kelly, Stoney LaRue, and Robert Earl Keen. In October 2005, the band released their album Garage, which featured the single "Fightin' For." The band released a Live CD/DVD combo on October 31, 2006. Back To Tulsa - Live and Loud at Cain's Ballroom" is the title of the CD/DVD. The bands performance of the show at Cain's Ballroom will be shown on HDNet starting on November 5, 2006.
The Spy Who Knew Too Much Award-winning, investigative reporter and political journalist, Elliot Goldenberg is the author of The Spy Who Knew Too Much: The Government Plot to Silence Jonathan Pollard; and The Hunting Horse: The truth Behind the Jonathan Pollard Spy Case, a controversial new book about the United States Government's plot to silence Jonathan Pollard. This book tells the story of Jonathan Pollard, a former civilian Navy Intelligence analyst who passed classified United States military secrets to the State of Israel, and in so doing, unwittingly uncovered a secret United States polity, allegedly overseen by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, that was designed to weaken Israel and strengthen the hand of her enemies in the Arab world. As a result, Pollard's greatest crime may not have been what he did for Israel - his greatest crime may have been that he got too close to the truth.
Raiders of the Lost Ark Professor Eric Meyers, a leading biblical archaeologist, has been hailed as the real-life Indiana Jones, the archaeologist/hero of Raiders Of The Lost Ark. His fascinating slide lecture compares and contrasts his discovery of the oldest sacred ark ever found with the movie's version of that event.
Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai is a Chinese/Taiwanese American spoken word artist, playwright, essayist, and choreographer who strengthens cultural pride and survival through how she lives and how she spits. She has been featured at over 170 performances across the country including venues like the Nuyorican Poets the House of Blues, the Apollo Theater in Harlem, and two seasons of ?Russell Simmons Presents HBO Def Poetry.? Splitting her homes between Chicago and Brooklyn, Kelly tours the country extensively as a spoken word artist and as a performer and organizer for the ?We Got Issues!? civic transformation and performance project. She also toured nationally for five years as a founding collective member of Mango Tribe. She is the author of two self-published chapbooks Inside Outside Outside Inside and Thought Crimes. Her first full-length play, ?Murder the Machine,? was excerpted at Chicago?s first Hip Hop Theater Festival.
Will Da~Real One Bell Will Bell, "Da~RealOne," is a spoken word artist, host and promotional director who grew up in the Liberty Projects of Miami. He has performed throughout the U.S., from Baltimore to San Diego, D.C. to Birmingham, Los Angeles to Virginia. Last year he won the international Word Olympics in Ottawa, Canada, and came in second at the U.S. National Poetry Slam. He currently hosts a weekly spoken word night at the Literary Café in North Miami, which he co-owns. Bell also leads workshops in self-expression at Miami penitentiaries.
Shihan "He's a great poet, great writer, great performance artist... Shihan's the shit!" - Russell Simmons "Everybody knows how Shihan gets down... People should definitely listen up!... I like his style - he reminds me a little bit of me." - Mos Def.. Poet / Hip-hop artist extraordinaire Shihan has been featured on multiple episodes of HBO's Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry and also serves as Talent Coordinator for the show. He was recently featured at the HBO Comedy Arts Festival, The Essense Music Festival (in which he opened for Alicia Keys) and the Soul Beach Music Festival (in which he opened for Musiq Soulchild.) Shihan has been co-hosting Da' Poetry Lounge, the nation's largest open mic in Hollywood for the past 7 years and is currently touring as a cast member in the Def Poetry Jam 3.0 International Tour. This very busy man is also the official producer of Word Fest at the next Pan African Film Festival (the world's largest and most prestigious black film festival), and is currently working with rap legend KRS-One on soon-to-be-released tracks. Groove Gravy Records is proud to present Shihan‚s official commercial debut "The Poet." The album consists of material recorded over the past 3 years. 15 tracks moving from traditional hip-hop to acapela poetry, with 4 brand new gems, produced by Jazzelicious, including a collaboration with legendary electronica chameleon Ursula Rucker. His ability to transcend cultural and generational boundaries has made Shihan a unique lyrical talent. It's hip-hop the way only a few can deliver - intelligent, free flowing, funky as can be, and with plenty of substance and style.
Brig. Gen. Yehiel Gozal Brig/ Gen. Yehiel Gozal, who now serves as national director in the United States of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. A far greater threat—on which Israel is spending considerable resources to counter—is Iran's determined effort to become a nuclear power. Also can be seen on FoxNews.
Dr. Ro Dr. Rovenia Brock is America’s most renowned African American nutritionist and author of the national best-seller, Dr. Ro’s Ten Secrets To Livin’ Healthy. She hosted “Heart & Soul,” the first ever national health and fitness television show for African American women which aired on BET. She is a familiar face on MSNBC, CNN, and previously on the nationally syndicated “Queen Latifah Show”, and on “The Tavis Smiley Show” on NPR. Her nutrition and health expertise has been featured online on WebMD and in publications that include O Magazine, Ebony, Essence, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, Today’s Black Woman, Heart and Soul, Black Elegance, and Vibe. Dr. Ro holds a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences and an M.S. degree in Community Nutrition and Broadcast Journalism from Howard University. She is a native of Washington, DC and is a member of The National Association of Black Journalists.
Ari and Jeremy Ari & Jeremy, commander and soldier in the Israeli Army reserves, have protected every border of The Land of Israel from Lebanon to Gaza. As religious Zionist Jews, they merge their comprehensive understanding of the Bible and Jewish history with their experiences in the battlefield and the forefront of Israeli activism. Ari and Jeremy are coming to share the truth about the situation in Israel and will be discussing a broad array of topics including the cease fire between Israel and the Hezbollah, the Iranian Nuclear build up, and the spiritual roots of the conflict in the Middle East. Open to discussing any issues from the political, religious, and philosophical realms, Ari & Jeremy are coming to infuse clarity and understanding into a complex and volatile situation that will inevitably have monumental effects on the entire world. Commander and Soldier in the Israel Defense Force reserves. Hosts of "A Light Unto the Nations", the #1 radio show on Israel National Radio. Columnists for the Jerusalem Post and Arutz Sheva. Founders of Shema Israel - a Jerusalem-based movement dedicated to bringing the Bible back to the Nation of Israel.
Traditional Aztec Fire Dancers The phrase In Tlanextli Tlacopan? is a nahuatl term meaning En El Esplandor de Tlacopan? in Spanish or ?In the Splendor of Tlacopan? in English. Our group is named such because our Aztec (Mexicah) traditions come from the barrio of Tlacopan (today known as ?Tacuba?). Our dances (5 to 7 dancers) represent the splendor of our Mexicah culture. Through these dances, we honor our Native American and Mexicah ancestors, and preserve our historical and cultural Mexicah identities. Our group is a family-based one, composed mainly of Tellez Family members. My entire family, including brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews are from Tlacopan (Tacuba). We have all learned the tradition of Aztec Dancing or ?La Danza Azteca? from our barrio in Tlacopan (Tacuba) since we were children and we continue to participate in important Aztec (Mexicah) ceremonies. We have presented our culture though our dances throughout the U.S., including New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Through our presentations at powwows or other community events, we try to share our culture with other people. We want people to know the splendor of the Aztec peoples is alive and well and not an imagination from the past. We hope you will become a part of that experience.
Lemon LEMON regular on HBO’s “Def Poetry,” an original cast member from the Tony Award winning Def Poetry Jam on Broadway and a Drama Desk nominee, has traveled the spoken word and theatre scene for the last eight years. He recently shot two movies with Spike Lee, “Sucker Free City” for Showtime and Spike’s latest film She Hate Me, as well as performing as lead in a short film heading for Sundance next summer called Avenging Angel. His theatre credits include Slanguage, which he co-wrote with Universes, a poetry theatre group directed by Jo Bonney at the New York Theatre workshop. Other Off-Broadway appearances include “The Ride” at PS 122 and Andy Warhol Museum; U (Slanguage) Workshop, Mark Taper Forum, The Painted Bride. Lemon has also taught performance workshops at different universities, colleges and venues including Harvard, Princeton, and UMASS. He has performed all over the country including Joe’s Pub, The Labyrinth Theatre, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and Sing Sing Prison to name a few.
Poetri POETRI was one of the the first poets featured on “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry” on HBO and has also been seen on ABC, NBC, BET, MTV and VH-1. He then moved on to become one of the stars of the critically acclaimed cast of the Tony Award winning “Def Poetry Jam on Broadway”. His unique voice can also be heard in the skies on Delta Radio. He is featured on the Special Edition DVD of “Belly” by Hype Williams. Poetri is the host of the largest and hottest weekly poetry venue in the world, Da’ Poetry Lounge, which has greatly broadened the appeal of poetry in L.A. and become a place for people to express their emotions. He has written, produced, performed on and arranged more than 150 commercials for radio and television for NFL Films, BET and Nike. He has been published in four books, including the multi-award-winning Soul of the Game. In addition to touring the nation as a spokenword artist, Poetri co-wrote and toured in the play Dear Child. Also in the theater, he is completing work on the hip-hop musical “Ball”, where he is writing the poetry and songs for the show. Poetri also co-executive produced a soundtrack CD called “The Truth.” Poetri is doing so much that he should own his own website...oh, he does...
J. Ivy J. Ivy With a strong desire to be a pioneer, J. Ivy was the first African-American to represent Chicago on the award winning Russell Simmons' HBO Def Poetry during the first season. After years of paying dues, he was invited back to the Def Poetry stage for the fourth season, where he performed his heartfelt poem "Dear Father" and was featured in the shows award winning promos. He has recorded with the RZA of the infamous Wu-Tang Clan, and with super-producer Kanye West for his triple platinum/Grammy nominated album, The College Dropout, where his is featured on a song with Hip-Hop legend Jay-Z. He was seen in a cameo performance, where he played ?Jesus? in Kanye's 3 rd version of his hit single ?Jesus Walks? video. He has done voice-over work for HBO Boxing, several MTV shows - "Who's Got Game," Snoop Dogg's Televizzle, and MTV2's 2004 New Year's Eve Bash. J. Ivy has also hosted the Big Easy Poetry Slam held at the House of Blues in New Orleans , during the Essence Jazz Festival. He appeared on a special edition of B.E.T.'s Lyric Caf and performed in several cities for the national Essence Magazine/Nissan's Electric Moyo Tour, as well as extensively on the college touring circuit. He was featured in several magazines, such as Complex and Mugshot, for Mecca 's national ad campaign. He has also performed at the internationally acclaimed Apollo Theatre, contributed work for the NBA Finals, and is currently completing work on his forthcoming book; "I'm Not That Good With Words" and his next album, "Izn't It Ivyous." Most recently J. Ivy was seen on ABC where he performed several pieces for the BCS Selection Show, The All-America Team Show hosted by Dean Kane, and the FedEx national championship game, The Orange Bowl, which was viewed by over 20 million viewers. He can also be heard on The Hip-Hop Violinist, Miri Ben-Ari's upcoming album, as well as other special features.
Mums Mums Def Poetry HBO / OZ HBO The character ‘Poet’, on the critically acclaimed Emmy nominated HBO prison drama OZ, was created specifically for Mums by series creator Tom Fontana. In OZ, Mums, original poetic creations serve as the universal narrative voice of the prison population.In addition to his recurring HBO role, Mums has performed across the U.S. and Europe, on the Lolapalooza tours, as well as performing on the New York slam team that was the focus of the documentary Slamnation,. Last year Mums was prominently featured in Spike Lee’s film Bamboozled,. In 1999, he appeared in Martin Scorcese’s Bringing Out the Dead with Nicolas Cage and Ving Raimes. You will be seeing Mums this year in OZ, as well as HBO’s Behind the Scenes Look at Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam’. Mums will also be appearing on the Def Poetry Jam college tour.
The Real World Denver The Real World: Denver is the eighteenth season of MTV's popular reality television series The Real World, which focuses on seven strangers living together for several months in a different city each season, as cameras follow their lives and interpersonal relationships. The cast members are living in Denver's LoDo neighborhood in a recently renovated building which previously housed the B-52 Billiards, located at 1920 Market St. The announcement of the location came as a surprise to many, since it was anticipated that the eighteenth season would be filmed in Detroit rather than Denver [2]. The Denver season is expected to follow the format of the past seventeen seasons. Filming began in early June 2006 and was expected to end sometime in late-September (or about 17 weeks). In August 2006 it was reported that the crew would finish production on August 29 because it had enough footage. The Denver Post is publishing a blog that follow the production. It includes sightings as well as descriptions of the cast members. The local weekly paper "Westword" also staged a fake Real World productionwhere they spent a night at local bars with a phony filming crew, security team, producers and seven person cast. The video tapedstunt fooled hundreds of bargoers and got the attention of the New York Times in an article about reality shows.
Hinder Hinder is a rock group signed under Universal Records. Hinder leans to the pop-grunge style of Nickelback and Puddle of Mudd. The rock band formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 2002, when guitarist Joe Garvey and drummer Cody Hanson discovered Austin Winkler singing for a cover band. Cody says he was "blown away" and "has the kind of charisma very few people have and that unique voice. You can't really compare him to anybody." The band was then formed as what would be Hinder. They were immediately signed to an independent label, and released their first EP, Far From Close. It sold about 5,000 copies. This EP landed into the ears of Universal Records, in which Hinder was introduced into a major record label contract. Although All Music Guide claims Extreme Behavior was one of the years worst albums, thoroughout 2005, the album was heavily anticipated, and Hinder won the monthy Launch! "Who's Next" contest for emerging bands. Their Brian Howes and Mike Fraser produced album, Extreme Behavior, was then set for release in the US. Since then, the band has toured with Theory of a Deadman as well as with Buckcherry. Recently, they have been touring with Three Days Grace, Hoobastank and Chevelle. , Hinder jumped on to the rock scene with the single, 'Get Stoned.' The band then toured in support of Extreme Behavior. The band's second single, "Lips of an Angel", became a smash hit as the song made its way up the charts and the band received nationwide attention. The band's third single from their debut album became "How Long". Rehearsals.com is showing several video performances of these singles.
Immortal Technique Felipe Coronel better known as Immortal Technique, is a hip hop MC and political activist. Most of his songs focus on social justice, covering a wide variety of topics such as urban poverty in the US and international economic inequality (especially in Latin America), protest against the imprisonment of Mumia Abu-Jamal, militarism and the military industrial complex in the U.S., U.S. complicity in the September 11, 2001 attacks, media bias in favor of conservative and corporate interests, and racism (especially in regards to the mistreatment of people of color in the U.S.). Although he has been offered a deal with at least one major music label, he has never signed to any, since disagreements over the political content of his songs could could arise. Immortal Technique has also voiced a desire to keep control over his production, and has made statements in his music that he is very aware that it is record companies, not the artists themselves, who profit the most from mass production and marketing of music. He releases his music on and is also the President and A&R of Viper Records. To reach wider audiences, Immortal Technique's next projects will be distributed by Babygrande Records.
Ne-Yo Ne-Yo is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is best known by his stage name, Ne-Yo. He is currently signed to Def Jam Records. He was previously best known for co-writing Mario's 2004 number one hit "Let Me Love You" before he began a recording career of his own in 2005. Ne-Yo's debut album, In My Own Words, was released in early 2006 and debuted at number one on The Billboard 200, selling 301,000 copies in the first week. During the same period, Ne-Yo's second single "So Sick" (produced by Stargate) became the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Ne-Yo also wrote Rihanna's Top 10 hit, "Unfaithful". Recently he was featured on Ghostface's single "Back Like That".
Ozomatli In July of the first year of the new millennium, with the summer sun hot and blazing on thousands in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, it all changed for Ozomatli. The Democratic National Convention was in town, Bill Clinton was across the street, the barricades were up, and the crowd that Ozo faced were all looking for a soundtrack to the protest that had brought them there. Ozo gave them one song, the cops pulled the plug, and the rubber bullets started to fly. It had been three years since recording their debut, and in the middle of yet another explosion direct from the LA streets, it became immediately clear that the booming multicultural block party of their new album was being born right before their eyes. Embrace the Chaos: chapter two in Ozomatli's plot to let the world know that the future of urban America is already here, already singing, and already dancing salsa to a hip hop samba. "The DNC really impacted us," says tenor sax player Ulises Bella. "When we were there, we were given a lot of energy from the people who were there to protest, how they felt about our involvement in the protests. It was really inspiring. The negative part of it was how this group of people was just shut down. There was just a hand around a throat saying "you can't say this anymore." It was right at the moment when Clinton was giving his speech about how great America was. The irony of it, the cynicism of it, all of it influenced us. That's why we called the album Embrace the Chaos, accepting the fucked up things of the world but wanting to change them." The DNC show was the last with the band's original alto sax player, only one of the personnel changes the band has gone through since releasing their debut-- an album that established this polyglot Black-Chicano-Cuban-Japanese-Jewish-Filipino crew as a band committed to social change and community-building through the party pleasures of musical collision ("Ozomatli" is Nahuatl for the Aztec god of dance).
Ludacris Ludacris is a Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. Born in Illinois, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he eventually made a name for himself, first as a Radio DJ and then as one of the most prominent Southern rappers.
The Native Spirit Dancers The Native Spirit Dancers were formed by Brian Hammill in 1997 as a way to share native culture and dance with various people from all across the United States as well as overseas. The Native Spirit dancers are based out of Phoenix Arizona; however the dancers represent various nations from all across the United States as well as Canada. Through their unique style of education and Humor, Native Spirit is able to enrich the lives of those people that they encounter.Brian Hammill is a member of the Ho-chunk nation from southern Wisconsin and a proud veteran of the United States Army. He is an accomplished hoop dancer, constantly ranked among the top 10 in the world. His performance includes many intricate maneuvers creating various symbols significant in his life. He was born and raised in Benton, Wisconsin and now resides in Phoenix, AZ. We are able to provide a variety of dance shows using many of the different dances that you will find below. The explanations for these dances are from the knowledge and experiences of Brian Hammill. Throughout the United States and Canada, there are many different versions of the origins for many of the dances. The Native American culture is a living culture. Our people as well as the dances are constantly changing and evolving. These dances have strong roots in history as well as signs of modern influence.The dances that we share are known as social or intertribal dances. As people of the first nations we belong to a living and growing culture the dances are presented as they are portrayed today at our social events all across the country. The styles listed below are just a few of the ones that our people are blessed with. And eager to share with you.
Yue-Sai Kan Entrepreneur, Author, Journalist and Humanitarian Yue-Sai Kan is perhaps the most famous woman in China today. A unique combination of entrepreneur, best-selling author, television journalist, and humanitarian, Kan has been honored in Monaco as a "Leading Woman Entrepreneur of the World" and in Fortune magazine as one of the five most influential women in China. She is also the only living American to have a Chinese postage stamp bear her likeness. Kan is the founder of the first major beauty products company in ChinaŃYue-Sai Kan CosmeticsŃwhich she later sold to L'Oreal. Always an innovator, Kan also produced and hosted the first television documentaries to promote East/West relations, including the Emmy Award-winning China Walls and Bridges. She now hosts Yue-Sai's World, a series that brings the latest international lifestyle trends to over one billion Chinese viewers. An ardent supporter of education for the underprivileged, Kan has established a fund to build schools in China and provide scholarships to gifted female students.
T.I. T.I. is from the streets of Westside Bankhead Zone 1. His original stage name, T.I.P., stems from his childhood nickname "Tip", which he got from his grandfather. Due to his southern drawl, many fans mistook his name for "Chip", so he began spelling it out "T.I.P". During this time, T.I.P was also popularly known to be the acronym of "Ten Inch Playa," denoting Harris' generous anatomic endowment. Upon signing with Arista Records subsidiary LaFace Records in 2001, he shortened his name to T.I. out of respect for label mate Q-Tip. He is also known to go by "Rubberband Man" and the self-proclaimed "King of the South" (which has created several cases of controversy between other southern rappers, such as Lil' Flip and Ludacris).T.I. has four children. Their names are Messiah "Ya'Majesty" Harris, Damani Uriah Harris, Deyjah Harris, and Clifford Joseph "King" Harris III, he also claims Tiny's daughter, Zonnique Pullins as his own.He is the leader of a rap group known as P$C (Pimp Squad Click). His debut album I'm Serious was released through Arista Records in 2001, which spawned the single of the same title which featured reggae vocalist Beenie Man. His debut album included Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes (who named him the Jay-Z of the south), Jazze Pha and Youngbloodz. However, the album did not sell very well, and he was dropped from the label. Undaunted, he formed Grand Hustle Records and released several mixtapes with the assistance of DJ Drama, which created an underground buzz. He resurfaced in the summer of 2003 on Bonecrusher's song "Neva Scared". He parlayed this attention towards the release of his second album, Trap Muzik. It was more of a success than his debut album because of the singles "24s", "Be Easy", "Rubber Band Man", and "Let's Get Away". The success of the album was followed by some controversy: while on tour, T.I. was charged with violating his probation over a 2003 drug charge, and turned himself in. He was sentenced to three years in prison. While there he was granted rights to film the music video for "Let's Get Away".
Anthem ANTHEM 2006 NACA Northern Plains Showcase Alternate 2006 NACA National Showcase 2005 NACA Central Showcase 2005 NACA Mid-Atlantic Showcase 2004 NACA Northeast Showcase Spanning decades and cultures, the six members of Anthem combine boundless energy and diverse musical influences to showcase their own brand of reggae on their debut CD on Mack Avenue Records. Anthem?s tight harmonies and solid musical sensibilities stem, in part, from the fact that three of the band?s members come from the same musical family. Their Jamaican heritage is the seed from which their reggae roots spread, but each of the various members also adds his own experience and influences to the mix. Anthem is comprised of rappers and producers, R&B singers and old-fashioned rock and rollers, making them a band all their own. Their members have been seen on everything from Puff Daddy?s ?Making the Band? on MTV to having their songs featured on B.E.T?s, ?Soul Food?. Positive and pop, roots and soulful, energetic and seductive?Are you ready for Anthem?
God Made Me Funky GOD MADE ME FUNKY 2005 COCA National Showcase God Made Me Funky (GMMF) is the Funky live collective, out of Toronto, Ontario, comprised of a diverse array of musicians ranging from classically trained Jazz artists to street schooled Hip-Hop and RnB vocalists, all of which share the common bond of moving crowds and bringing the Funk in to the next millennium. Consisting of Vocalist - Wayne Tennant (Snow, Eclectic Soul), Rapper - PHATT al (Len, Raggadeath), Keys - Neil Shankman, Bass - Calvin Beale (Jully Black, Ivanna Santilli), Guitar - Oliver Johnson (Ivanna Santilli, Glenn Lewis), Trumpet - Mark Jarvis (Big Rude Jake, Fuzzy Love), Sax - Arthur Kerekes (Monkey), and Drums - Alan Witz (Funky Hi-Life, Millhouse); GMMF has been widely recognized in the Toronto music scene for thier highly energetic and outstanding original music and live remixes of Funk, Soul, RnB, and Hip-Hop classics. Formed in 1996 GMMF started out as an instrumental Funk fusion experiment. As the bands popularity grew vocalists were added to increase the range of songs the band could cover. Influences such as: Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Sly and the Family Stone, Michael Jackson, Jamiroquai, the Roots, and D'Angelo were remixed with a 'new school' sound. Now, after sharing the stage with such notable artists as Julie McKnight, Herbie Koffman, and Divine Earth Essence; And having played at North By North East, The Beaches Jazz Festival, Canadaian Music Week, countless fundraisers, and club gigs road testing the new original material to great response, GMMF has taken it to the studio. Recording their debut album, titled "God Mad Me Funky". The disc brings the pure musical energy of a live GMMF stage show combined with the superbly funky song writing of the band and lays down original recordings in the new grand tradition of the Modern Funk Movement. The first single "Subway" is set to be released to radio in Spring 2005, with the video shot by Matt Long (Ivana Santilli) @ Action Media; And has been chosen by the Parmelat Group (of Dairy Products) to be featured in their new "Pure Filter Milk" campaign.
Orquesta Sabor Tropical SABOR TROPICAL Orquesta Sabor Tropical is both a high-energy salsa band and classic Afro-Cuban orchestra, bringing large doses of excitement, romance, feeling, and caribbean swing to their concerts. Sabor Tropical blends TROPICAL, Big-band Latin, retro-Cuban, Salsa and original jazz to create a non-stop, fully choreographed show. Sabor Tropical features the sultry voice of lead singer Maya Santamaria, the contemporary improvisational skills of singer/dancer Leo Burdier as well as the romantic, humid voice of Raffy Castillo. The orchestra also features a powerhouse 4-piece horn section, an infectious percussion section led by musical director Rey Rivera (NY) and a tight rhythm section. Sabor Tropical has been called the "Hottest Latin Orchestra" by the local salsa-dancing community because of the youthful energy and choreography the group brings to the stage. The repertoire of the orchestra features salsa, rumba, son montuno, guaracha, cumbia, bolero, cha-cha, jazz, bachata and other latin rhythms. Their first demo, "Llegó La Sabrosa," featuring Maya Santamaria, was based on the work of a number of retro-Cuban female legends such as Mercedita Valdez and Lourdes Torres from the 40s and 50s. Her new music from this CD won Maya the "Best New Artist" award from the salsaartists.com competition in October 2001 at Universal City, California. In addition, this year Sabor Tropical's lead singer Maya won La Prensa de Minnesota's "Community Artist of the Year" Award and the prestigious Sally Ordway Irwin Award for Innitiative. With a touch of American crossover mixed in, the cd is currently under negotiation with some major labels. In addition to this original repertoire, Orquesta Sabor Tropical has developed a totally power-packed repertoire designed for the dancers! Extremely versatile, this is the band for any occasion.
NATIVE PRIDE DANCERS featuring Larry Yazzie NATIVE PRIDE DANCERS featuring Larry Yazzie Larry Yazzie (Meskwaki/Dine) is a World Champion Fancy Dancer who consistently takes top honors at American Indian powwows in the United States and Canada. In 1995, he won the World Championship for the Northern Style Fancy Dance. Larry was raised at the Meskwaki Nation’s homeland in Tama, Iowa (USA). At the age of seven he took up Fancy Dancing. The Fancy Dance is beloved for its flamboyant and colorful regalia, as well as for the physical challenge it poses for powwow competition dancers. Creativity and endurance are tested by song after song at an up-beat tempo. His repertoire also features the grass, horse tail, shield, buffalo, and traditional dances. Since he was in his early teens, Larry has been competing in the powwow category. As a performer, Larry has toured the United States, Canada, and Europe. In 1994, with the Foxwoods Dance Troupe, he performed in France, Poland, Finland, and Russia at the Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg. With the Discover Native American Dance Troupe, he performed at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games. In 1998, he danced in the motion picture Grey Owl with actor Pierce Brosnan. In 1999, he was featured with the Lakota Dance Troupe at the Native American Film Awards in Los Angeles. In 2001 he co-produced an innovative collaboration with Keith Secola and The Wild Band of Indians, combining Native American dance with contemporary native folk, and blues. In 2001 Larry became an original member of the Kevin Locke Trio.
SALSA MAGIC SALSA MAGIC 2006 NACA National Showcase Alternate 2005 NACA Central Showcase 2005 NACA Mid-America Showcase 2005 NACA Mid-Atlantic Showcase Alternate 2005 NACA South Showcase 2005 NACA Mid-Atlantic Festival Showcase 2005 NACA Northern Plains Showcase 2005 NACA National Showcase 2004 NACA West Showcase 2004 NACA Northeast Showcase 2004 NACA South Showcase Alternate 2004 NACA Mid-America Showcase Alternate 2004 NACA L.I.F.E. Conference Showcase Alternate Featured on Fox Television's Ambush Makeover (Watch it on Feb. 22nd and Apr. 6th) There is only one EXCITING, INTERACTIVE LATIN DANCE PARTY on the College Market that will have your students begging for more!!! SalsaMagic College Interactive Latin Dance Party and Light Show with Lee & Florcita, have performed around the world with a one of a kind College Themed Dance Party that simply can’t be missed. Featured on Fox Television's Ambush Makeover, they have created an affordably priced, unique, interactive show and dance party, which will have you asking the question; why go to a club when you can have it come to your campus? You provide the students and dance floor and leave the rest to Salsa Magic. You get THREE HOURS OF NON STOP ENTERTAINMENT. Watch as Lee & Florcita dance their award winning Salsa Routine with unbelievable heart stopping flips, dips, lifts and moves that will have you asking yourself, IS HE REALLY WHITE! Students will interact and learn the NEWEST HOTTEST SALSA MOVES as they dance with one another as well as Lee & Florcita. ALL FOR AWESOME PRIZES: CD PLAYERS, CDS, BLING BLING LIGHTS AND SALSAMAGIC POSTERS. THIS SHOW IS COMPLETELY SELF CONTAINED, NO LIGHTING TECH, NO SOUND TECH, JUST STUDENTS READY TO HAVE AN AWESOME TIME!!! After the lessons and Dance Show Washington D.C.s own DJ Gringito will continue the Club party by lighting up the dance floor with the HOTTEST AND NEWEST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY LIGHTING spinning the best in Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaton, Reggae, International, Hip Hop and Top 40. Whatever your flavor DJ Gringito will have it. Florcita will keep everyone moving and grooving from beginning to end. Lee & Florcita have won countless awards (National Finalist in the Washington D.C. Ortanique Salsa Challenge and winners of the Natura Park Salsa Competition, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic) They have performed in Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and colleges across the country who are raving: We have never had this many students at a special events showcase, you guys rock! NACA West Official The