Divine Rhythm News>
Divine Rhythm News

December 13, 2007

Master Musician Carlos "Patato" Valdez Dies at 81 
 
On December 4, 2007, a renowned musician, innovative 
conguero, and 
Latin Percussion design collaborator, Carlos Valdez, whom 
the world 
knew affectionately as "Patato", died of respiratory 
failure. A Cuban 
of diminutive stature, born November 4, 1926, he generated 
an enormous 
tonal presence on congas that belied his modest size. And 
that rings 
especially true in light of his passing. Now we shiver when 
hearing 
recordings that display his monumental sound, the very 
thing death 
cannot claim. 
As a youth, he was well known from Cuban television 
appearances, in 
which he combined a theatrical flare, sometimes dancing 
around and 
atop his congas, always maintaining solid musicality. 
Emigrating from 
Cuba to New York in 1955, co-sponsored by Candido and Mongo 
Santamaria, he quickly saw action with Kenny Dorham, Tito  
Puente, 
Herbie Mann, Dizzy Gillespie, and most major Latin and 
jazz figures 
of the day. 
His melodic intentions frustrated by traditional 
fixed-tension 
instruments, Patato pioneered the first tunable congas, 
which he put 
to good use accompanying the great band leaders with 
melodic lines in 
addition to the customary indigenous rhythms. Soon after 
he became a 
close friend of LP founder Martin Cohen and advised Martin 
on a 
variety of technical and design issues. The two were bound 
by an 
implicit trust and passion for Latin music. Their 
collaboration 
resulted in the LP Patato Model Congas, which became among 
the 
top-selling congas of all time. 
Patato's dramatic style garnered him a role in the classic 
Brigitte 
Bardot film And God Made Woman. Here Patato gives the film  
goddess a 
lesson in dancing the mambo. 
Patato was also well-recognized for his contributions to 
Latin music 
and culture. The Puerto Rican Jazz Festival, the 
International Latin 
Music Hall of Fame, and the New York Hispanic 
Entertainment 
Journalists were three among a distinguished list of 
institutions that 
recognized Patato's lifetime achievements with awards. 
Many recordings, on the LP and other labels, showcase 
Patato's 
musicality. Examples on LP are Ready for Freddy and 
Authority. But 
two revered ensembles most clearly express Patato's 
legacy—his 
indelible touch, organic tone, and sense of musical 
communion. One is 
the Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble, assembled by LP  
founder Martin 
Cohen, which immortalized another LP artist, the late Tito 
Puente, 
documented on the recording Live at Montreux 1980. The 
other is a 
later collaboration, The Conga Kings, in which Patato 
performed with 
fellow icons Candido Camero and Giovanni Hidalgo, 
recording several 
significant albums. It was with the Conga Kings that Carlos 
"Patato" 
Valdez performed his last concert. 
His melodic musical contribution and dancing legacy live 
on, as do the 
LP congas bearing his name. Latin Percussion mourns his 
passing. 
Indeed, we shed a tear for our friend, collaborator and 
inspiration, 
Carlos "Patato" Valdez. 
=================================================== 
 
On Monday, December 10, the dance worlds of Ballet, Tap, 
Modern, 
Contemporary, Jazz, and Broadway converged on the stage of 
Cedar Lake 
(527 West 26th Street, New York City) for the latest 
edition of "Dance 
from the Heart," the yearly one night only dance experience 
benefiting 
Dancers Responding to AIDS (DRA) a fundraising program of 
Broadway 
Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. 
 
"Dance from Heart" was hosted by multi award winning 
choreographer and 
dance visionary Bill T. Jones, who recently added Tony 
Award for his 
choreography in the Broadway musical Spring Awakening to 
his already 
full mantle of accolades. This year's edition of "Dance 
from the 
Heart" featured a roster of ten internationally acclaimed 
artists and 
dance companies including American Ballet Theatre, Atlanta 
Ballet, 
Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Martha Graham Dance 
Company, Keigwin + 
Company, Paradigm, Wendy Seyb, Shen Wei Dance Arts, Jason 
Samuels 
Smith, and members of the cast of Disney's The Lion King on 
Broadway. 
 
"Dance from Heart" was made possible in part, thanks to the 
generous 
support of DRA's Corporate Sponsors: The New York Times, 
Continental 
Airlines, MAC AIDS Fund, NEXT Magazine, Cedar Lake 
Contemporary 
Ballet, BV, Movmnt Magazine, christiania Vodka and Passport 
Magazine. 
 
Founded by Denise Roberts Hurlin and Hernando Cortez, 
Dancers 
Responding to AIDS is a program of Broadway Cares/Equity 
Fights AIDS 
(BC/EFA), the nation's leading industry-based AIDS funding 
and 
grant-making organization. The funds raised are distributed 
to seven 
programs of The Actors Fund and as grants to over 400 AIDS 
and family 
service organizations across the United States. Since its 
founding in 
1988, BC/EFA has distributed over $140 million for 
critically needed 
services for people with AIDS, HIV, or HIV-related 
illnesses. 
 
For more information on DRA, visit www.dradance.org. For 
more 
information on BC/EFA or to make a donation visit 
www.bcefa.org 
=================================================== 
 
EXPERIENCE ROBIN'S F.A.C.E. in action 
with our very own Guest Panelist 
Vocal Diva & Coach – 
Carole Sylvan 
Saturday, December 15th, 3:30-6:00pm (New! Time) 
The Final '07 Workshop 
Be One of Our Audience Members. 
 
Reserve Now for the extra low advance fee!!! 
$5.00 in advance 
$7.00 at the door 
 
We look forward to seeing you there. 
For Location and other information: email us 
edent1304@aol.com 
Videography and Special Thanks to 
Marc Levine and Marc Miller of SCENE Interactive 
 
All the best, 
:) R... 
Robin Dunn 
-E.D. Entertainment 
-Robin Dunn's F.A.C.E. 
-E.D. P & P 
(212) 642-8188 Telephone 
(212) 265-3633 Fax 
edent1304@aol.com 
www.myspace.com/birddance 
………………………………………………. 
ALSO DON'T FORGET 
 
ROBIN WILL BE TEACHING 
ABSOLUTE BEGINNER 
HIP HOP 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14TH 
 
ROBIN really breaks it down teaching 
Absolute Beginner Hip Hop 
Friday, 12/14/07 
7:15-8:30pm 
Sign In 7:00pm 
 
PLEASE RESERVE NOW ***LIMITED CAPACITY 
For Location and other info: 
email edent1304@aol.com 
or call 212 642-8188 
 
SO GET IN CLASS AND HAVE SOME 
ENERGIZING 
HOLID AY FUN 
WITH ROBIN!!! 
=================================================== 
 
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=================================================== 
New Jersey Tap Dance Ensemble Announces 
New website launch www.njtap.org 
 
 
Bloomfield, NJ - December 12, 2007 - NJTAP proudly 
announces the launch of our new website. Visit 
www.njtap.org to see the exciting new design, and get the 
latest information about upcoming performances and 
programs. See company pictures and video clips of the 
dancers, read about the NJTAP artists and programs and 
contact us. Friends of NJTAP can sign up for our mailing 
list, and support the company via on-line contributions. 
While you are visiting the new www.njtap.org, please let us 
know what you think! 
 
Visit our website to see where NJTAP is dancing this 
winter! 
 
We have holiday  
performances coming 
up - find out how you  
can brighten your  
winter with NJTAP's 
dynamic artists.  
 
Check out our  
web-site calendar  
and come see us!  
 
www.njtap.org 
=================================================== 
I.T.A. EVENTS HOTLINE - CLASSES WITH SARAH & LEE!!! 
 
TAP CLASSES WITH 
LEE HOWARD AND 
SARAH REICH!!! 
@ Tap Academy 
Lee Howard 
Saturday- December 29, 2007 
4:00- 5:15 pm 
Int./Adv. 
$15.00 
 
Sarah Reich 
Saturday- January 5, 2008 
4:00- 5:15 pm 
Int./ Adv. 
$15.00 
 
Tap Academy 
1334 Lincoln Blvd. 
Santa Monica, CA 90401 
www.tapacademy.bizland.com 
310-656-1562 
 
Lee Howard 
Lee Howard is a young tap dancer from Chicago, Illinois. 
Lee is 
currently attending Columbia College Chicago pursuing a 
major in 
Performing Arts Management. Eight years ago Lee began his 
study of tap 
dance at the Sammy Dyer School of the Theater with Idella 
Reed-Davis 
and Brill Barrett. While at Sammy Dyer, Lee was invited to 
join a 
newly established Tap company called M.A.D.D. Rhythms where 
he has 
been a member for the past six years. 
Lee performs both, with the M.A.D.D. Rhythms company and as 
a soloist. 
Lee's love for tap dancing is due in part to the 
opportunity it 
provides him to express his creativity. 
Lee joined the teaching staff at Studio One Dance 
Conservatory as a 
junior tap instructor in the fall of 2004 and is now an 
established 
member of their faculty being there for three years. He was 
featured 
in a Leo's Dancewear ad for a new tap shoe in 2006. He is 
now featured 
in the December 2007 issue of Dance Spirit magazine as the 
"Tap Whiz 
Kid". 
Aside from Tap dancing, Lee also enjoys listening to as 
well as 
creating all types of music, graphic designing, 
airbrushing, 
skateboarding, drawing, and video production. 
 
 
Sarah Reich 
Sarah Reich was born in Culver City, California and began 
dancing at 
age 5. At age 7, she started training in tap with Alfred 
Desio and 
later with Cyd Glover. She continued her studies under the 
late Paul 
Kennedy and Arlene Kennedy at the age of 10, and soon 
joined the 
Kennedy Tap Company. After Paul Kennedy passed away in 
2002, Sarah 
started training with Jason Samuels Smith at Debbie Allen's 
Dance 
Academy. Sarah is currently in Jason's tap group "Anybody 
Can Get It", 
Steve Zee's LA Ironworks and Chloe Arnold's Syncopated 
Ladies. She was 
also a part of Jazz Tap Ensemble's Caravan Project for 
gifted teenage 
tap dancers. In 2004 and 2006, Sarah was featured in Mike 
Wittmers' 
instructional tap DVDs, "The World is my Drum" Vol. 1 and 
2. Sarah was 
featured in an article titled "20 Hot Tappers Under 20" in 
Dance 
Spirit Magazine. She received an award for Performing 
Artist of The 
Year at the 2005 OMNI Awards. Sarah has been a promotional 
tap dancer 
for the movie Happy Feet. Sarah has performed at many 
venues around 
Los Angeles including the Kodak Theater, Getty Museum, the 
Ford 
Amphitheatre, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Madrid 
Theatre, Temple 
Bar, African Market Place, the Nosotros' Golden Eagle 
Awards at the 
Beverly Hilton Hotel, as well as attended and taught at the 
NYC, Twin 
Cities, Chicago, St. Louis, and Los Angeles Tap Festivals. 
She will 
perform at the Beijing International Dance Festival in 
China. Sarah 
has been teaching for four years at her home studio to 
share the art 
form that she loves with others. Sarah has a deep passion 
for tap 
dancing and aspires to be a headliner in the tap world in 
the effort 
to keep tap dancing alive. 
=================================================== 
 
Keeping It In The Family 
 
Checkout... 
 
 
SNAP,POP & LOCK 
with Mr.Wiggles' sister 'SnapShot' and honorary sis 
'WandeePop' 
Coming Soon Latin Hip-Hop! 
 
 
 
 
 
Thursdays at 8pm, $16 per class 
16yrs and over/Advanced Beginner Class 
 
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 
The Joan Weill Center for Dance 
405 West 55th Street (at 9th Avenue) 
New York, NY 10019 
212-405-9017 ph 
 
 
*A Hip Hop Class Fusing Classic Party Dance Moves, Popping 
& Locking Drills, Basic Breaking combos with a touch of New 
Skool Hip Hop Energy.  
*Plus, Injury Prevention & Health and Wellness tips from a 
Certified Personal Trainer and Life-Style Wellness Coach*. 
 
Snap, Pop & Lock was created to teach about the Culture of 
Hip-Hop and all its elements. All of our knowledge is 
straight from the source and pioneers. Learn the history 
of classic moves such as: Da Jason, Da Mona Lisa, Da Bill 
Cosby, Da James Brown, Da Wop, Smerf, Gigilo, Alf, Da Kid 
n’ Play, Da RoofTop, Da Jerry Lewis, Popping & Locking 
combos, Top Rock, Latin Rock and Basic Breaking skills like 
footwork, freezes & more. 
 
Paz, 
SnapShot & WandeePOP 
TruEssencia Dance Company 
SNAP, POP & LOCK;-) 
www.MySpace.com/snapoplock 
www.MySpace.com/SnapShotD 
=================================================== 
 
THE CHICAGO JAZZ ENSEMBLE, 
WITH ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JON FADDIS, 
FEATURES DUKE ELLINGTON'S SACRED CONCERTS 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 8:00 P.M., HARRIS THEATER 
 
The Chicago Jazz Ensemble (CJE), led by Artistic Director 
Jon Faddis, 
continues the Ninth American Heritage Jazz Series with The 
Music of 
Duke Ellington: Featuring Ellington's Sacred Concerts, 
Friday, December 
14, 2007, at 8:00 p.m. at the Harris Theater for Music and 
Dance, 205 
East Randolph Drive. Preceding the concert, Faddis will 
discuss the 
legacy of Duke Ellington with music aficionado, writer and 
broadcaster 
Neil Tesser. 
 
Jazz maestro Ellington called his Sacred Concerts the most 
important 
works he'd ever written. These works, composed between 1965 
and 1973, 
combine elements of Jazz, European classical, choral music, 
blues, 
dance, spirituals and gospel. Faddis leads The CJE, joined 
by a full 
gospel choir, under the direction of Chip Johnson, 
featuring The CJE 
vocalist Bobbi Wilsyn with special guest vocalists 
Stephanie A. Dixon, 
Maggie Brown and Robert Sims. Tap dancer Bril Barrett also 
joins the 
Ensemble for an evening of extraordinary entertainment. 
==================================================== 
 
Dancing across the globe 
Tapping teen set to perform in China with the Chicago Human 
Rhythm 
Project at international festival 
 
By Marty Farmer 
 
Following the fancy footsteps of legendary entertainers 
like Bill 
"Bojangles" Robinson, Howard "Sandman" Sims and Clayton 
"Peg Leg" 
Bates, tap dancer Nico Rubio deserves a good nickname like 
his heroes 
of the past. 
 
Perhaps the locally grown phenom could be the "Tap Dance 
Kid," an ode 
to the Broadway musical, or Nico "White Shoes" Rubio since 
he's known 
for wearing white kicks during his performances. Sobriquets 
aside, 
Rubio is busy making a name for himself via his 
improvisational dance 
routines that conjure up adjectives like "inspiring" and 
"preternatural." 
 
Whether he's cutting the dance floor with precise moves 
like the 
shuffle ball change, cramp roll, Maxie Ford, or Shim Sham 
Shimmy, Rubio 
treats audiences with an unforgettable, visceral 
experience. 
 
"When I perform, I want people to feel how I feel when I'm 
dancing," 
Rubio said. "A lot of people say tap dancing has died but 
it really 
hasn't. Everybody in the tap dancing world would like to 
see it become 
more mainstream again in movies and music, but we aren't 
trying to make 
tap dancing the next big thing. We're just trying to give 
it the 
respect it deserves." 
 
Rubio's most ardent supporter, his mother, Karen has spent 
the last 
nine years helping the dedicated 17 year old hone his 
skills. On 
Christmas Eve she'll be at the airport to pick up her son 
when he 
returns from China after performing in an international 
dance festival 
there. 
 
"It hasn't always been easy because it involves a lot of 
time, money 
and commitment," Karen Rubio said. "What I always liked 
about tap 
dancing though is that you can see how tap dancers respect 
each other 
and the history of it. We have made some sacrifices, but I 
truly can 
appreciate Nico's talent." 
 
With members of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Rubio's 
career will 
hit a high this month when he travels to China on Dec. 17 
to perform in 
Beijing. The Beijing International Dance Festival, which 
will be 
broadcast to millions of Chinese viewers, will be the 
largest-ever 
presentation of tap in China. Sponsored by the Ministry of 
Culture for 
the People's Republic of China and the China Performing 
Arts Agency, 
the Chicago Human Rhythm Project will join the Paul Taylor 
Dance 
Company and 13 other countries in the historic tap dancing 
event. 
 
"I'm really excited about the trip," Rubio, who will be 
making his 
first international engagement, said. "It's a really big 
show and an 
introduction for the Chinese to tap dancing." 
 
Rubio discovered his love of the art form and its rich 
history during 
formative visits with his mom and sister to the Chicago 
Human Rhythm 
Project tap dancing festivals. Inspired by the experience, 
Rubio has 
since performed at festivals and competitions in Los 
Angeles and St. 
Louis, as well as improvisational gigs in the busy streets 
and subways 
of Chicago. 
 
"Basically, I started dancing along with my sister 
[Michelle] who was 
in all types of dancing at Panda Studios [in Forest Park]," 
Rubio said. 
"At the first tap festival I attended, I watched my sister 
perform and 
my mom helped out with the event as well. I roamed around 
and checked 
out the classes. The atmosphere of the festival and how 
they talked 
about the art form was very interesting." 
 
After his return from China on Dec. 24, Rubio will resume 
his intensive 
rehearsal and performance schedule, while also finishing up 
his senior 
year at St. Joseph. 
 
Rubio, a member of the M.A.D.D Rhythm Tap Company, recently 
performed 
at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago. Through the years, he 
has 
participated in workshops like the Chicago Dance 
Connection, Bradley 
Tap Festival and M.A.D.D Rhythms Chicago Tap Summit. He's 
also appeared 
on television broadcasts in Chicago and Los Angeles, taken 
classes from 
Debbie Allen and met Dick Van Dyke. 
 
"Nico is able to internalize what tap dancing is all about 
on a deeper 
level," Diane Walker, a tap dancing legend and one of his 
instructors, 
said. "Nico's tap dancing is full of soul. It's honest and 
you can hear 
it in his dancing." 
 
Rubio, an avid student of the history of tap, loves to 
improvise when 
he's dancing, particularly in "cutting contests" and street 
performing. 
Also known as challenges, cutting contests are analogous to 
rap 
battles. Two tap dancers essentially engage in a call and 
response, can 
you top this exchange of tap dancing steps. 
 
"Timing is really important," Rubio said, who has won 
cutting contests 
in Los Angeles and Chicago tap festivals. "You can beat 
another tap 
dancer on a visual aspect with steps or on a musical aspect 
with 
rhythm." 
 
On the streets and in the subways during summertime, Rubio 
hooks up 
with his funk band, Ill-Noise, also featuring friend and 
fellow dancer 
Jaybo Dixon, a clarinet player and a drummer. 
 
"We do a lot of choreography but also improv," Rubio said. 
"Street 
performing really allows you to bring out your personality 
and be 
creative." 
 
Metaphorically speaking, Rubio's unassuming, affable nature 
blended 
with his passionate style of dance is like the calm before 
the storm. 
 
"Still water runs deep-that's Nico," said CHRP 
Founder/Artistic 
Director Lane Alexander. "If you just met him, he's a nice, 
unassuming 
kid. But when he puts on his tap shoes and you see all his 
talent come 
out, he's like the perfect storm." 
 
Armed with a confluence of talent, dedication and respect 
for tap 
dancing, Nico "The Perfect Storm" Rubio is on course to 
reach his 
dreams. 
==================================================== 
 
News from The American Tap Dance Foundation: 
 
New Business Address 
We've moved our business office 
Our class locations remain the same, but our business 
office has moved: 
 
American Tap Dance Foundation 
18 West 27th Street - 6th Floor 
New York, NY 10001 
Support the ATDF 
 
Without individual support we cannot continue to educate, 
present and 
preserve this amazing art form. Please join us in 
strengthening our 
community of rhythm. 
 
SAVE THE DATE!!! 
Tap City 2008 - the New York City Tap Festival 
July 5 - 11, 2008 
 
You can now donate through our website at: www.atdf.org 
==================================================== 
 
Tappy Holidays! at Symphony Space 
 
Friday December 14, 2008 at 8:00 pm 
Back by popular demand for the second year in a row, "Tappy 
Holidays!" 
is the must-see tap performance of the Holiday season. This 
high energy 
performance features all live Holiday music performed by 
The Jackie 
Warren Trio and the percussive talents of some of the best 
tap dancers 
in the country. Come hear "Winter Wonderland," "Sleigh 
Ride" and more 
of your favorite Holiday classics sung, danced and jazzed 
up in a way 
that is sure to put you in the Holiday spirit! 
 
Featuring Ayodele Casel, Sarah Savelli, Jared Grimes, 
Michela Lerman, 
Carson Murphy, Ray Hesselink, Jumaane Taylor, Jason Janas, 
Jason 
Bernard, and Mable Lee. With Special Guests Aisha DeHaas. 
 
Also featuring our very own Tap City Youth Ensemble, David 
Rider's 
World of Tap, Cleveland Tap Collective, Sound Out Tap 
Company, New 
England Tap, Columbus Tap Project!, The Legacy Dancers and 
Kids on Tap. 
Presented by Tandem Act Productions. 
www.tandemact.com 
==================================================== 
 
 
NEW JERSEY TAP DANCE ENSEMBLE 
Deborah Mitchell, Artistic Director 
 
Press Release Contact: Sue Simek Executive Director 
sue@njtap.org 
 
New Jersey Tap Dance Ensemble Announces 
New website launch www.njtap.org 
 
Bloomfield, NJ - December 12, 2007 - NJTAP proudly 
announces the 
launch of our 
new website. Visit www.njtap.org to see the exciting new 
design, and 
get the 
latest information about upcoming performances and 
programs. See 
company 
pictures and video clips of the dancers, read about the 
NJTAP artists 
and 
programs and contact us. Friends of NJTAP can sign up for 
our mailing 
list, and 
support the company via on-line contributions. While you 
are visiting 
the new 
www.njtap.org, please let us know what you think! 
 
 
Visit our website to see where NJTAP is dancing this 
winter! 
 
 
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001cIWMLnIhCFFtNPNsuJ_4XRHROEI1tmxlAUYcBPX6CDACF 
9TgHnsmOOVwXoM_lY-Mh_C1bv_6iOfiGTDfl4RRTSEuB6I4iK93KTaHMCgRTiQ=> 
We have holiday 
performances coming 
up - find out how you 
can brighten your 
winter with NJTAP's 
dynamic artists. 
 
Check out our 
web-site calendar 
and come see us! 
 
www.njtap.org 
 
THANK YOU New Jersey Cultural Trust for our new web site! 
 
As we launch our exciting new website, we thank the New 
Jersey Cultural 
Trust, 
which made this project possible through a generous grant. 
For more 
information 
about the New Jersey Cultural Trust, visit 
www.njculturaltrust.org. 
==================================================== 
 
Save these dates! June 26-29 2008 
 
Motor City Dance Productions Presents: 
1st Annul Motor City Tap Fest 
 
At the Renaissance Center Marriott 
 
Featuring Dr. Price Spencer of the legendary Four Step 
Brothers 
 
Professor Robert L Reed 
 
Dianne ‘Lady Di’ Walker 
 
Shea Sullivan 
 
Brit Barrett 
 
Rod Ferrone 
 
Robert Reed III 
 
Greg Russell 
 
Sponsored in part by: HOUR Magazine 
==================================================== 
 
Ted Louis Levy DVD Demo 
 
Video Description 
Ted Levy, award winning, choreographer & tap dancer 
performs at 2 Tony 
Award Show, in Japan & the Delacorte Theatre He is seen 
with Gregory 
Hines, Sammy Davis Jr., Savion Glover, Jimmy Slide & many 
others. 
 
Watch video: 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKbxuvwIeII 
=================================================== 
 
A message from Mignon Grayson-Fagains: 
 
Hi Everyone: 
 
We're ecstatic to say... 
 
This past Friday's Sacred Mysteries event was so nice, 
we've been 
asked to have an encore presentation for those who want to 
come back 
and bring friends and for those who wanted to make it but 
couldn't. 
The festivities will continue on Saturday, December 15th  
from 3-6 
p.m. You and your guests are invited to come hang out, 
munch, see what 
we've got. Start the holiday celebrations early with us! 
 
Music, refreshments and good company....and of course 
Sacred 
Mysteries Healing Stones Collection. 
 
RSVP 212-724-7663, mignon@sacredmysteries.org 
=================================================== 
 
HEY PEOPLE!! Doing a showcase with some friends - A few 
numbers from Dreamgirls, and I"m going to also tap dance 
one number. It's $10 - info is below. Hope this reaches 
everyone well in the holiday season, and much love. Also I 
am having a showcase myself on the 28th and will be sending 
out a flyer for that soon so look out for it! take care and 
hope to see you soon,  
 
Maya 
 
 
Christmas Showcase Spectacular -- Evening of Performing Art 
Presentations in song, dance and drama 
presented by Paul Robeson Theatre Co. 
 
40 Greene Ave. 
Brooklyn, NY (Couple blocks away from Brooklyn Academy of 
Music [BAM]) 
C line to Lafayette stop/ G line to Lafayette stop 
 
Sunday evening @ 7:00 p.m. 
Tickets $10 advance reservations/$12 at the door (no 
reservations) 
 
Theatre Phone: (718) 783-9794 
Andrew Horton -- Coordinator (614) 551-7142/hrmuj@aol.com 
=================================================== 
 
Hi Everybody, 
It's time !!!!!!!!!!! 
For those of you that do not already know it is time for 
the "Grupo Ribeiro 
Holiday Fundraiser"... featuring student performances, the 
Grupo Ribeiro 
dance company, capoeiristas, and other special guests. 
Come and celebrate 
the holidays with us at "Judson Memorial Church" this 
Friday. 
 
Samba, Samba Reggae, Afoxe, Capoeira, Orixa dance, Capoeira 
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Come celebrate with us. 
 
Where: Judson Memorial Church 55 Washington Sq. south 
When: 12/14/07 Friday Doors open at 7:30pm show at 8pm 
Cost: 15$ Donation at the door 
Directions at www. Judson.org 
 
For more information about Quenia Ribeiro, and Grupo 
Ribeiro check 
www.sambasambasamba.com or email us at 
gruporibeiro@sambany.com 
 
As always, Thanks for all your support, Happy Holidays!!!! 
Quenia and Grupo Ribeiro 
=================================================== 
 
 
STATIK ENT. PRESENTS: CHRISTMAS WITH  
PATTI LABELLE & FRIENDS LIVE IN NYC!  
SATURDAY DECEMBER 22, 2007  
@ UTOPIA'S PARADISE THEATER  
 
STATIK ENT. INVITES YOU TO A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVENT 
FEATURING LEGENDARY R&B/SOUL VOCALIST PATTI LABELLE.  
 
PATTI LABELLE IS THE ORIGINAL DIVA OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS. 
WITH A STRONG AND SOULFUL VOICE, SHE HAS BEEN A 
RECOGNIZABLE FIGURE IN THE MUSIC WORLD FOR OVER FORTY 
YEARS. THE TWO TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER IS TAKING HER FOUR 
OCTAVE VOICE ON THE ROAD AGAIN AND SHE IS A TRUE TESTAMENT 
TO THE LEAPS AND BOUNDS THE WORLD OF RHYTHM AND BLUES HAS 
MADE SINCE HER START IN THE 1960'S. SHE HAS RELEASED MORE 
THAN TWO DOZEN ALBUMS AND SOLD MILLIONS OF RECORDS 
WORLDWIDE AND IS DEEMED ONE OF THE GREATEST VOCALISTS IN 
THE HISTORY OF MUSIC.  
 
SOUL DIVA PATTI LABELLE ENJOYED ONE OF THE LONGEST-LIVED 
CAREERS IN CONTEMPORARY MUSIC, NOTCHING HITS IN A VARIETY 
OF SOUNDS RANGING FROM GIRL GROUP POP TO SPACE AGE FUNK TO 
LUSH BALLADS. BORN PATRICIA HOLT IN PHILADELPHIA IN 1944, 
SHE GREW UP SINGING IN A LOCAL BAPTIST CHOIR, AND IN 1960 
FORMED A GROUP CALLED THE ORDETTES. A YEAR LATER, FOLLOWING 
THE ADDITIONS OF VOCALISTS NONA HENDRYX AND SARAH DASH, THE 
GROUP WAS RECHRISTENED THE BLUE BELLES AND SCORED A TOP 20 
POP AND R&B HIT IN 1962 WITH THE SINGLE "I SOLD MY HEART TO 
THE JUNKMAN," SUBSEQUENTLY HITTING THE CHARTS IN 1964 WITH 
RENDITIONS OF "DANNY BOY" AND "YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE."  
 
BY 1973, LABELLE HAD GONE GLAM, TAKING THE STAGE IN WILDLY 
THEATRICAL, FUTURISTIC COSTUMES; A YEAR LATER HER GROUP 
BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN ACT EVER TO APPEAR AT NEW 
YORK'S METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE, A LANDMARK PERFORMANCE 
THAT ALSO INTRODUCED THEIR LONE CHART-TOPPING SINGLE, THE 
FAMOUS CLASSIC "LADY MARMALADE." AFTER TWO MORE ALBUMS, 
LABELLE MOUNTED A SOLO CAREER, ISSUING HER EPONYMOUS DEBUT 
IN 1977. PATTI WENT ON TO SCORE NUMBER ONE R&B HITS IN 1983 
AND ALSO REACHED THE POP TOP 20 WITH HER BEVERLY HILLS COP 
SOUNDTRACK CONTRIBUTION "NEW ATTITUDE." HER 1986'S "THE 
WINNER IN YOU" WENT PLATINUM AND SHE FOLLOWED IT UP WITH 
1989'S BE YOURSELF WORKING ALONGSIDE ROCK LEGEND, PRINCE. 
LABELLE'S CAREER EVOLVED IN THE NEXT MILLENIUM AS SHE 
RECORDED DUETS WITH MARY J. BLIGE, ELTON JOHN, AND RELEASED 
NUMEROUS WORKS AS WELL AS BOOKS.  
 
PATTI LABELLE IS KNOWN FOR A VOICE THAT PRACTICALLY DEFINES 
THE R&B GENRE. LONG RECOGNIZED FOR HER GOSPEL-FLAVORED 
SOUL, SHE IS NOW OUT ON THE ROAD PERFORMING THE HITS THAT 
MADE HER A LEGEND. PATTI LABELLE CONCERT TICKETS ARE A 
GREAT GET FOR ANYONE WHO LOVES R&B AND SOUL, AND MS. 
LABELLE IS KNOWN TO NEVER DISAPPOINT HER AUDIENCE WITH HER 
ENERGETIC AND ENGAGING PERFORMANCES. LABELLE HAS BEEN 
PLAYING TO HER LOYAL LEGION OF FANS FOR OVER 40 YEARS, AND 
PATTI LABELLE TICKETS WILL BE A LIVING TRIBUTE TO HER 
MUSICAL LONGEVITY. SHE'S PERFORMED LIVE AT THE WHITE HOUSE, 
CARNEGIE HALL, AND JUST ABOUT EVERY WORLD-CLASS VENUE ONE 
CAN NAME.  
 
NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AND FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, 
EVERYONE'S FAVORITE R&B LEGEND IS COMING TO THE BIG APPLE! 
SO, GET READY FOR A NIGHT PACKED WITH EXCITEMENT AND 
SURPRISES AS THIS SOUL DIVA TAKES TO THE STAGE LIVE AT THE 
BRONX IN UTOPIA'S PARADISE THEATER!  
 
UTOPIA'S PARADISE THEATER  
< 2413 GRAND CONCOURSE BTWN 187TH & 188TH STREET BRONX, NY 
10468  
FOR TICKET INFORMATION: WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM  
 
V.I.P. - $100 ORCHESTRA - $85 MEZZANINE - $75, $65  
TO BUY TICKETS UPFRONT AND NO WAIT CONTACT SK STEVE : 
STATIKSTEVE@GMAIL.COM  
FOR MORE INFO GO TO: WWW.MYSPACE.COM/PATTILABELLELIVE 
=================================================== 
 
From Crystal: 
OMG! If you didn't already know about this, it's a MUST 
see.  
Click Here: Check out "BlueGobo.com | online musical 
theatre video archive" 
 
=================================================== 
 
PARTY PEOPLE, 
 
HOUSE DANCE CHRISTIANS ( a.k.a. Conference), is here this 
month to 
give people CHRIST (who says,' I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, 
and THE 
LIGHT!! Whoever believeth in me shall not perish, but have 
eternal 
lift!!). 
 
HAUS FRAUS did very nicely. They wanted to perform, and 
they did it!! 
Good job. WELL!! HDC PATRONS!! It's been 2 months of the 
HOUSE ROOM 
BEING MORE PACKED THEN THE FUNK ROOM!! If the FUNK ROOM 
don't take it 
in JANURARY for the bboy contest!! WELL!! THAT's IT!! TO THE SHOWERS!! 
The FUNK ROOM will be in the small room!! 
 
MESSAGE: LOVE ALL OF YOU and stay truly loving, tolerant of others 
that are still sinning against others while you are not and have 
realize the errors of your ways. Because when you were in sin against 
others, there were people who were tolerant of you. If you have to 
take a person 1 on 1 and tell them their errors of their ways, and 
listen to them as well. Have forgiveness, and try not to repeat what 
you hear. Passing what you hear, only passes sin to another's ear, and 
then makes a person assume about another person. Which does not give 
the person talked about any time to grow and change in the mind of the 
person that listened to the rumor said. Let's start to change. 
 
EVENT: HOUSE DANCE CHRISTIANS ( conference) 
DATE: JANURARY 3, 2008 ( HAPPY NEW YEAR!!) 
PLACE: CLUB REMIX 
ADDRESS: 27 Park Place between Broadway and Church 
DJS: Qu and P-Funk ( HOUSE and HOUSE CLASSICS) 
DOC ( Hip-hop, Breaks, Funk, and Classics). 
CONTEST: BBOYING/BGIRLING ( mix it up) 
PRIZE: $500 
JUDGES: KEN SWIFT & HONEY ROCKWELL 
THEME: DANCE ALL NIGHT!!!!! 
TIME: 10pm-4am 
PRICE: $15 
 
GET READY FOR MARCH!! HOUSE DANCE CONTEST!! THIS WILL BE SOME 
SERIOUSLY REAL EDUTAINING EVENT!! BE READY and SAVE MONEY! THERE WILL 
BE MANY THINGS ON SALE!! 
 
www.myspace.com/housedanceconference (popular event for all dance 
styles) www.housedanceconference (home website of the event for basic 
info!! Site changing soon!) www.23prime.com/worldsoul. for bookings 
www.eliteforcecrew.com. for bookings 
www.kr3ts.com. for booking 
www.23prime.com. ( CPD PLUS) for bookings 
www.style2ouf.com ( french dance website for the world of urban dance) 
www.justedebout.com ( french dance website for the world of urban 
dance) www.mrwiggleshiphop.net ( U.S. website for history of 
Funk,Hip-hop, and urban related dance styles) 
www.housedancer.com (U.S. website focusing on House culture) 
www.freetylesession.com (U.S. website/event focusing on Hip-hop and 
Funk styles culture) www.bboysummit ( U.S. website/event focusing on 
Hip-hop and Funk styles culture) www.KR3ts (U.S. 
website/event/children foundation for kids in the Barri o!!) 
 
MONEY FOR THE THEATRE SHOW IN JULY WAS DONATED TO KR3ts ( KR3ts.com), 
and MUMATCHI; which is a new child foundation being created by a 
dancer named Natalie from France that lives here. This is to help 
teach kids in Nigeria, Africa about dance, education, and give them 
inspiration. She will be selling her T-SHIRTS at the coat check of the 
next House Dance Conferences. ALL SUPPORT!! BECAUSE THE MONEY GOES TO 
A GREAT CAUSE!! THANKS FOR ALL THAT SUPPORT; MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY, and 
SPIRITUALLY!! 
 
GOD BLESS ALL, SUPPORT EACH OTHER, and KEEP DANCING, 
 
Brian "Footwork" Green 
==================================================== 
 
Welcome to Monsters of Hip Hop 
 
REGISTRATION WEBSITE 
1st Annual Monsters of HipHop LA INTENSIVE 
August 11-15, 2008 
5 DAYS FEATURING: 
-Classes with select Monsters Faculty & Special Guests 
-Agency auditions with BLOC, CTG, DDO, MSA 
-Lots of scholarships & great giveaways 
-Seminars to make you more marketable and better prepared to make it in 
LA. 
Plus the LA Intensive Package includes a ticket to an exclusive 
viewing of 
Monsters of HipHop: The Show 2008, 
Cast meet & greet and other behind the scenes extras. 
 
Most importantly, select dancers will be chosen to attend additional 
private rehearsals to perform live as the pre-show entertainment for 
the Monsters Matinee Show. 
Space is limited to the first 130 dancers!! 
 
This event will undoubtedly SELL OUT so register your spot in advance 
before it's too late. 
 
REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED BEFORE DECEMBER 19th, 2007 
will receive in the mail a personalized certificate & free gift for 
the holidays! 
Be sure to include the full mailing address in the registration form. 
 
 
NOTE: THIS IS AN ADVANCED LEVEL WORKSHOP OPEN TO ALL AGES 
==================================================== 
 
 
Fleetwood - Jourdain Theatre 
 
invites you to Join us as we make History! 
 
Are you a local writer interested in Evanston's rich history? 
 
FJT is embarking on an exciting project to capture the distinctive 
history of Evanston's African-American businesses, families, community 
leaders, churches 
and institutions! 
Can you help preserve our history? 
 
INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING YOUR VOICE TO THIS PROJECT? JOIN US 
Sat., Jan. 5, 2008 
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m 
Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes in Evanston. 
 
All ages can join us and any style of writing is welcome. 
No experience is required, but please bring a writing sample. Writers' 
works will be rehearsed and performed by actors during this 
extraordinary 10-part Series. 
 
 
Ebony Joy 
Artistic Director 
 
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre 
 
Noyes Cultural Arts Center 
927 Noyes St. 
Evanston, Illinois 60201 
(847) 448 - 8260 x109 
ejoy@cityofevanston.org 
==================================================== 
 
Entertainment Industry Expo 
January 27, 2008 The Westin Hotel, Times Square 
 
Free when you register before January 27th! 
Or $10 on January 27th at the door. 
 
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS YEAR AT EIE: 
- 3 rooms filled with great workshops/seminars all day 
- 3 floors of Exhibitors providing products/services for the 
Entertainment Industry 
- "Designer's Showcase" - designers may showcase their portfolios 
all day 
- Be a part of the first-ever Entertainment Industry Directory 
- Job Interviews with top entertainment production companies 
- Auditions for blockbuster Broadway productions 
-VIP Networking Cocktail Reception with top shelf open bar 
- And more! 
 
For more information: 
www.EIENYC.com 
=================================================== 
 
Inspired by art? 
 
Make a gift to the Inspiration Fund of the 
New York Foundation for the Arts 
For 36 years, NYFA has always been an organization for artists and our 
strongest supporters have been the artists we serve. Please give a 
gift today – you are going to be in great company. If you have given 
already this year – THANK YOU! Please encourage your friends to also 
lend their support. 
This year has been busy and groundbreaking for NYFA. In the brief 
three months since we started registering online users of NYFA.org, 
we have reached over 40,000 artists, arts administrators, and 
supporters. We have heard from those of you who are across the 
street, across the country, and across the ocean – in Korea , South 
Africa, the Netherlands, and beyond. 
Also in 2007, we have received an endowed Artist Fellowship thanks to 
the Buddy Fund. The 2008 NYFA Fellows will be announced in May. We 
are also excited to initiate NYFA MARK, a professional growth program 
for 80-100 visual artists in New York State . 
Across the country, there are currently 400 NYFA sponsored artist 
projects and 75 sponsored emerging organization working in film, 
dance, theater, literature, and more. And NYFA Current continues to 
bring you the latest issues and writings from artists on art. In the 
works is a special New Orleans edition - just in time for Mardi Gras. 
The spring benefit is being planned with a variety of performance 
artists. These are just a few of the many things keeping the office 
a-buzz. 
No matter how modest or large your contribution, your generosity will 
go a long way to our mission to support working artists. Here is a 
sampling of how your dollars can help: 
$50 – provides one-on-one expert consultation for an emerging artist 
$100 – keeps our technology bug-free 
$250 – brings you updated and personalized searches 
$500 – opens the door for at least 100 artists to a full day of 
learning 
 
You can give online by clicking here. Or if you prefer to be retro 
and send a check, please make it payable to New York Foundation for 
the Arts, and mail it to: New York Foundation for the Arts, 155 
Avenue of the Americas, Fl. 6, New York, NY 10013, attention: The 
Inspiration Fund. 
We knew we could count on you! 
From all of us at NYFA 
 
"The NYFA Fellowship gave me the financial freedom to gather up 
courage, broaden my creative palate, and strike out in a new 
direction. In 1986, I completed my first draft of M. Butterfly the 
play which remains to this day my most well known. NYFA was a 
creative lifeline for me in the 1980's; today, with grants to 
individual artists more scarce, it has become an even more important 
engine for America 's cultural life." 
 
-David Henry Hwang, 1985 
Playwriting/Screenwriting Fellow 
The New York Foundation for the Arts is a 501 (c)(3) public charity. 
All donations are tax-deductible according to the full extent of U.S. 
tax law. Visit us online at www.NYFA.org to learn more about NYFA's 
programs, events, and artists we've helped. 
=================================================== 
 
CASTING CALL 
 
Humboldt Park Productions, LLC. 
 
and 
 
SHARON KING 
 
ARE CASTING FOR THE ROLES OF 
 
LATINO MALES AND FEMALES 
 
AND ALL ETHNIC GROUPS 
 
18-50 + YEARS OLD 
 
FOR THE FEATURE FILM 
 
"HUMBOLDT PARK" 
 
(The story of a close-knit Puerto Rican Family) 
 
SEEKING: 
 
Actors and actresses, and people with interesting faces. 
 
*Please bring headshots and resumes or non-returnable photo and pen 
 
WHEN: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2007 
 
WHERE: 
 
CLEMENTE COMMUNITY ACADEMY 
 
HIGH SCHOOL 
 
1147 N. WESTERN AVE. 
 
CHICAGO,IL 60622 
 
TIME: 10:00 AM TO 3:00 PM 
 
$$ Also Seeking Extras $$ 
=================================================== 
 
www.divinerhythmproductions.com 
EMPOWER YOUR SOLE!

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