Kristin Chenoweth, Jordin Sparks, Felicity Huffman, Mamie Gummer,and Raven-Symone

 February 15, 2010 — Some of Hollywoods biggest style stars brought fashion and awareness together last Thursday night for The Heart Truths 7th annual Red Dress Collections fashion show , Kristin Chenoweth, Jordin Sparks, Felicity Huffman, Mamie Gummer,and Raven-Symone were just a few of the twenty stars who worked the red carpet in unique red dresses, which will be auctioned off for research and heart disease awareness. The event kicked of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City.   Monique Nolan www.purefamemedia.com

Brooklyn, NY: The mother of all Caribbean festivals in the United States, the 43rd annual West Indian Carnival Festival 2010 kicked off earlier this week with a successful press reception in Manhattan that was attended by scores of media and VIP guests who gathered to hear important details of this year’s celebration. The Brooklyn-anchored historic event, often described as the largest parade and festival in the United States attracts over 3.5 million participants annually, effectively pulling more people than the entire population of the island of Jamaica.

The Carnival celebration begins with a benefit concert for Haiti behind the Brooklyn Museum. This concert will be headlined by Grammy winning hip hop artiste Wyclef Jean and will also feature David Rudder, Kevin Lyttle, Serani, Carimi, Bruck Up, Pupa Leendi, Bud Ramsey, Kevon Carter and many more artists from across the Caribbean. Proceeds from this event will be given to the Jean’s Yele’ Foundation, in support of their relief efforts during the aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake.

The remainder of the weekend is jam-packed with six events culminating in the Brooklyn Labor Day Parade on Eastern Parkway. Other carnival events include the Junior (Kiddies) Carnival Parade on Friday September 3, and the Brass Festival featuring Machel Montano, Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy, Destra, Krosfyah, Denise Belfon, Lyrikal, Lady Saw and Talpree. Saturday, September 4 will host the Steel Band Panorama Competition. Sunday September 5 is Dimanche Gras, at which carnival king and queen will be crowned.

“We are delighted to have Wyclef Jean, David Rudder, Kevin Lyttle and other A- list Caribbean acts at our special star studded benefit concert for Haiti this year. There is no word to describe the disaster caused earlier this year to a country already so impoverished. The Haitian people need our continued support and we will do our best to bring awareness to their plight and to help them in this time of need” said Yolanda Lezama-Clark, President of WIADCA, INC.

The Brooklyn festival – which will use as it’s theme this year ‘Bridging Cultures’ – reaches a colorful and explosive crescendo on Monday September 6 with the Eastern Parkway Labor Day Parade showcasing an unending train of costumed bands, masquerades, jumbies, floats and dance groups. Both sides of Eastern Parkway are typically jam-packed with wall to wall revelers savoring nostalgic Caribbean foods from unending ribbons of vendors whose collective aromatic herbs and spices provide fragrance for the many miles of the parade route.

Organizers also announced that this year’s Grand Marshals include Danny Glover and Wyclef Jean’s charity Yele Haiti.

With millions expected to attend the West Indian Carnival, the event has historically brought out the A list of Caribbean companies to the forefront. This year’s title sponsor is Moet Hennessy USA, producers of premium liquor brands. Moet Hennessy does have a connection to the Caribbean as their relatively new rum brand, Ten Cane, is manufactured in Trinidad & Tobago.

The West Indian Carnival Festival is produced and presented by The West Indian American Day Carnival Association, Inc (WIADCA). The parade and related events have grown over the years from attracting thousands to millions and the surge in tourists visiting the city for the event has been a tremendous economic benefit to both large corporations and small businesses.

New York City Mayor  Mchael Bloomberg Hosted WIADCA Carnival Launch held at Gracie Mansion 8/12/10

By Order of  Michael Bloomberg -Mayor of New York  City  everyone in this city comes  a little West Indian for  the WIADCA Parade.

GRAMPS & PEETAH MORGAN COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL SOLO EUROPEAN TOUR
New York: Reggae singer, Gramps and his brother Peetah Morgan are still on a musical high after completing a very successful, solo tour of Europe that saw them delivering spectacular performances in Zurich, Switzerland; Poland; Bersenbruck, Germany; Oslo, Norway; Uppsala, Sweden; Schlossplatz, Germany; Amsterdam, Holland; Cantazaro and Lecce, Italy.
“The shows were all well attended and everyone was very satisfied with our solo performances. A few fans even commented that they were shocked, as they did not know I could sing so good. To be honest, to hear fans sing along to songs from my debut album was refreshing and is an endorsement of the hard work that I have put in over the last 12 months” the reggae crooner said in an interview.
The start of European tour came on the heels of a very successful performance at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay that saw Gramps enthralling fans for well over 30 minutes with hits like “Come Back To Bed,” “Time” and “Wash the Tears.” So well received was his performance, that fans in the second city have since dubbed him “the Beres of this era.”
“Beres is a very special artiste who brings his A game whenever he performs. To be compared with an artiste of his caliber means a lot to me. We all know Beres is not just a gifted singer but he is a talented songwriter who brings love and healing to many relationships and that is just what I’m trying to do with my music” he said.
Now that the European tour is completed, the next project on the horizon for Gramps is his new charity “Music Orchestrating Music“ (MOM).
“We are very excited about our new charity. We did out first live concert in Kenya earlier this year and partnered with Hands Across Kenya to help supply medicine and other medical equipment to children in the Motherland” he said.
2010 has been a good year for Gramps, having won 5 major awards including “Album of the Year” award at the Reggae Music Appreciation Awards in Toronto; Album of the year (EME), Best New Entertainer, Best Song (Wash The Tears) and Best Cross Over (Therapy) at the IRAWMA in New York. Not one to rest on his laurels, he is scheduled to go back on the road for an upcoming tour of the USA later this month and will head to St Thomas, Virgin Islands for a one off performance this month with reggae icon Jimmy Cliff. In between touring, he will work on his new RnB & County album titled “2 Sides Of My Heart Vol. 2″ that will feature an all-star cast including collaborations with R&B singer Musiq Soulchild and reggae superstar Ziggy Marley. The disc hit stores in 2011.
“2 Sides of My Heart Vol 1 is doing extremely well so far, so the plan is to continue to work that album and possibly released a single for the holiday season” he disclosed.
When asked what has been the most memorable accomplishment this year, the former football star, turn reggae singer said, “performing at the IRAWMA, Rebel Salute and Reggae Sumfest were highlights of 2010, while winning the Album of the Year award at the EME was an important accomplishment that validated the decision to become a solo artiste. I was shocked to see all who voted for my album. It gave me a lot of courage to keep on keeping on and made me realize that reggae music is still alive and well” he disclosed.

 at IMG/ Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week 2010 Bryant Park NYC.

Some of Hollywoods biggest style stars brought fashion and awareness together Thursday night for The Heart Truths 7th annual Red Dress Collections fashion show , Joan Collins, Jordin Sparks, Kim Kardashian, Heidi Klum, Kimora Lee Simmons and Elisabeth Hasselbeck were just a few of the twenty stars who worked the red carpet in unique red dresses, which will be auctioned off for research and heart disease awareness. The event kicked of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City. Video by Maxine Nolan

For Immediate Release:

 THE “SEXY RASTA” GYPTIAN IS BACK.

 HIS NEW ALBUM HOLD YOU RELEASEd JULY 20

 Gyptian is currently at the forefront of Reggae music. He gained popularity amongst Reggae fans with his previous releases. His new album Hold You represents his growth as an artist .Like the Billboard charting single of the same name, his latest album Hold You,  released by VP Records on July 20th, brings a refreshing sound that is already reviving pop audience’s interest in the classical ‘irie’ vibe of Reggae. In May, the single “Hold You” hit the Billboard Hot 100 at #91, while charting at #33 on the Billboard R&B chart, and #6 on the Billboard Heatseekers Songs chart. By June, the song was #77 on the Hot 100, and climbed to #3 on the Heatseekers chart, while debuting on the Canadian Hot 100. Hip Hop’s latest super star Nicki Minaj lent her vocals to the “Hold You” remix, which is currently in rotation on major stations throughout North America and the Caribbean. 
 Gyptian’s new album “Hold You”   contains 15 tracks and 2 iTunes exclusive tracks. This album introduces the World to the new era of Sexy Reggae Music. The melodic opening coupled with Gyptian’s gentle vocals on “Prelude (To Be Held)”sets the perfect mood to start off the album. Gyptian dedicates this album to ladies across the globe. Included is the up-tempo and romantic track “Beautiful Lady” from his debut album. This song displayed Gyptian’s potential as the Casanova of Reggae Music and it’s fitting that it was added to Hold You. From “Call Gyptian,” “Where You Belong” and “Rendezvous, Hold You delivers classic Lovers Rock and Dancehall tunes. The smash hit that has been dominating airwaves worldwide and setting the stage for Gyptian to be the next star in Reggae music is the catchy title track “Hold You.” The next single that’s slated to propel him further as a mainstream success is “Nah Let Go.” Gyptian proves that he is a master at creating memorable lyrics. One listen to the track and you will not forget it. Gyptian opens the door to his heart and lets everyone in on this album. “So Much In Love” and “Drive Me Crazy”expresses his passion for the opposite sex and what motivates his life-force. Gyptian is sexiness personified and his muse is the love he has for women. The album closes with the heartfelt dedication track “Selah.” This album places Gyptian into a category of his own and presents the future of Reggae Music.

Born Windel Beneto Edwards on October 25, 1983, Gyptian was raised in the rural King Weston district in the parish of St. Andrew by his Christian mother Pauline and his Rastafarian father, Basil. Neither parent dictated their son’s spiritual path but both encouraged his musical talent; thus Gyptian, who earned his nickname because he often wrapped shirts around his head in the style of an Egyptian pharaoh, sang at his mother’s Sunday morning church services and at the Saturday night dances promoted by his father who owned the Sugar Stone sound system.

Gyptian’s U.S. tour dates

July 16th? Charleston SC

July 19^th & July 20^th ? NYC

July 21st? Providence R.I

July 24th? N.CAROLINA

July 25th? GREESNBORO S.C.

July 28 – TARIS CALIFORNIA

July 29 – LOS ANGELES

August 6th? Miami

August 20 – POUGHKEEPSIE

August 21 TAMPA, Fl.

August 22nd NYC

August 28th Tampa, FL

Sept 3rd? NYC

Sept 4th? Pontiac, MI

Sept 5th? NYC

Oct 2nd? Miami

October 8th thru 10th – Miami

Burning Spear
Rockefeller Park
Wednesday, June 21

“Do you remember the days of slavery?” bellows Winston Rodney, a/k/a Burning Spear, and though a quick age/demographic sweep may suggest otherwise, the sizable throng gathered here at Rockefeller Park this mercifully temperate evening whoops and hollers and generally cheerfully assents. You’d be tempted to find this somewhat problematic, if you weren’t too busy a) dancing, and b) watching Winston Rodney dance.

He’s quite a dancer, Winston, skipping around the stage merrily despite appearing to be older than any two members of his sizable backing band (those horns!) combined, whacking his congas with both aplomb and alarmingly frequency. (“One of my theories on why he takes so many drum solos,” notes my dear friend and companion this evening, who incidentally named his own dog Winston in tribute, “is that no one can tell him ‘no.’”) For 90 minutes or so at this free River to River fete, he skips around within an enormous roots-reggae catalog, the title tracks to 2008’s Jah Is Real and 1975’s Marcus Garvey (start there) happily coexisting. The songs are stretched-out, well-fed, agreeably rambling: “The P-Funk of reggae,” my friend asserts, further noting that the encore of “African Postman” is the best version of the tune he’s heard live, and incidentally the first time he’s experienced it while not stoned. The crowd is unexpectedly large and completely dialed in, particularly on “Red, Gold and Green,” whose lyrics (“Meet me at the bank of the beautiful river”) are probably not referring to the Hudson, but this too is a minor factual point, easily overlooked.

July 7, 2010
 
THE SHOWS WILL GO ON!
BROOKLYN’S SEASIDE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CONCERT SERIES SET TO ONCE AGAIN THRILL MUSIC FANS!
New York’s largest free outdoor music series will feature Aretha Franklin, George Clinton, John Legend, the B-52s, Toni Braxton, Sean Paul, Salt-N-Pepa, Beach Boys
 
Beginning July 12 and through August 26, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz will host the 32nd annual Seaside Summer Concert Series at Asser Levy/Seaside Park and the 28th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series at Wingate Field in Crown Heights/Central Brooklyn (full concert lineups below).
 
For more than twenty years, while he was State Senator, Marty Markowitz worked along with the Seaside Summer Concert Series and the Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series to bring some of the best live entertainment to Brooklyn. Now as Brooklyn Borough President, he continues to host the concerts that have entertained hundreds of thousands of residents over the years and remain the largest free concert series in the New York Metropolitan area.
 
“Brooklyn is proud home to everyone from everywhere, so there is no better place in the world to enjoy music—the universal language,” said BP Markowitz. “That’s why I have been so proud to host free concerts at Coney Island for more than three decades, and in Central Brooklyn for 28 years. From Seaside’s stellar lineup of Neil Sedaka, the Beach Boys and the B-52s, to MLK’s George Clinton, Toni Braxton, and Sean Paul—not to mention a chance to catch the first lady of soul, Aretha Franklin, at both concert series—Brooklyn is once again the place to be for hot fun in the summertime.”
 
The Seaside Summer Concert Series is the largest free outdoor music series in New York. Throughout the years, the Thursday night series has attracted top name classic rock, pop, oldies, contemporary and Latin performers to Asser Levy/Seaside Park, at West 5th Avenue and Surf Avenue in Coney Island. Chair rentals will be available for $5, or concertgoers can bring their own chairs.
 
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert Series is celebrating its spectacular season with a star-studded lineup of gospel, classic soul, contemporary, Caribbean and R&B artists. The free concerts are Monday nights at Wingate Field, entrances on Brooklyn Avenue between Rutland Road and Winthrop Street. Seating is limited so attendees should bring chairs.
 
Performers are subject to change without notice. Call the concert hotline for updates at 718-222-0600, or visit www.brooklynconcerts.com.
 
CONTACTS:
 
Mark Zustovich, 718-802-3830; mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov
Laura Sinagra, 718-802-3831; lsinagra@brooklynbp.nyc.gov
 
 
Seaside Summer Concert Series Lineup
 
July 15
Neil Sedaka, Brenda Lee
 
July 22
“Happy Together Tour”: the Beach Boys; the Turtles (featuring Flo & Eddie); Mickey Dolenz (the Monkees); Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere and the Raiders)
 
July 29
George Thorogood & the Destroyers, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes
 
August 5
An evening with John Legend
 
August 12
An evening with Aretha Franklin
 
August 19
The B-52s, Belinda Carlisle
 
August 26
Latino Music By the Sea (artist TBA)
 
 
Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series Lineup
 
July 12
George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, the Ohio Players
 
July 19
An evening with Toni Braxton
 
July 26
Musiq Soulchild, Crisette Michele
 
August 2
Old School Night: Salt-N-Pepa, Naughty By Nature, Slick Rick
 
August 9
An Evening with Aretha Franklin
 
August 16
Gospel Night: Bebe & Cece Winans, Fred Hammond
 
August 23
Caribbean Night: Sean Paul, Mighty Sparrow

To watch video of Jimmy Cliff’s interview, just click on Pic on left.

The king of Jamaican reggae plays alongside roots newcomers from South Carolina and Burkina Faso.
Jimmy Cliff is the world’s the best-known living Jamaican reggae musician and songwriter. He is generally credited for helping popularize the genre internationally with his soundtrack to the movie The Harder They Come, in which he also starred. His many hits include “Sitting In Limbo,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Many Rivers to Cross” and the now classic covers of “Wild World” and “I Can See Clearly Now.” He was recently inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and holds The Order of Merit, the highest honor granted by the Jamaican government for achievements in the arts.
Trevor Hall, a native of South Carolina, has been writing and performing since he was fourteen years old. His unconventional mix of acoustic rock and reggae serves as a vibrant backdrop for thought-provoking, inspiring lyrics, which he delivers in a uniquely soulful voice. Of his self-titled 2009 album, Rolling Stone says, “Trevor Hall fills his third album with spiritually inclined roots jams.”
For more than thirty years, Victor Démé has performed his soulful blend of rootsy African blues in bars and clubs of his home town of Ouagadougou, the capital of the landlocked West African nation of Burkina Faso. His heartful vocals evoke the struggle of a hard lived life, but also the confidence and wisdom of a man who comes from the griot tradition and spends his life honing his craft. Having already won acclaim throughout Europe, this is his US debut. But it wasn’t until the intervention of a French journalist and local hip-hop club promoter that he was able to record his first album of all original material. In 2009, his self-titled debut of rootsy blues gems was finally released internationally.
 For more info visit:   info@SummerStage.org
(212) 360-2777