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AZEA Awards Nomination Night on Nov. 21 in Phoenix

AZEA Awards Nomination Night
The 2010 Arizona Excellence in the Arts Awards

November 21
Starts at 7 PM

Doc's Place, 40 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix
 
Click on the flyer below or visit www.EventSpecialtyPartners.com for more information.

Black Pearl Poetry Presents: Kevin Sandbloom & The Last Poets' Umar Bin Hassan at Herberger Theater on Nov. 16 in Phoenix

Submitted by DaVaun Sanders, Black Pearl Poetry Public Relations Assistant

Grammy nominee Kevin Sandbloom & The Last Poets' Umar Bin Hassan highlight an evening of poetry, music, and dance with “Again for the First Time,” in a one-night-only performance. Through an innovative collaboration between Black Pearl Poetry and The Herberger Theater, this concert offers the first bold evening in a new series of artistic events. Tickets on sale at www.herbergertheater.org.

Black Pearl Poetry and The Herberger Theater present “Again for the First Time: Kevin Sandbloom & The Last Poets' Umar Bin Hassan.” on Monday, November 16th, 2009. Doors for this event open at 7pm with the performance beginning at 7:30pm, Stage West at the Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, Arizona.

Umar Bin Hassan is a living legend, considered a keystone member of The Last Poets since 1969. The group is widely regarded as an originating force behind Hip Hop. Their poetry and music empowered the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, and is held on par with Nikki Giovanni, Gil Scott Heron, and Amiri Baraka. Most recently honored with a Grammy nomination for The Last Poets' collaboration with Common on “The Corner”, Umar Bin Hassan remains a timeless voice in Hip Hop.

Kevin Sandbloom is a Grammy-nominated artist who hails from Pasadena, California. His unique blend of soul and funk earned a soundtrack selection for “Once in the Life” by Laurence Fishburne, in addition to several independent films. A voracious producer with six full length albums to his credit, Sandbloom's music remains in high demand among venues and campuses nationwide. A loyal fan base will eagerly await selections from his latest album when his coast to coast tour arrives in Phoenix.

Appearances from Phoenix's elite poets and songwriters will round out the evening, including four National Poetry Slam Semifinalists. The night heralds the beginning of InMotion Mondays, a fresh series for the downtown Phoenix metro community.

“The Herberger is one of the most storied places downtown for arts events,” says Edward Mabrey, founder of Black Pearl Poetry. “We are thrilled to bring national level poetry shows to such a deserving stage. That attention is long overdue in Phoenix.”

About Black Pearl Poetry
Black Pearl Poetry is a Poetry Based Promotion and Management company dedicated to continuing artistic expression in the community. The company provides weekly outlets for slam poetry, as well as youth workshops, and major performance events. First founded by Edward Mabrey in 2005, the company relocated from Columbus, Ohio to Phoenix, Arizona in 2008. Black Pearl hosts weekly poetry slams in Tempe, Arizona and downtown Phoenix. The staff is also partnered with Arizona State University to support the Sun Devil Slam Team, and also provides leadership for Young Voices Be Heard, an Arizona nonprofit dedicated to youth spoken word workshops and poetry slam.

Christian Dance Company Presents "The Spirit of Christmas" in December

The Christian Dance Company from Tempe Dance Academy is celebrating its 22nd year this December, with “The Spirit of Christmas,” a Broadway-style musical and dance performance which features nationally recognized guest singers, performers, and choreographers who will delight audiences in the Spirit of Christmas.

What:
A cast of over 100 local dancers ages three through 25 from across the Valley will be presenting holiday dances in jazz, tap, ballroom, pointe, and musical theatre. Major highlights of the show are the Rockettes’ original number of “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” a thrilling Russian acrobat number and a rousing Irish tap number and many more!

When & Where:
Thursday, December 17, at the Mesa Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 20, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Gammage Auditorium at ASU in Tempe. (2 shows)

Cost:
Tickets range from $22-$30 and can be purchased at the Mesa Arts Center, the Gammage Auditorium, or through TicketMaster.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Child Crisis Center in Mesa, AZ.

For more information, contact Wanda Manville at (480) 820-0795.

About the Dance Company
Christian Dance Company (CDC) is a Tempe-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to integrate faith, life, and the art of dance longing to offer itself to the glory of God and the service of humanity, making a true difference in the world. Tempe Dance Academy at 1840 E. Warner Road in Tempe, has been in business for 55 years. Many of its dancers have gone to work professionally in the field and some have appeared on the hit show, So You Think You Can Dance.

View a 30-second video of a past Spirit of Christmas show at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cr0PUT3iWY

Common Ground Presented by EPIK Dance Company on Nov. 20-21

EPIK Dance Company, one of Arizona’s premier street-fusion dance companies, is partnering with 92.7/99.3FM The BEAT to take their infectious passion for music and dance to the stage!

Presenting their first annual performance concert, “Common Ground” will treat audiences to more than 90 minutes of original choreography, developed and presented by members of the company that features contemporary, jazz, hip hop, breakdancing, punking, and a variety of other dance styles. 

Shows will be held at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix on Nov. 20-21.

Click on the flyer below for more info!

Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals to Host Soulful Solstice on Nov. 20

Join the Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals for the group's Soulful Solstice Scholarship Fundraiser on Nov. 20 from 6-9 PM at the Wells Fargo History Museum in downtown Phoenix.

Please read the flyer below for more info.

Artlinks First Fridays at Bentley's Lounge in Phoenix - Oct. 2009-Jan. 2010

The Artists of the Black Community/Arizona (A.B.C./AZ) will be hosting ARTLINKS FIRST FRIDAYS at Bentley's Lounge, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix from 6-10 PM on the following dates:

• Oct. 2, 2009
• Nov. 6, 2009
• Dec. 4, 2009
• Jan. 1, 2009

ARTLINKS FIRST FRIDAYS will feature some of the finest African American art - ceramics, paintings, drawings, sculptures, mixed media and much more. Light refreshments and entertainment will be provided.

Admission is FREE to the public.

For more information, call Larry Wilson at (480) 694-9415.

Shakur’s Artistry™ in Phoenix to Host Fine Art in Wood Dimensions Workshop Starting in November

Come join Shakur’s Artistry™ for a five-weekend workshop making FAWD© (Fine Art in Wood Dimensions), a layered wood technique to give your work dimension. Using my wood created concept, we will make beautiful fun projects. Shakur’s Artistry™ is run by a self-taught artist who enjoys working in several mediums. Shakur’s Artistry™ will demonstrate for you:

• Working with wood machines
• Safety Tips and Gear
• The use of a variety of tools and techniques

Shakur’s Artistry™ will provide pre-cut designs to choose from; it will be up to you to sand, paint and assemble your finished project that may value up to $100 or more.

Classes begin on Nov. 21.

Read flyer below or visit www.shakurs-wetpaint.vpweb.com for more information.

Hood Access Weekly Radio Show Plays Independent Music from Local, National Recording Artists

PRLog (Press Release) – Sept. 16, 2009 – Hood Access is a locally owned ”Urban” formatted radio show broadcasting live on RadioPhoenix.org in Phoenix, Arizona. Hood Access is seeking music submissions from independent local and national Hip Hop, Rap, and R&B artists looking for airplay.

The show’s music library features music from artists, like Brother Ali, Chali 2Na, LaCoka Nostra, Keignz Ransom, 3Riple Threat, and Tri Camp. It also plays newly released singles from major artists, like Maybach Music Group Triple C’s under Rick Ross’s record label.

Owner and DJ, Tiffany Edenfield, launched the radio show on September 5, 2009 and is extremely thrilled over the growing popularity in the first two weeks. Edenfield states “most new radio shows are very slow in building interest, but with hot producers, like Charlie Mac of www.whosthehottestrapper.com, the popularity of the show is beyond expectations.” The station boasts of listeners from Phoenix, Las Vegas, New York City, and Maryland, including international listeners from United Kingdom.

Edenfield admits “it’s awesome to receive an e-mail from listeners across the states. Internet radio is becoming more accessible so people are able to listen to the show on their smart phones and PDAs. This is great because independent music artists gain more exposure and potential fans outside of their home city, even their state!"

Hood Access would like its music library to contain more than 30% of local independent music to add to its playlist that can be occasionally mixed with music from national independent and major artists. Some of the Phoenix artists currently receiving airplay include Ruttown Kru recording artists MsZ2Much, Jrue, and J’Me (Phoenix, Arizona), along with Tony Bars (Litchfield, Arizona), and Dragon X (Phoenix, Arizona). National independent recording artists include Russell Young (Waynesboro, Virginia), Bigg Fev (Las Vegas), Smokee (Las Vegas), and Tilly Key (Hollywood, California).

Independent music artists and their representatives are encouraged to submit professionally produced MP3 formatted recordings to airplay@hoodaccess.com, for consideration.

About Hood Access: is syndicated and broadcasted live on www.radiophoenix.org. The station is based out of Phoenix, Arizona that is available on the Internet every Saturday, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM (Arizona).

For additional information about Hood Access, send email to press@hoodaccess.com. You can also join their social networking pages at myspace.com/djhipnotik, myspace.com/hoodaccessshow, and twitter.com/hoodaccess. The official website launches November 2009 - www.hoodaccess.com.

About Wutz Hood Network: is a media company that provides promotional exposure for independent music artists in the form of radio airplay, Internet TV, and Internet magazine publishing. To learn more, e-mail info@wutzhood.com.

Black Pearl Poetry Shows in the Phoenix Metro Area

Open Mics, Special Performances for Teens, College Students and Adults

Black Pearl Productions (BPP) offers TWO WEEKLY shows which include an Open Mic (anyone can sign up and read), poetry slams for those whom wish to compete to go to various events. Also, the show will host special guests, such as poets from HBO Def Poetry Jam, Cave Canem Fellows and national and international slam champions.

Black Pearl Poetry Tempe Thursdays
Time: 7:30 p.m. (doors open), 8:00 p.m. Show starts, 10 p.m.(time to go)
Location: MADCAP Theaters, 730 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, Ariz.
(at Seventh and Mill on the strip next to Uno's restaurant)
Cost: $5 general/$4 student

Hosted by Ed Mabrey, Myrlin Hepworth and guest hosts

Black Pearl Poetry Phoenix Fridays
Time: 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
Location: The New Fair Trade Café, 424 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
(downtown at the Civic Space Park beneath the large Net Artwork close to Central Ave. and Van Buren St., across from ASU Walter Cronkite building)
Open Mic, Poetry Slams for adults, ASU students, and teens 14-19
Cost: $5 general/$3 student/$2.00 Teens (14-19)

Please visit blackpearlpoetry.blogspot.com for more information!

HomeBase: The Poets' Poetry Set on 1st & 3rd Sundays in Phoenix

HomeBase: The Poets' Poetry Set - hosted by HB

HomeBase happens EVERY 1st and 3rd Sunday!

Doors open at 6 PM (early arrival is recommended)

Time: 7- 10 PM

Location: Downtown Sheraton, 340 N. 3rd St., Phoenix

Cover: $5 per person

For more information, please send an e-mail to homebasepoetry@cox.net.

Editor's Note: If you are living in the Phoenix area and you have not attended HomeBase yet, you are truly depriving yourself of one of the most gratifying, powerful, thought-provoking, pride-filling experiences, you'll ever have as an African American here! It's truly amazing to see the talent that graces the stage and I'm in awe of the fact that HB and his wonderful staff have managed to turn HomeBase into a MOVEMENT! It's so refreshing to attend an event with so many positive people of all races who are all gathered in one venue to support spoken word and each other! I believe HomeBase has the chance to be one of the most celebrated black events in Arizona's history! Make sure you slide into HomeBase every chance you can!!  

Spraygraphic Apparel Launches Social Network for Creative Minds

Artists of All Mediums Joining New Creative Community

Submitted by Spraygraphic Apparel

Phoenix, AZ - Spraygraphic Apparel recently launched a free social network for creative people looking for a space to share and showcase their creativity with others.

Spraygraphic.com combined its affinity for art and activism to create a high-end, design-oriented Website where members build dynamic profiles and portfolio pages demonstrating their creative work.

Spraygraphic has spent two years developing and designing its new website with the hopes of creating a "Thought Provoking Community" where creative minds can get away from the distractions of other social networks and focus more on their creative efforts and building relationships with other creative and pro-active people.

Members come from all disciplines of art: Visual Art, Design, Music, Film, Performance and Text, but the Website is not limited to professional and trained artists.

Spraygraphic believes people have the capacity to be creative, whether they doodle notebook or a haiku on a piece of scrap paper. All creative efforts are welcome!

Spraygraphic.com would like everyone to realize his/her creative potential and make a positive impact through the world by using his/her creative talents and inspire others to do the same.

Spraygraphic.com has many fun and unique features that enables members to build Thought Provoking Profiles. Members begin by picking their favorite interests to make easy for other members with similar interests to find them. Spraygraphic provides a link section that enables members to link back to their own personal Websites or other social networks like Facebook and MySpace, as well as provide links back to affiliations with organizations and schools. There is also a feature that allows members to post their resumes, professional image-based portfolios, and availability for employment, as well as post events onto the site's Community Calendar and a BLOG that interviews artists every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Every member’s profile page is comprised of four major sections (CREATIVE, ACTIVISM, TRAVEL and MOTION) that allow users to show a fuller picture of themselves. All of the sections are optional and Spraygraphic members can create a profile with just one section or all four sections. It’s up to them.

In addition to all of these cool features, Bands and Musicians can upload their music and make their songs available for other members to create and share MUSIC MIXTAPES to listen to while they are logged on to Spraygraphic.com.

Spraygraphic.com's design, application, and content serves the creative individuals searching for something different on the Internet, a free online community that values aesthetics, design, art, and creativity.

Black Theatre Troupe - Home of African American Theatre in the Valley

The Black Theatre Troupe has been the crown jewel of African American professional theatre in the Valley since the 1970s.

I have many fond memories of visiting the Helen K. Mason Center for the Performing Arts on 333 E. Portland when I was a kid. I remember when the Black Theatre Troupe hosted the play "227" before it became a popular TV sitcom! The crowd laughed and hollered the whole night! Even back then, I was amazed at the talent of the actors on stage! I was filled with pride to see people on the stage who looked just like me!

I encourage all African Americans in the Phoenix area to support the Black Theatre Troupe!

Please visit BlackTheatreTroupe.org to find out about the current season of performances:

• Steal Away - Oct. 1-11
• Three Sistahs - Dec. 3-13
• Fathers and Other Strangers - Jan. 14-24, 2010
• A Lesson Before Dying - Feb. 18-28
• One Mo' Time - April 22-May 2
  

The Black Theatre Troupe also conducts educational workshops and produces quality plays which reflect the African-American experience and help to illuminate the culture to the Phoenix metropolitan area and throughout Arizona.

For more information, please visit BlackTheatreTroupe.org!

PhxSoul.com is not responsible or liable for any changes, misrepresentations or misleading information related to the performances and is in no way affiliated with the Black Theatre Troupe.

Visit the African American Multicultural Museum in Scottsdale

Did you know that Scottsdale is home to an African American museum? Yeah, I was shocked when I first heard about it too!

However, I finally made a visit in October 2007 to the African American Multicultural Museum, 617 N. Scottsdale Road, and my shock turned to pride after my experience there.

The African American Multicultural Museum offers an incredible opportunity to not only learn about African and African American culture, but you can also hear about and see the influences of all races and cultures on our world today. The numerous artifacts in the museum give you a glimpse into how our ancestors lived, hunted, made music and socialized thousands of years ago.

The African American Multicultural Museum's mission is "Fellowship through Education."

If you are involved with an organization that's looking for a unique environment to host a social event while learning about our history, I'd definitely recommend that you contact Ed Van Dyke and his staff. There is no fee to visit, but the museum gladly accepts donations.

Please click here to learn more about the African American Multicultural Museum today!

Get Up, Get Out and Do Somethin'

I hear it all of the time during my conversations with other African American professionals.

• The youth of today just don't care about life ... they have too many horrible influences ... the world is in trouble.
• Phoenix doesn't have many great African American role models or leaders.
• Phoenix has no culture.
• Phoenix doesn't have many black businesses.

But I always ask them, "What are YOU doing about that?"

I'm always amazed when people complain about the civic, social, cultural, business and/or political problems in Phoenix, because 9 times out of 10, those same "complainers" aren't trying to make a difference in the community.

They go to work, then go home. OR ... they go to work, go to a nightclub, then go home.

How does that help our community grow?

I want African American professionals to stop complaining, stop making excuses and get involved!

This is just a small list of the organizations you can get involved with:

• Big Brothers, Big Sisters
• Greater Phoenix Urban League
• Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce
• Black Board of Directors
• NAACP
• University of Arizona Black Alumni-Maricopa County
• National Black MBA Association (Phoenix Chapter)
• The Links Incorporated
• Mocha Moms of Phoenix

Of course, there are numerous other religious, family related, civic, business, Greek, charitable organizations in Phoenix, you just have to get out there and find your niche! You can visit the PhxSoul.com Local Business Directory to find other black community organizations in the Phoenix area.

Search the Web, read local black news publications such as the Arizona Informant, Arizona Noir, the AZ Black Pages, the Ebony Cactus or just ask around!

You gotta get up, get out and do somethin' people!

Let's make Phoenix a better place and give more meaning to your personal lives!