Majyck Radio-Kalamazoo, MI- In 1986, three community members, Gail Sydnor, Lois Jackson and James C. Palmore agreed that something sustainable was needed to maintain community engagement after the first Black Arts Festival held the same year in August. For the years to come, the Black Arts Festival is a way to keep African American art and culture in the forefront year round. Their brainstorming actions resulting in the founding of the BACC (Black Arts & Cultural Center).
Historically located at Bronson Park and recent years, occupying Arcadia Festival Site in downtown Kalamazoo, the 29th annual Black Arts Festival will operate out of LaCrone Park, located in the heart of Kalamazoo. This years theme, Ignite the Community has themes for programs throughout the week. There will be events everyday for everyone to enjoy and share July 13-19, 2015.
See list of scheduled events: Monday July 13th Theme: Inspiring Education (Through the Arts) Location: Epic Center Theater and Atrium South Kalamazoo Mall, 359 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm Details: Arts workshops, including poetry, dance, vocal performance, visual art and theater, instrument testing and demonstrations for the whole family. $5 suggested donation, FREE for BACC members.
Tuesday July 14th Theme: Going Back in Time Location: Douglass Community Association 1000 W Paterson St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Time: 11am-8pm Details: The Black history of Kalamazoo, Michigan on display. All artifacts and antiques from local artist, Mr. Murphy Darden’s personal collection. $5/person, $2 for students & seniors, $10 for families of 3 or more, FREE for BACC members.
Wednesday July 15th Theme: Next Generation Empowerment (Youth Health Day) Location: Bible Baptist Church 1700 N Drake Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 Time: 11am-2pm Details: Youth Day with a focus on health will include community partners who focus on health and youth development, cooking demos, exercise demos, youth talent showcase, basketball tournaments, arts & crafts activities and more. FREE for youth!
Thursday July 16th Theme: Increasing Economic Empowerment Location: Epic Center Theater and Atrium South Kalamazoo Mall, 359 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Time: 5:30pm-9pm Details: Film screening of “Resurrecting Black Wall Street” by Dr. Boyce Watkins followed by networking. Local businesses may purchase information tables for $25. Business cards will be drawn for a 90 second pitch to be made by a local business at the event. FREE to the community!
Friday July 17th Theme: Transcending Talent (Arts Exhibition & Showcase) Location: Epic Center Theater and Atrium South Kalamazoo Mall, 359 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Time: 6pm-7:45pm Details: Live art, poetry and music followed by the debut of BACC’s Face Off Theatre Company and the premiere of “Been Loving You-An Exploration in Black Love Through August Wilson”. $10 admission fee, FREE for BACC members.
Saturday July 18th Theme: Engaging & Empowering Weekend Location: La Crone Park 535 W. Paterson St. Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Time: 11am-8pm Details: Vendors, food, entertainment, activities, culture and fun for the whole family. FREE to the community!
Saturday July 18th Summer Black Party Theme: Engaging & Empowering Weekend Location: Epic Center Theater and Atrium South Kalamazoo Mall, 359 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Time: 9pm-1am Details: Live music by DJ Chuck and DJ Conscious, food, drinks, red carpet photos by Steele Candy Photography, Age 21+, $20 in advance, $25 at the door, $10 in advance for groups of 10.
Sunday July 19th Theme: Engaging & Empowering Weekend Location: La Crone Park 535 W. Paterson St. Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Time: 11am-8pm Details: Vendors, food, entertainment, activities, culture and fun for the whole family. FREE to the community!
Twenty shows and forty artists over three months and the capacity for over fifty thousand audience members, New York City’s SummerStage Festival presents the continental United States’ largest array of free Latin music performance this year.
SummerStage embraces as many contemporary and classic expressions as available. Artists in this year’s SummerStage represent emissaries from Puerto Rico, Brazil, America, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Mexico, Peru and The Dominican Republic in the fields of contemporary pop (Pamela Rodriguez, Julieta Venegas, Carla Morrison), salsa (Moncho Rivera, Sammy Garcia, Johnny Ray), MPB (Preta Gil), bachata (Toby Love, Andy Andy), hip-hop and reggaeton (Tego Calderon,Cuarto Poder, Los Rakas, Emcida), classic soul and funk (Joe Bataan, WAR,The Ghetto Brothers, Larry Harlow), freestyle (George Lamond), electropop (RVSB, Natalia Clavier, Raul Campos, Alex Anwandter, Gaby Amarantos) and contemporary folkloric music (Lila Downs).
THE CARPETBAG BRIGADE and NEMCATACOA TEATRO / ELIZABETH MITCHELL / NATURAL EXPRESSION RHYTHM BAND / ASE DANCE THEATER COLLECTIVE / IFETAYO YOUTH ENSEMBLE
A few legends of hip-hop will perform at Casino del Sol’s AVA May 23 as the “Kings of the Mic” tour kicks off in Tucson. LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Public Enemy and De La Soul are all scheduled to perform.
WATERLOO, ONTARIO, –BlackBerry and Zimbalam, a leading global digital music distributor for developing and independent artists, announced today that they are working together to offer unsigned musicians an easy and efficient way to bring their music content to the BlackBerry(R) World(TM) store front.
Zimbalam and BlackBerry will leverage Zimbalam’s expansive distribution network and custom technologies to give independent artists the ability to sell their music around the world onBlackBerry World.
Artists will enjoy Zimbalam’s clear and simple interface and dailysales reports. Customer support is tailored to the artist’s local language and distribution packs are adapted geographically. Artist salso have the opportunity to evolve and move their careers a step forward as currently over 20 artists a month are offered the opportunity to work with A&R and develop their careers.
To get started, artists simply visit www.zimbalam.com/?partner=BlackBerry, create an account withZimbalam, choose their release dates and the territories they want tosell their music in, pay a small distribution fee, and begin selling their music. Artists remain free and independent and earn 90% of their royalties from sales.
“Zimbalam exists in order to allow unsigned artists to get theirmusic on to digital music stores and to find their audience. We areexcited to be working with BlackBerry as it will give artists accessto a different fan base and help with the discovery of their music,”said Denis Ladegaillerie, CEO of Zimbalam.
“Whether you’re an independent artist, label or simply a customer wholoves to create music, Zimbalam through BlackBerry World will be afantastic vehicle to share your music with the world,” said Martyn Mallick, Vice President Global Alliances and Business Development atBlackBerry.