Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Soft Focus"

I love a good indie film. Indie films tend to have much grit, edge, passion, flesh (Yes I have quite the carnal side from time to time).  And there are some indie films that  miss the bar of my sensual desires.  Nevertheless I appreciate, the person's courage and drive to get it done.  Well not to worry, there is no missing the bar in Soft Focus written, directed, and produced by filmmaker Rod Gailes.  Check it out, FREE screening on Vimeo.  It's rare that films of this high caliber are open for the public viewing with no cost.  Thanks Rod, cast, and crew and best of luck.  

http://vimeo.com/51408119

SOFT FOCUS

SOFT FOCUS

starring Damian Omar Lee

written, directed, & Produced by Rod Gailes OBC

A portrait of Marcus, a repressed college student pursuing a deeper carnal knowledge to escape his religously strident home life. For additional artwork and to download music from the film, please visit softfocusfilm.tumblr.com.

A Shadow and Act Films Presentation of an OBC Dream Theatre Production.

Written, directed and produced by Rod Gailes OBC; Brandon E. Littlejohn, Associate Producer; Tambay Obenson and Rodney Parnther, Executive Producers

Cast:
Damian Omar Lee - Marcus
Madeleine Dauzart - Mama
Aaron Clifton Moten - Kunta
Angela Lewis - Niecy
7Teen - Boy on Subway

Production: James Francis Richards, Director of Photography/Color Correction; Mikal Din, Director of Photography; Stacey L. Holman, Boom Operator; Dominique Jenelle, Make Up; Bayete Smith, Unit Photographer; Jack Taylor, Video Archivist/Media Manager; Russell Ezekiel Stewart, Additional Photography; Rocky McNeary, Production Assistant; Shadae Lamar Smith, Production Assistant; Tasheem Brodhurst, Production Assistant.

Post-Production: Sewra G. Kidane, Editor; Cory Choy, Supervising Sound Editor; Cory Choy, Robin Shore, Peter Dodenhoff, Sound Design; Sound by Silver Sound; Cinque Northern, Opening Credit Photography; 1987 Productions, Creative Consultant & Music Supervision; John Angier, Original Score; Songs by Dynasty Electric & Lynette Williams.

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "A Ramp to Paradise 2"

RAMP TO PARADISE

Hey Future Fam,

It has been a few weeks since I've posted, however life is moving along
as I continue to adjust to LA life.  Want to share an awesome evening of
theater, dance and house music in homage to the legendary and groundbreaking
underground club:  The Paradise Garage.

Sad to say I will not be in NYC to experience this, however if you are
there DON'T DON'T DON'T Miss it.

"I see my light, I see your light.  Namaste."

THPAC PRESENTS RAMP TO PARADISE

1 Performance ONLY!!! November 8th, 2012 @ 7:30PM

The Kumble Theater in Brooklyn, New York

www.thelmahill.com

Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) in association with Kumble Theater present: A Ramp to Paradise 2

A Ramp to Paradise 2 is a multi-media dance narrative of one night during the 1980s at the edgy, predominantly Black and Latino LGBT New York City dance club, Paradise Garage which featured the awe-inspiring DJ talent of the late Larry Levan, live performances by everyone from Luther Vandross, Jocelyn Brown, Patti Labelle, Grace Jones, Madonna to Sylvester. 

 

Ramp 2 is presented in commemoration of 25th anniversary of the closing of this memorable underground fixture of the New York club scene.

 

 

Tickets: $25.00
(Ticket prices includes performance and after party)

Thursday, November 08, 2012 at 7:30 PM
Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts
One University Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 488-1624
Website: www.kumbletheater.org
E-Mail: info@kumbletheater.org

Enjoy GMAD on Friday, October 26th for their Halloween Findraiser Masquerade Gala

Purchase Tickets in Advance at: 

 http://gmadmasquerade.eventbrite.com

FILM SCREENING: "We Were Here" October 30th

Maysles Cinema

GET DOWN Campaign & our event partners

A-Marketing, GMHC, The Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, 

LOGO Network and POZ Magazine

Invite You To The

NO MORE STIGMA FILM SERIES

Sex, Sexual Identity, and Sexual Health Awareness

We Were Here

the feature documentary film by David Weissman

and

The GET DOWN Campaign presents

Something About Katie

a documentary short film by Kyle Sweet

Get Down Internship Program 2012

Q&A Discussion with David Weissman, director, We Were Here

Tuesday, October 30^th

6:30pm Reception

7:30pm Screening

Maysles Cinema

343 Malcolm X Boulevard / Lenox Avenue

between 127th and 128th Streets

Suggested Admission Donation $10

ADVANCE TICKETS: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/282088

MORE INFO: http://www.mayslesinstitute.org/cinema/nomorestigma.html

Motown Launches Casting Call for Actors to Play Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson

By Adam Hetrick

Producers of the upcoming Broadway musical Motown are launching a nationwide casting search for African-American actors to portray young versions of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder as well as such music legends as Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson.

In addition to a previously launched online casting campaign, the creative team has announced open auditions in Detroit, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City in advance of Motown's Broadway debut this spring at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The musical is based on the life of record mogul Berry Gordy.

The casting breakdown is seeking one actor between the ages of 8 and 11 with a "phenomenal high tenor" voice who can sing and move like Jackson at 10-years-old, during his Jackson 5 days and also portray 11-year-old Stevie Wonder and a pre-teen Gordy himself, described as a "bit of a hustler and bit of a dreamer."

In addition, adult actors are being sought to portray the physical and vocal likenesses of Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson. An additional African-American actor with a low bass range (solid low C) and female African-American singers who can cover the songs of Diana Ross are also being sought during these calls.

Auditions will take place in Detroit and New York City on Nov. 3; followed by Los Angeles on Nov. 10; Chicago on Nov. 18; and Atlanta on Dec. 1.
Click here for more information on the auditions. Online submissions are also being accepted.

Gordy, who also authored the book to Motown, is producing the musical along with Tony winner Kevin McCollum (Rent, In the Heights, Avenue Q) and Sony Music CEO Doug Morris. The jukebox musical will begin Broadway previews March 11, 2013, towards an April 14, 2013, opening.

Charles Randolph-Wright will direct Motown, which will be studded with songs made famous by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five.

Tony nominee Brandon Victor Dixon (The Color Purple, The Scottsboro Boys) and Valisia LeKae (Ragtime, The Book of Mormon) will co-star as Gordy and Diana Ross, respectively.

The musical promises "a gripping story about the protégés and stars of a uniquely talented musical family who, under Berry Gordy's guidance, began as 'the Sound of Young America' and went on to become some of the greatest superstars of all time."

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Shadows & Lights - Post International AIDS Conference"

 SUMMER 2012 

ART+ADVOCACY

HIGHLIGHT

Enjoy!

Shadows & Lights

Post International AIDS Conference

AIDS 2012 Conference in DC, was an overwhelming experience full of love, challenges, and reflection.  It was powerful to be in the vibration of thousands of people sharing in this walk to combat the disease. Whether through science, community mobilization, and art. It was a safe environment for me.  

I thank the International AIDS Conference and its committee of leaders for accepting my work to be part of the  XIX annual conference.  I thank the Global Network of Positive Leaders for offering me a place in their leadership community.

I thank Tom Viola, Executive Director Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Broadway community for granting me with a scholarship to attend the XIX International AIDS Conference.  

Finally, I thank the Black AIDS Institute, Chris Bland (for his application assistance), and Phill Wilson (CEO Black AIDS Institute) for his leadership, inspiration, and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Enjoy this feature of Shadows & Lights 

International AIDS Conference 2012

MY TURN TV: Emerge Fashion Show Red Carpet