Peppy Entertainment and Promotions Weekly Newsletter 
April 30, 2010

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Join Papa Wabe, Ichelle Cole, and Mr. Muzik on "Reggae, Roots and Culture" this and every Saturday from 10am to 1pm.
Listen online at www.weaa.org or tune your radio to 88.9FM if you are in the Baltimore/DC area!


Check out REGGAE TUESDAYS every Tuesday at Carolina Kitchen in Hyattsville.
LIVE BAND from 7:30pm to midnight.
$5 rum punch and planters punch ALL night.
Great people, great food, great vibes!
FMI: 301-332-6935
www.reggaetuesdays.com

Enjoy live reggae every Thursday from 6pm to midnight at Crossroads Club located in Bladensburg, MD.
Visit www.crossrosadsclub.com for more information.

SITES TO SEE

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If you are an artist with positive content, contact [email protected] to get your music on the #1 site for positive music downloading!


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Music, news, interviews.
24-7
www.caribbeanvibesradio.com


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If you are a Jamaican or a friend of a Jamaican, consider becoming a member of the Jamaican Nationals Association.  The organization needs YOU to continue to help Jamaicans around the globe.
Visit www.jnaofdc.org to learn more and download your membership form.


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Visit www.thedcph.org to donate to Haiti

JUNE IS CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

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June is the month in which we highlight and celebrate all things Caribbean by hosting various events in Washington DC and other parts of the USA.

On Thursday, June 17, I will be hosting the annual Spoken Word/Music Networking Extravaganza entitled "CARIBBEAN RIDDIM POWER" and I am inviting artists, vendors, and sponsors to be a part of this event.

If you are a spoken word artist, author, and/or musician (especially with Caribbean roots) and would like to be included on the program, please email [email protected] and submit your bio and a sample of your work.

If you are interested in being a sponsor or vendor for as little as $100, email [email protected] ASAP to secure your spot!

Stay tuned for event flier and more on Caribbean American Heritage Month in ensuing weeks.

Click HERE to see the slide-show of last year's "Caribbean Riddim Power" event which featured MUTABARUKA straight from Jamaica.
ladiesrunthingsFamily, I know some of you cannot believe it either, but tomorrow is the beginning of the fifth month of 2010!   May will bring Mother's Day on May 9; Labor Day on May 23 (Jamaica); Victoria Day (Canada), Bermuda Day (Bermuda), and Independence Day (Eritrea) on May 24;  Memorial Day on May 31 (USA); and other celebrations around the world.
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May is also Older Americans Month so please do your best to protect and serve our seniors.The studious ones will also be graduating in May, so congratulations are in order. May promises to bring even better weather, cookouts and parties galore.  I hope you are looking forward to a new month which could also mean new beginnings.  I still cannot get over the fact that April has sped by so fast.

boltatpennrelaysSpeaking of speed, last Saturday the highlight of the Penn Relays (which should be renamed "The Jamaica Relays") was the 4x100m race in which Usain Bolt once again proved why he is so magnificent.  From the moment Bolt entered the stadium, all hell broke loose and fans all around got super-excited; jumping up and down and craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the fastest man in the world!  Bolt did not disappoint.  After winning the race, and to show his appreciation, Bolt jogged around Franklin Field waving, dancing, smiling, and posing for his fans. It was simply beautiful.  My heart swelled with pride especially when the two white men beside me joined in the excitement and kept saying things like "Unbelievable!" and  "He is sooooooo amazing!"  I concur -- especially those very wide shoulders of his. 

As we welcome a new month and get ready to celebrate mothers and seniors, I wish you love, light and positive vibrations.  If you do not get a newsletter from me next week, it is because I am celebrating the week with my Mommy.

Catch you later,

Rosie "Peppy" Parke
Creative Director
PEPPY ENTERTAINMENT & PROMOTIONS
www.peppypromotions.com
[email protected]
WHO IS TESSANNE CHIN?

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Born and raised in Jamaica, Tessanne Chin has music in her blood.  Her mother was the trumpeter/singer in a band called the "Carnations" and her father was the drummer.  Tessanne was introduced to music at a very early age and when she was 6 years old, she started her stage career with Cathy Levy's "Little People and the Teen Players Club" -- one of Jamaica's top performing arts school.  Music runs in the family, so it should be no surprise that Tami Chynn is Tessanne's sister.

At the age of 12, Tessanne was sent to England, where she learned firsthand about cultural diversity.  Because she was in a different world, she devoted a lot of time writing songs expressing her experiences. On her return to Jamaica, she joined the band "Mile High" and performed for crowds at numerous venues in Jamaica.  "It was during this time that I came out of my shell vocally and learned how to truly sing in a different way...my way."  That experience led her on the path of pursuing a solo career.  She left Mile High and the rest is "herstory."   


Tessanne now writes her own songs and is the fresh soulful voice of a new generation of Jamaican musical talent.  A purist at heart, Tessanne describes songwriting as an organic process.  She believes there is life and magic in live music that can't be duplicated using computer-generated tracks.   "It is very important to me that my songs can sound amazing with a big band or orchestra, but just as powerful and touching with just me and my guitar."  She fuses dancehall and reggae with other genres such as rock, and creates a musical style that is uniquely her own.  Her exceptional vocal talent and her exotic looks give her unmistakable stage appeal and she is requested for many shows.  She has shared the same stage with numerous artists such as Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack, Atlantic Star, Boyz 2 Men, Keyshia Cole, Damian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Air Supply, Mary J Blige and Neyo.  She also toured the world as a backup singer with the Reggae legend, Jimmy Cliff and has collaborated with many artists including her sister, Tami.

 

Tessanne Chin is making waves in the music industry.  She is determined to make a difference with her music, and to leave her mark on everyone who has the opportunity to hear her music or witness her LIVE shows.


Click HERE for my "10 Questions for Tessanne."


To learn more about this amazing young lady, and hear some of her songs, visit www.tessanne.com.  To contact Tessanne, email [email protected].


WASHINGTON DC BIDS FAREWELL TO AMBASSADOR ANTHONY JOHNSON
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(Left:   Ambassador Johnson receives one of many gifts presented by JNA President, Claudette Henry.  Onlookers include representatives from Jamaica and Suriname at left and Embassy CRO, Natalie Campbell-Rodriguez at far right)


On Wednesday, April 28, many gathered at The Chancery (Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, DC) to say farewell to one of the most personable ambassadors ever!  It was standing room only and scores of well-wishers had to be content with hanging out on the stairs or in the hallway with the hopes of catching a glimpse of His Excellency Anthony Johnson, the man of the hour.   Many openly expressed sadness at his departure from DC, and even more could not believe that he had been in that capacity for a mere two years.  Ambassador Johnson is leaving DC to assume his new position as Jamaica's High Commissioner to London.

Presentations were made by Clifford Chambers of the Embassy who stated that he would miss the Ambassador and his "constant cheerfulness."  Rick Nugent of the Jamaican Association of Maryland presented Mr. Johnson with a plaque and called him a "patriot."  Claudette Henry of the Jamaican Nationals Association (JNA) made presentations of a book, a certificate of appreciation, and a cute gadget called a "decision maker."  She thanked the Ambassador for working closely with JNA during his tenure and stated that he will be missed. 

The love and admiration for the Ambassador was apparent in the room at The Chancery -- a sentiment which seems to be the general consensus around DC.  Among the many to praise Ambassador Johnson are President Barack Obama and Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton who have both lauded Ambassador Johnson for strengthening the ties and friendship between Jamaica and the USA.  In fact, President Obama has even quoted from some of Ambassador Johnson's speeches to demonstrate his respect and admiration (for Ambassador Johnson).  Always witty, the Ambassador remarked  (to that sentiment) "Be careful what you say when you say it, because you don't know who is listening."  I could not help but shout out, "They know EVERYTHING!" 

The highlight of the night was (of course) the Ambassador being jovial yet serious at the same time, while staying true to his Jamaican heritage.  He reiterated that one of his greatest wishes is to see more exports from Jamaica to the USA.  He made reference to other ethnic groups who have capitalized on various business models and stated that his hope is that Jamaicans and Caribbean people in general will get serious about getting into BIG business. 

Other high points of the night were singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" in honor of the Ambassador and singing "Go dung a Manuel Road, gyal and bway" and the National Anthem of Jamaica per the Ambassador's request.  The food was great, the vibes was sweet, the attendees were diverse and sociable, and the Ambassador was witty, warm and wonderful as usual.

As the Ambassador exits, we pray that incoming Ambassador, Audrey Marks will also be a hit with the Jamaican and CARICOM community here in DC, and with the USA in general. 


Visit  www.embassyofjamaica.org to keep abreast of Embassy news and other developments.

 

This Newsletter is produced by Peppy Entertainment & Promotions, LLC.
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