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Peppy Entertainment and Promotions Weekly e-Newsletter: June 16, 2010
Juneteenth, Father's Day and Summer are here!

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(Above:  Dera Thompkins, Heru, John Baker, Winston Smith, and Marielle Barrow)

On Monday of this week, the "Allspice" portion of Caribbean American Heritage Month kicked off with a panel discussion on "Bob Marley:  Word, Sound, and Power" in downtown, DC.  Scores of people came out to hear panelists Dermott Hussey, Heru, John Baker, and Dera Thompkins each give a different spin on the "legend" of reggae music, Bob Marley.  The event kicked off with Winston Smith on keyboards and Marielle Barrow on vocals singing a rendition of Bob Marley's "Africa Unite" which was a fitting start for what was to follow.  One by one each panelist spoke of their personal experience with Bob Marley (even those who did not know him personally).  Each panelist brought a different perspective on Bob Marley, but all demonstrated how Bob Marley's "music gonna teach dem one lesson" was doing just that -- even today, 29 years after the King of Reggae departed from this Earth.

It was two plus hours well spent and those who attended had kudos to offer to the organizer of the event, Dr. Claire Nelson; the moderator of the event, Von Martin; and all the panelists, including the very modest "Dr." Dermott Hussey who knew Bob Marley personally.  The panelists, and in particular, Heru quoted Marley lyrics effortlessly and used the lyrics to show us that Marley was telling his own story through his music.  All agreed that his messages have become universal, but according to Dera Thompkins, Bob's lyrics were "written for black people."  Heru, who was born in Ghana and grew up in America, spoke of how a Bob Marley album his father had in his collection changed his life forever some 20-plus years ago.  Heru's presentation provided the Pan-African perspective and connected many dots for many of us in the audience.  Being the student of African history that he is, the history lesson we got in "overtime" was right on time!
 
It was a tad unrealistic to expect that with "so much things to say" about Bob Marley, panelists could do a great presentation in the five minutes allotted, but all in all, it was an educational evening and all the panelists used their time well.  Stay tuned for the videos of this event showing the various presentations made by each panelist, and just in case you feel inspired to check out a Marley album, check out "Survival," the album which seemed to be the top pick for Heru and Stan Evan Smith who was my sidekick during the presentation. 

Be sure to check out the other "Allspice" events happening this week including the one I am co-producing "Reggae Jazz and Word Riddims" which happens on Friday, June 18 at Zanzibar. Come right after work and be prepared to network, learn, be entertained, dance, and do your part to assist music education for youths.

This Saturday, June 19 is Juneteenth (also called Freedom Day and Emancipation Day) -- an American holiday honoring African American heritage. Check sidebar at right for more on Juneteenth.  This Sunday, June 20 is Father's Day.  Please DO NOT FORGET THAT FATHERS ARE PARENTS TOO and treat those great men very well on Sunday.  Shout outs to all the mothers who also have to play the role of father due to absentee dads.  Next Monday, June 21 is officially the first day of Summer, but those of us who have been feeling the heat know that summer is already here!  It is obvious in the shorter skirts, exposure of backs, arms and legs, and just in the general way black people are carrying themselves these days.  Yesterday, I missed my golden opportunity to capture "a whale of a woman" who was strutting down Minnesota Avenue in NE, DC in a very skimpy jumpsuit that was struggling for air.  Whew! I know you got the visual, but if you think that is anything, just wait until the Caribbean massive start getting on bad on Georgia Avenue at DC Caribbean Carnival on June 26.

Happy birthday to all celebrating this and early next week including Dianne Eubanks and my friend for life, Suzette Salmon.  Happy belated birthday to hardworking lady, Annette Salmon and everyone else who I am forgetting due to old age. Happy Father's day to all the wonderful fathers out there, including my loving father, Robin Parke.

Have a productive and fun week, and stay strong.

Rosie "Peppy" Parke
Creative Director
Peppy Entertainment & Promotions


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JayArr & Angel Wambui among performers at "Reggae Jazz and Word Riddims" on June 18 at Zanzibar
jayarrJayArr is a reggae singer/songwriter who was born in Sierra Leone.  He has been residing in the US since 1989. JayArr has performed at sold out venues in Sierra Leone, the UK and in the USA. He released his new album "Here 2 Stay" to a sold out audience in one of Washington DC's premiere night clubs Zanzibar on The Waterfront on 28 March 2009. JayArr performed with Maxi Priest and Beniton the Menace at the same venue to a sold out audience on Oct. 3 2009. He is also currently completing his multi-city tour and will be featured alongside Gregory Isaacs at an event at Zanzibar in July.

Visit www.salonejr.com for more on JayArr.

angelwambui

~The Voice of an Angel~ Warm and soothing...that's her distinctive sound...and deeply woven within that sound is a crystal clear message of love.  Georgia-born and northern-raised, poet/singer-songwriter, Angel Wambui comes from a diverse background with a wide exposure to all types of literature, music, religious traditions and philosophies.

"I grew up with lots of contradictions...born in the South, raised in the North, Catholic school and Baptist church.  We finally settled in DC...full of politics and culture.  I've always leaned toward culture and the artistic expression of spirit."

Born into a musical family, Angel was recognized early on as having musical talent and a healing spirit. "I had parents who let me sort of just roam around and discover things. They played classical, jazz, gospel and soul music and let me listen to whatever I pleased...and there were instruments around that I could pick up whenever." But for Angel, the voice was what stood out the most and she began to use it early, singing in church and school choirs and cover bands, eventually becoming a seasoned session vocalist, writer/arranger and voice-over artist.

For Angel, performing spoken word has been a natural evolution as it is an art form that combines thought and sound to affect emotions. "I really enjoy words and have like...a love affair with sound so combining the two with a positive message has led to an intense experience for me...and that's what I want people to feel!" Judging from the responses of live audiences to poems like "Words" and "Addicted," listeners are feeling her vibration and loving her message.


Visit www.youtube.com/angelwambui for more!

JayArr and Angel Wambui will be among the performers at the I LOVE REGGAE/PEPPY ENTERTAINMENT & PROMOTIONS sponsored "Reggae Jazz and Word Riddims" event on Friday, June 18 from 6pm to midnight at Zanzibar on the Waterfront. 

Click HERE for flier and tickets.

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AND OVER 10,000 PEOPLE WOULD BE CHECKING YOU OUT.

If you have an interesting story or article to share, email peppypromotions@gmail.com by Sunday of the week in which you would like the story featured.

If you would like to place an AD in our e-Newsletter, email info@peppypromotions.com TODAY.  All ads must be camera ready and images should be in high resolution JPG format.
Rates as low as $30 per week.
CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH ON JUNE 19TH AND BEYOND!
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Juneteenth is also called Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.  It is an American holiday honoring African American heritage.

"Juneteenth is a day of reflection, a day of renewal, a pride-filled day.  It is a moment in time taken to appreciate the African American experience.  It is inclusive of all races, ethnicities and nationalities - as nothing is more comforting than the hand of a friend."

"Juneteenth serves symbolically, and in reality, as a reference point from which to measure and appreciate the progress and contributions made by African Americans to this society."

"Juneteenth is a day on which honor and respect is paid for the sufferings of slavery. It is a day on which we acknowledge the evils of slavery and its aftermath.  On Juneteenth we talk about our history and realize because of it, there will forever be a bond between us."

"On Juneteenth we think about that moment in time when the enslaved in Galveston, Texas received word of their freedom.  We imagine the depth of their emotions, their jubilant dance and their fear of the unknown."

"Juneteenth is a day that we commit to each other the needed support as family, friends and co-workers.   It is a day we build coalitions that enhance African American economics." 

"On Juneteenth we come together young and old to listen, to learn and to refresh the drive to achieve. It is a day where we all take one step closer together - to better utilize the energy wasted on racism. Juneteenth is a day that we pray for peace and liberty for all."  
 
 
Visit www.juneteenth.com for more information.
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Positive music...all day long!

Deadly Instincts
a novel by Racquel Brown Gaston

Reggae Tuesdays
at Carolina Kitchen sponsored by Caribbean Vibes Radio

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The Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC

BP APOLOGIZES TO AMERICA FOR OIL SPILL
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President Obama and BP reached agreement Wednesday on a $20 billion fund to compensate victims of the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and the giant British company's chairman apologized to America for the worst environmental accident in the nation's history.  BP is suspending its dividends to shareholders to help pay for the costs, said chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg.

Obama announced the agreement after a four-hour meeting with BP officials.

READ MORE HERE

HOT UPCOMING EVENTS
CELEBRATE JUNE...CELEBRATE CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Since 2004, each June the Institute of Caribbean Studies brings the nation's capital a Taste of the Caribbean through the literature, music and other arts.  This year, the festival has been re-imagined and renamed the gathering ALLSPICE to reflect the value of art to our lives.    ALL SPICE 2010 started on Monday, June 14 and ends on June 18.  The events provide a sampling of the gourmet delights from the arts and humanities.  

Click HERE for more on Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Wednesday:  Melting Pot Blues
Thursday: The Healing Power of Art
Friday:  Reggae Jazz and Word Riddims
       meltinpot
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16 AT 6:30PM

Stage Reading of Play: Melting Pot Blues
by C.K. Gardiner

Atlas Theater
 13th Street & H Street, NE
Washington, DC
 "THE HEALING POWER OF ART: WORKS OF ART BY HAITIAN CHILDREN AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE"
THURSDAY, JUNE 18

Opening Reception
 
By Invitation Only!!!
  sponsored by Smithsonian Museum of African Art
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"Reggae Jazz & Word Riddims"

FRIDAY, JUNE 18 FROM 6:00PM TO MIDNIGHT

Performance Poetry, Jazz and Reggae Music with EnsideOut, Image Band, JayArr, Angel Wambui and a very special dub poet!
 

Zanzibar on the Waterfront
 Washington, DC
700 Water Street, SW
Washington DC

Visit www.peppypromotions.com for more information.

Click HERE to purchase tickets.
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Peppy Entertainment & Promotions specializes in Event Planning and Management, Public Relations Services, Artist Development, and other creative services.  Contact us today to "Get PEP! The Creative Choice."

Missed last week's newsletter?  GRAB IT HERE.

Sincerely,
 
Rosie "Peppy" Parke
Peppy Entertainment and Promotions
info@peppypromotions.com
301-395-1013
www.peppypromotions.com