AUTHENTIC, Collective for Women Artists and Musicians of Color
PR+, “It’s All in the Name.”
___________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Women, under 25, Making Moves in Art and Music While Giving Back to Philadelphia
On Saturday, November 1, 2008, AUTHENTIC and KHOLI PR+ will present (in conjunction with Philadelphia’s local artist hotspot, The Arts Garage), a “Dance for Democracy, the third event in AUTHENTIC’s “Art for Awareness” series.
AUTHENTIC is asking that all community organizers, promoters, politicians, business executives, and anyone not named in this list come out to The Arts Garage on November 1, 2008 at 6 pm.
Everyone is invited because democracy is not anyone’s exclusive responsibility.
“Dance for Democracy” takes the best of your local poets, musicians, artists, and community organizers, then brings them out from behind closed doors into public view to release their political opinions. The event, sponsored by Glaceau Smart and Vitamin Water and The Arts Garage, is part community fundraiser for Philadelphia’s Project H.O.M.E. and City team Ministries, part listening party for Philadelphia native and recently-signed Columbia recording artist, Selina Carrera.
Simone Banks and Carrie Y.T. Kholi, Co-Founders and Partners in AUTHENTIC and PR+, agree to describe their “mixed-medium” events using one word: different.
“I wish we could put questions on our flyers,” says Banks. “Like, ‘Tired of the same ol’ same ol’?’” “Philadelphia has a lot of really awesome and authentic artists and musicians right here. We also pull from NY, D.C., Baltimore, and Atlanta. You don’t have to go far to find talent. AUTHENTIC and the artists that we work with are just trying to remind people that you can do that. You can find the talent, market it, and still care about your community. You can still give back. This is not something we see every day.”
“We are writers and students first, you know?,” adds Kholi. “… Simone is a journalist because of Temple University. I care about words and craft because of Hampton University. We stalk talent because we feed off of it. It fuels our passion. It makes us stop and think, ‘Who is this artist? What can I do for her? What can she do for AUTHENTIC? What new partnership, new creative force is going to be formed?” As she laughs, Kholi adds, “Then we think, ‘Now how can we write about this, blog about it, talk about it, let the world know?’”
“Dance for Democracy” will serve as a solid opportunity for the Philadelphia community leaders to come together with the Philadelphia community. This is an event, a moment of extreme potential, not to be missed.
Final Event Details:
• Where: The Arts Garage, 1516 Parrish Street, Philadelphia, PA / 1533-35 Ridge Avenue Philadelphia, PA (Both addresses apply to the same venue.)
• When: November 1, 2008 at 6 pm
Entry fee:
• One donated coat for Project H.O.M.E.
OR
• $5 donation to City Team Ministries
*** THIS IS AN OUTDOOR EVENT ... BRING TWO COATS ... ONE FOR YOU ... AND ONE FOR PROJECT H.O.M.E.
About Selina Carrera
Selina Carrera is a prolific, stylistic vocalist, recently signed to Columbia Records as a recording artist. Carrera's distinctive sound is a blend of Latin jazz and hip-hop, vocally. A futuristic lyricist too complex to be classified as a rapper, she fits under the title of MC, and is also a spoken-word poet. Like most great vocalists, Carrera began singing in her church choir at the age of eight, and has been professionally trained since the age of ten. Carrera's main musical influences are samba, salsa, jazz, funk, and hip-hop. A Philadelphia native, Carrera was both a student at the Girard Academic Music Program and a vocal major at the Creative and Performing Arts High School.
Recently, her hard work has been recognized not only locally, but also around the country. Carrera has been humbled by having the privilege of being managed by Chris Schwartz, co-founder of the renowned independent label, RuffHouse Records. RuffHouse was responsible for fostering such acts as Kriss Kross and The Fugees. Carrera is now hard at work producing her debut album.
Selina Carrera is blessed beyond words and feels completely satisfied with the way life is taking her. As a real musician she is definitely an artist on the rise and will be truly legendary.
About AUTHENTIC / PR+
Authentic / PR+, as a partnership, is a visual art and music collective focusing on female artists, usually of black and Latino descent. We work with, and brand, many female artists in various geographic regions of the United States, some including Queen Sheba, DJ ShErOck, Toy, DJ Victoria, Selina Carrera, and many more. AUTHENTIC recognizes the power of music and art to change and affect lives and, as such, is in the process of creating a series of events raising awareness about sexual violence, homelessness, LGBTQ rights, and AIDS; especially within the Philadelphia community.
“Art for Awareness” Events:
• September 3, 2008: AUTHENTIC Launching at Luxe Lounge (featuring TK Wonder)
• September 14, 2008: “Sex-Less” (An MC Battle of the Sexes) at Silk City
This event was sponsored by The Peace and Love Movement and Rebel City Music. It was a promotional event to support non-violence by encouraging alternative means of expression.
• October 24, 2008: Rough Language Poetry Slam at Bubble House (featuring Selina Carrera, FlyGirrl, and Amun Miraaj)
This event was sponsored by AUTHENTIC and Below the Radar Productions. It was a $500 Poetry Slam raising awareness for breast cancer.
• November 1, 2008: “Dance for Democracy” at The Arts Garage
• January 17, 2008: Rough Language Poetry Slam
• February: Details TBA
• March 13-24 2008: EXPOSE: Art for AIDS
Media Contacts:
Carrie Y. T. Kholi
AUTHENTIC / PR+
404.732.5592
carrie@roughlanguage.com
