Music

The Motivational Edge Fuses Music and Technology for Local Youth

Itech promo graphic

Miami, FL - The Motivational Edge, iTech, DJ Affect and Irie Foundation, have partnered to bring new music and technology educational opportunities to middle and high school students for free. Programs offered include Lyrical Expression & Audio Recording, The Edge Radio Station and the Irie Rhythms Percussion Program.

Lyrical Expression & Audio Recording classes give students the opportunity to turn their words and thoughts into song lyrics, then allow them to ‘lay down tracks’. This program also teaches students about music production, giving them hands-on experience, working with music software, sound boards and recording equipment.

With live internet radio streaming a huge part of today’s lifestyle, we have partnered with DJ Affect to launch The Edge Radio Station. This platform will let youth create their own personalized Live Digital Radio station to showcase and broadcast their music, conduct interviews, learn about the radio production industry and more. The Edge Radio Station is scheduled to launch fall of 2015.

Classes are offered Monday - Thursday, afterschool, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center. iTech is located at, 6101 Northwest 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33127

IMG_0176

 

 


Back to School Video for Your Mind, Body and Spirit! Before the Bell Rings.

Just in time for school. Parents, friends, family and folks I don't even know: Do check out this video by a poet from the Houston, TX area who goes by the name, SE7EN. Take it all in and do share this message. TOGETHER, we can do things and believe me, other folks know that! Peace. 

BEFORE THE BELL RINGS FINAL from marlon hall on Vimeo.

 Have an awesome, safe and productive school year. Remember that applied knowledge is power.

 

-vb

@vbyers

Related Link: 

Official Website of Se7en the Poet

 

 


Legacy Magazine Honors Florida A&M University Drum Majors

Legacy Magazine Honors Florida A&M University Drum Majors at the Miami Herald Black Heritage Celebration on February 27, 2015. From left, BeMo (Kevin Moyd); TC(Kenneth Harris) and Turk (Willie Hayward) show they still got it!

The marching band holds unparallelled significance in the culture of Historically-Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States. Unlike athletics, the marching bands at HBCUs were not crippled by the siphoning of talent to Predominantly-White Institutions (PWIs) after integration became the law of the land. The Marching Band is frequently the subject of many lively discussions and longstanding rivalries between HBCUs.

Back in the day, Drum Majors, the leaders of the marching band, were superstars among their schoolmates and idolized by high school bandsmen who dreamed of being in their position one day. The drum majors at FAMU and any other HBCU were well-respected student leaders. Members of the marching band are frequently the most visible ambassadors of their school and the Drum Majors are the leaders of that very important group.

Thank you to Legacy Magazine and The Miami Herald for honoring these gentlemen and acknowledging their contribution to African-American culture.


ERYKAH BADU, RUN D.M.C., SHEILA E. & JAZZ IN THE GARDENS ALL STARS COMPLETE 10TH ANNUAL JAZZ IN THE GARDENS MUSIC FESTIVAL LINEUP



March 21st - 22nd, 2015, at SunLife Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida



MIAMI GARDENS, FL – The City of Miami Gardens is proud to announce the addition of Erykah Badu, Run-D.M.C., Sheila E. and Jazz in the Gardens All Stars Ronnie Laws, Roy Ayers, Lonnie Liston Smith, and Tom Browne to the 10th Annual Jazz in the Gardens (JITG) music festival at SunLife Stadium. The two-day music festival from March 21-22, 2015, will also feature artists Maxwell, Toni Braxton, R. Kelly, Men of Soul's Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson and Freddie Jackson, and Brian Culbertson. Comedians and nationally syndicated radio personalities D.L. Hughley and Rickey Smiley will co-host the festival.


Jazz in the Gardens will feature local artists, over 40 exotic food vendors, a Vendor Marketplace, and the most anticipated lineup for the City's milestone 10th year of its signature event. On Saturday and Sunday, doors to the festival will open at 3 p.m. and the show will start at 4 p.m. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster or http://www.jazzinthegardens.com.



The Women’s Impact Conference and Luncheon (WICL) will kick off the Jazz in the Gardens Weekend on Friday, March 20, at the Miramar Cultural Center with the theme "THERE’S NO ‘S’ ON MY CHEST BUT A HERO LIVES WITHIN." The event will feature keynote speaker reality show personality Omarosa Manigault and a surprise guest promised to "wow" the crowd. That same night at the Center, Rickey Smiley and a few special guests from his morning show will host the Official Jazz in the Gardens Pre-Party featuring a comedy show, live entertainment and dancing.



"Without a doubt, this is our most exciting lineup yet," said City of Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert. "And by the reports on ticket sales, there’s no denying it. There is no sunnier, breezier, or better place to enjoy your favorite exotic food, good friends and amazing live performances than in the Gardens in springtime. We welcome our guests who travel from all over the world to celebrate our milestone 10th year of the fastest growing jazz & R&B festival in America."



Predicted early on to break last year’s record of 68,000 tickets sold, tracking a 15% increase in ticket sales, JITG ‘10 is well on its way to breaking its record for an anticipated 71,000 tickets sold.



Official Site: www.jazzinthegardens.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jazzinthegardens
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jazzgardens
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jitg10
#JITG10


 


 



Midtown SummerFest 2014 was all that!





Jenny Love does the most in the VIP Purple Lounge at Midtown SummerFest in Fort Lauderdale

If you are a music lover, you should have been on the scene Friday night, at the Midtown Summerfest in Fort Lauderdale on the historic Sistrunk Boulevard. The musical lineup was incredible ---- Ike and Valerie Woods, Old School Gang, Rubye Baker and my sister from another mother, Jenny Love, brought the Latin Spice and R&B in the VIP Purple Lounge. This, by far, was the best SummerFest and that's saying a lot because it's always an awesome presentation. Congratulations to the Fort Lauderdale CRA andeveryone involved.



 


- vb


 



The Black Archives Presents the South Florida Marching Band Precision Camp, Culminating with Free Symphonic Concert and Marching Band Performances

MIAMI, FL—The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida Inc.will present its inaugural South Florida Marching Band Precision Campfrom July 21-28, 2014 at the Historic Lyric Theater in Miami. This camp is designed to develop middle and high school student’s level of musicianship, marching band skills, dedication, creativity, pride, life-long friendships, teamwork, and overall enjoyment.

"Growing up in the inner city, I learned that music is discipline, music is universal, and music is love," said Timothy A. Barber, Black Archives Executive Director. "Through our program at the Lyric Theater Complex, I want to make sure that students have access to the same, if not better, opportunities that I received growing up."

Approximately 200 students from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Texas will train under the leadership of some of the best and most respected names in music. The head camp clinician will be Dr. Shelby R. Chipman, a graduate of Miami Northwestern Senior High School, former band director of Miami Central Senior High School and currently professor of Music at Florida A&M University. Additional camp instructors and participants include Lindsey Sarjeant, Music Theory and Arranger; Ralph Jean Paul, Director of Brass Studies; Guest Announcer, Joe Bullard; and a host of other band directors from Florida and beyond.

"Campers will be fortunate to work with staff members who comprise of 250 years of teaching experience. One of our primary objectives is for each camper to have a great week of educational, musical and recreational experiences, said Dr. Shelby Chipman, Camp Director. "It is indeed an honor to return back home where my career started in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools."

"At this year’s camp, we have assembled a who’s who in music leadership in hopes to expose our South Florida youth to mentors who will guide them to better achievement and careers in music," Barber said."My plan each year is to invite a variety of college and university music professors from across the country in hopes that students will be able to become known to these directors and eventually secure scholarships to attend these universities."

Band Camp registration fee is $60 per student, including daily lunch and band camp t-shirt. During this one-week period, band camp students will participate in daily rehearsals at the Historic Lyric Theater facilities and Gibson Park in Overtown. At the culmination of the program, band campers will showcase their talents at two free public events, a Symphonic & Ensemble Concert and a Marching Band Performance. The Symphonic & Ensemble Concert is at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2014 at the Historic Lyric Theater. The Marching Band Performance will be at 4 p.m. on Monday, July 28, 2014 at Gibson Park in conjunction with the Black Archives’ Happy Birthday Miami Parade celebrating the anniversary of the City of Miami’s 1896 incorporation.

The South Florida Marching Band Precision Camp is supported and endorsed by the Southeast Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, Miami-Dade County, City of Miami Mayor TomásRegalado, and the City of Miami District 5 Commissioner Keon Hardemon.

For information about the South Florida Marching Band Precision Camp, or more information about Black Archives programming at the Historic Lyric Theater, visit www.theblackarchives.com or call 305-636-2390.

 

 


Overtown Music and Arts Festival-Saturday, July 19, 2014

 
Musical Feasts of Delectable Bites, Artistic Vibes On The Menu for Summer Family Fun Celebrating Overtown
Overtown_Music_Festival
 
Miami, FL __Headliner Market Group (HMG) is putting the finishing touches on their production of this year’s Overtown Music and Arts Festival that will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2014 in the Overtown Business District (NW 3rd Ave between 9th and 11th streets). The event runs from 11am to 7pm and is free. 99 Jamz radio personalities will be on stage from 3pm-6pm. Once known as “Miami’s Little Broadway”, Overtown previously hosted music greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and Aretha Franklin. In the past, the “Colored Town” was frequently visited by international guests seeking to enjoy its one of a kind food, music and entertainment. 
 
HMG has carved out a niche within the entertainment landscape of South Florida, with their spot-on reputation of producing renowned signature events at the world renowned  Liv on Sundays, and Story Nightclub to name a few. Some of the music industry’s heavy weights who call on HMG to put on larger than life events include - Diddy, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Drake, Beyonce and Dwyane Wade to name a few.
 
“We are excited to extend the HMG brand by producing the Overtown Music and Arts Festival. Celebrating the rich cultural vibe of Overtown is important to enhancing its sense of community. We intend to provide a fun, festive and family-friendly environment that promises to become a staple event people will look forward to for years to come.” states Michael Gardner, CEO of HMG.
 
The musical feast line-up includes the soulful sounds of Grammy nominated artist Raheem Devaughn, multi-talented musician and TV One’s R&B Divas star Keke Wyatt, 90’s music favorite singer Case, soul vocalist Jaguar Wright, singer/songwriter Teedra Moses, one of South Florida’s favorite local bands, Deep Fried Funk, emerging artist Sebastian Mikael, and South Florida local comedian and singer Larry Dogg.

The SEOPW CRA  seeks to highlight Overtown’s rich culture and  history by supporting initiatives like the Overtown Music and Arts Festival.  The partnership between the CRA and HMG aligns with the agency's goal to enhance Overtown by attracting visitors and helping to support local businesses.

 

 

 


The legendary B.. King at the Arsht Center on January 5

B.B. NEW PHOTO - Photo credit George Lange-3

Multi-Grammy Award winning “King of Blues”  B.B. King will perform at the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall in the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org

 

Photo: George Lange

 


Bob Marley Messenger Closing Party 1/4/2014

Bob Marley History Miami

January 04, 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Put on your reggae dancin' shoes to close out the Bob Marley Messenger exhibition. Visit the galleries after hours, listen to DJ Waggy T spin a three-hour marathon session of Bob Marley music, Spanish language reggae tunes from Tony G, and a Marly tribute by award-winning jazz artist Nicole Henry. Witness the creation of a Marley portrait, painted live by artist Trek6.

RSVP by December 27, 2014 to 305-375-1614 or [email protected].

HISTORYMIAMI MEMBERS: FREE
NON-MEMBERS: $10