Featuring URBAN ART BEAT’s talented youth performers: LG (formerly known as Luigi), Noble Inc, Kassandra and MC Linda!

The Artist Niche Showcase Series, a bi-monthly event, aims to connect artists who raise awareness in their art, or who are activists outside of their art, with an industry audience. The Showcase Series is part of an initiative to bridge the gap between the entertainment industry and the non-profit community. Acknowledging that there are artists who work in the non-profit sector, support causes in their work, or whose art is conscious, The Showcase Series aims to expose artists to executives, producers, directors, managers, publicists, writers, and talent scouts looking to make a change in the entertainment industry.  This week the feature non-profit is Urban Art Beat.

Megaciph and Too Deep are two MC’s and friends that have collaborated on numerous musical efforts over the years. Both artist are releasing new albums in the coming months. We welcome you to come and celebrate the completion of the recording process with them on March 8th at Katra Lounge for a Dual Listening Party.

Dj’s Milk Money and Ice Rocks will be spinning your favorite tunes as well as the soon to be released music from both artists’ respective projects. Come to listen, to dance, to network and have a good time, as well as enjoy a performance from the MC’s.

Urban Art Beat (UAB) would like to sincerely thank you for all of the support you have given our arts programming in 2010.  If you have been following our website and/or Facebook page you have seen that we have conducted a number of successful events throughout the Tri-state Area this past year.  Last summer UAB led “Song Writing for Social Change” workshops at NYU and at the Center Against Domestic Violence.  We  began creative collaborations with film maker Sol Tryon and photographer Alexander Richter, Ballroom Basix, and the IERC Education Foundation. In addition to our work in the schools  we also performed at a Verizon Conference, the Bowery Poetry Club, and the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, to name just a few.

                                                                            Photo by Alexander Richter.

These events are always exciting as they involve family members, unite community, and inspire others to express themselves through art.  However, the real life-changing work goes on in the classroom. It is there that we connect with students in a way that confirms their very existence.  The relationships that form among mentors and students are invaluable. Not only are we increasing their leadership and communication skills by challenging them to take academic and social risks, we are listening and guiding, while creating music and art to share!

Our programs fight NYC’s high drop out rates. UAB youth participants frequently ask their mentors about their international travel and college experiences. The youth participants become peer leaders and community advocates.  Whether an exchange with Scarsdale, NY, or a book drop at the Kips Bay Bronx Homeless Shelters, our field trips exponentially expand their world knowledge.   From Brooklyn, to Westchester, our students experience art as a catalyst for community improvement.  The time spent collaborating on a song increases their social, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.   Truly inspirational outcomes.

                                                                            Photo by Alexander Richter.

It is you who make this incredible work possible!  Your contributions permit us to offer more workshops to more students in more places! There are many schools that have no art and/or music classes, and so many youngsters who could benefit from weekly “art” time with a dedicated mentor.

With you as a continuing donor, New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) as our fiscal sponsor, and new volunteers becoming mentors every season, our opportunities are unlimited!  We at UAB hope you will take a few minutes before the end of the year to help launch us into 2011 with a generous, tax deductible donation.  With your support UAB can continue to serve those with the greatest need by expanding our programming to new sites and sharing the gift of creative expression!

We wish you and yours a wonderful and productive 2011!

How to Be a Hero…

1. The easiest way to give?  We can receive funds through online donations:http://artspire.org/Artspirelogin.aspx?action=donateNow&pid=A8000

2. Prefer to write a check? Please make it out to our sponsor, NYFA with Urban Art Beat noted in the bottom left as the E.O. (Emerging Organization) Questions for NYFA? Email: tjwitham@nyfa.org

New York Foundation for the Arts

20 Jay Street, 7th Floor

Brooklyn, NY, 11201

3. Spread the word! Pass this on to family and friends before 2011, so that they may also be a hero and get help on their taxes year!

This is how we will use your donation! Never doubt that your contribution (big or small) has made a difference.

$25 = Notebooks and pens for 10 young writers

$50= 1 hour class with an experienced musical mentor

$100= 2 day workshop on Song Writing for Social Change

$300= Microphones and PA for life changing performances

$1,500= 6 week in-school program with a celebratory show at the end

http://www.urbanwordnyc.org/uwnyc/index.php?q=0



For post event PICTURES visit: http://www.optimusfoundation.com/site/!!

Optimus Foundation and Urban Art Beat are Proud to Present the “Labor of Love” BBQ and Fundraiser!
This is a FREE ALL AGES EVENT! (Donations are welcome)
Help us Keep our Social Programs Alive and strengthen the connection between the youth and local artists.
Save after School Song Writing Workshops run by Urban Art Beat! Visit www.refresheverything.com/urbanartbeat for more info and to vote online.
**Any one that is looking to get involved with us, meet and greet with staff or has a potential location for us come by with your friends and family.
Location: Brooklyn Launch Pad: Crown Heights, 721 Franklin Avenue Brooklyn NY 11238 http://www.brooklynlaunchpad.org
Time: 2-5PM

Urban Youth Artists Unite!! From the South Bronx, to Chelsea, to Bed-Stuy this city is jumpin’ with Ridiculously Talented Gente. If your act is Tough and your aim is True, UAB would like to invite you!

Talented Youth Unite!! A Showcase and Music Video Shoot!!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=189884621497&v=app_2344061033#!/event.php?eid=116941901678973&index=1

When: Tuesday, June 15th 4:30-6:30 pm
Where: Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery
Manhattan, NY

Free to Public. Family and Fan Friendly – Bring em!

Looking for …
Poets, Break Dancers, singers, drummers, Emcees, musicians, Video Contestants!

Last Year we had 3 different Groups from across the city, and it was incredible. Be there as we blow it out!

Performers/Mentors/Teaching Artists: Let me know by June 9th what kind of act you or your crew will perform and how long. Send Tracks or HIT Ms.K with Questions…
urbanartbeatnyc@gmail.com

PRIZES:
1st Prize: Your own Music Video!
Winning song will be made into a music video created by Sol Tryon, the director of the film The Living Wake. Your Video will be shown at the premier of the film on May 14th at The Cinema Village Movie Theater: 22 East 12th St. NY, NY!

2nd Prize: DVD of you and your crew at a live performance of your Ultimate Party Track.

Entry Prize: All Qualifying contestants will receive free admission to see premier of The Living Wake and the winning video.

SONG CONTENT:
To write your Ultimate Party Song, focus on this question:

If you knew tomorrow was your ultimate day on earth…

** TIPS-Describe Who or What in your life is most important to you.

Write about what have done that makes you unique! Be creative!

Song Guidelines:
1. Find/Create an original beat.* 2. Write an original song/poem, focusing on the suggested content, with at least 2 verses of 16 bars. 3. Email lyrics and contact information of all artists involved in the making of your track to urbanartbeatnyc@gmail.com by midnight, Thursday, April 15th 2010.

• You may enter more than one song/poem. (Solo and Group)
• Please use school appropriate language and references.
• All song writers must be 18 or younger to enter.
• *If you use a commercial beat you may be asked to sing/rap your lyrics over a different beat.
If you are writing a poem or spoken word piece, you do not have to have a beat!
• **Although not required, it may be helpful to email an MP3 file or video of you performing the song along with the lyrics.

Any Questions Please email UAB director Rosaleen Knoepfel:

urbanartbeatnyc@gmail.com

Join the Contest Event on Facebook!!
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115819291766063