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 Hitsville U.S.A. is the birthplace of Motown music--the unique sound that changed the world in the 60s and 70s! Over 70,000 visitors each year walk through the structure that gave rise to voices like The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and The Four Tops. Of course, there were many more...including the songwriters, instrumentalists and the Founder Berry Gordy Jr, the guy who started it all. So...when it was discovered that the museum was planning a 50 million-dollar expansion, anticipation and excitement filled the atmosphere! It could not have happened to a greater musical legacy and city. The planned project is set to reach 50,000 square ft. and looks like it could be part of the Las Vegas Strip...but it isn't. It's Motown-our town!  After Berry moved his record label enterprise to L.A., Hitsville U.S.A. closed, but emerged as a nonprofit in 1985 and has served visitors for 34 years. Fundraising for the nonprofit began in 2016, intensified in 2017 and has garnered support from heavy hitters like the DTE Energy Foundation, UAW-Ford, Ford Motor and William Davidson Foundation. As a young woman listening to the falsetto voice of Eddie Kendrick and the "soulful, churchy" voice of David Ruffin, the writer joins others in recognizing that it is high time the city honors the men and women who shared their talents with the world, and positively influenced social issues and American values.
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 God Sent by Rafa Don, is a single in the Hip Hop/Rap genre that reveals the transformation of rap music from what many perceived as inner city, subculture music by African Americans, to the respected genre it is today–a musical entity that has found its way into mainstream pop. God Sent went a step further and labeled its secondary category as Christian/Gospel. The lyrics suggest faith, determination and an awareness of the origin of true goodness. It is simply saying, “All goodness comes from God.” God Sent can be found in places like Amazon, Spotify, Youtube and the artist’s website @ http://makewayent.com.  At times, have you ever felt the world is swirling around you, moving at a pace difficult to reconcile? God Sent encourages slowing the pace, embracing the natural elements of life and gaining an inner peace. Originally, four key elements defined rap music: chanting rhythmically, scratching with turntables, break dancing and graffiti writing. God Sent represents two of those: chanting rhythmically and DJ turntables. So…walk over to iTunes or one of the websites listed above and let this single be a “God Sent” for you.  Get your tickets now...space is limited!
The Prayer Breakfast is the Second Annual Fundraiser. Funds support FREE lessons for under-privileged children and the purchase and repair of musical instruments for the children. Donations are accepted here. No donation is too large or too small. Help Create a Smile with Music! Stand Up for the Arts!
Most of us born in the twentieth century, were able to get music education in public schools. School districts viewed the arts as an essential element in the life of a child. They knew it is through the arts that we develop feelings, empathy, kindness and discipline.  What happened to that understanding? In today's public schools, music education is a dinosaur. Only a select number have it, and where it is most needed, it is not there. Under-privileged children find that artistic need in video games--games where children learn to kill, mutilate bodies and see violence as normal.  Then we wonder...why is there so much violence, anger and hate in society today? Come on...I know music is not a cure-all, but it is one of the pieces that help give the puzzle identity. Educational Arts Society is a small, non profit seeking to help fill the void public education has imposed on America's children by offering FREE music instruments and lessons to underprivileged children. However, foundations overlook small non profits...say they are not making a difference. We know they are, and will somehow continue to find funding to do so. Here are a few qualities that music provides to children. It:
When children contribute to society in a positive way, we all win!   Presidential Candidate comes to Detroit! Senator Kamala Harris will be the keynote speaker at the May 5, 2019 NAACP Dinner. She is fearless, forceful and "tells it like it is." What can we expect? Certainly, she will speak about the corruption, total disrespect of the law by the Trump Administration, the crisis at the border and Mueller Report. But... I believe she will focus on other important issues that face our nation--issues like racism, bigotry, health insurance, prison reform and country division.  America is undergoing a change in moral values that many find quite unsettling. It appears what we treasure as "a sense of right" is constantly diminishing to "a sense of whatever I can get away with." Each of us must analyze deeply who we are, where we desire to go and map out a plan to get there.
Politicians are people...they do not have all of the answers. It is up to the populace to decide "enough is enough!" Let's roll back the tape on today's trending of honesty, respect, true brotherhood and...truth. It will be interesting to see how Senator Harris and all of the candidates respond. Will I attend the dinner? Nope...but I will make sure I hear "sound bites" of her speech!  Boney James! The four-time Grammy nominee, saxophonist, songwriter and record producer, will blow his horn at the Detroit Opera House on April 20, 2019 at 8 pm . Be there!
There are those who wonder about the genre he specializes in. Some say "smooth jazz," others say "jazz.." Whatever the genre, concert attendees will move with his beat as he showers them with melodies and rhythms. James was born in Rochelle, N.Y. on September 1, 1961 and chose the sax for his instrument at age 10. Receiving a degree in history years later, did not deter him from going full-time into entertaining audiences after graduation. He can "hang" with some of the greats: Faith Evans, George Benson, Philip Bailey, Jaheim, Eric Benet and more. So... grab a ticket and solidify your seat! You will be entertained superbly!  As the age of four, Mom tossed me on the church stage to say a speech. Not only did I get tossed, so did every kid she had! Mom loved those speeches! As each kid grew older, the speeches grew longer. Consequently, when high school, college and grad school presentations involved standing in front of an audience, I did not get "the jitters." This continued well into adulthood. But...after being interviewed by a friend and he announced I was good enough to have my own show...I said, "Oh no!" It was one thing to speak for a few minutes, another to host a show! In an effort to build my confidence, he said, "You're good!" Slowly, the idea took root, and at the time, being a prolific writer and author of two books, it was natural to plan a show entitled "Talk to the Author with Dr. Mamie Smith." And... I learned I could pick my topics, materials, interviewees and everything! I had free reign! Wow! Early in my first year, it was an honor to interview Motown Flutist Dayna Hardwick!  That was great! Imagine little ol' me sitting and talking with such a famous, yet gracious lady! That's a story I will write in the future!
 The Detroit Foundation Hotel Brunch Returns Enjoy a brunch at the Detroit Foundation Hotel from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. It returned on February 10, 2019. Take a look in the Apparatus Room of the hotel.  Lori Light Becomes Chicago's First Black Female Mayor
She is a democrat and federal prosecutor. She promises to rid the city of corruption and help low income and working-class people. |
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