KARAMU HOUSE ANNOUCES ARTS AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL

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Media Contacts: Neal Hodges

216.795.7070 (x. 249)



Vivian C. Wilson: 216.795.7070 (x. 215)



KARAMU HOUSE ANNOUCES ARTS AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL AT THE HISTORIC KARAMU PERFORMING ARTS THEATER WITH CLEVELAND MAYOR FRANK JACKSON SERVING AS HONORARY CO-CHAIR SATURDAY AUGUST 18, 2007



CLEVELAND– July 28, 2007 – Karamu House, the nation’s oldest multicultural arts institution and Black theater, will host an arts and cultural festival at the historic site on Saturday August 18, 2007. Cleveland mayor Frank Jackson and Cuyahoga county commissioner Peter Lawson Jones will serves as honorary co-chairs. The event will run from 12 noon – 8 pm.

Organized by Cleveland community activist Bob Render and Karamu House artistic director Terrence Spivey, the event will incorporate a bevy of local and national talent outside and inside the theater with a headline performance by local R&B artist Conya Doss. Other outdoor entertainment includes a poetry slam hosted by poet Q-Nice; gospel sensation Kelly Chapman; The New Jerusalem Mass Choir and a special performance by the national puppeteer group, The Crowtations. Local comedian Cool TLC and deejay veteran Lady Skill will serves as master and mistress of ceremony. Other acts are scheduled to be announced at a later date.

Inside, festival goers can experience arts & craft activities for kids; a film screening series featuring short films and local independent cinema (hosted by Reel Deal: A Film Series) and a special theatrical performance to be announced at a later date. Food and non-food vendors will be on site.

The Karamu Arts & Cultural Festival is sponsored in part by First Merit, Cleveland Clinic, Dominion East Ohio Gas and Shore Bank. The Cleveland Public Library is supporters of the film screening event. For more information, call 216.795.7070 (x.249).