Delfeayo Marsalis

Delfeayo Marsalis will be performing on Thursday June 6, 2013 at “Jammin’ on the River for Dollars and Sense” presented by 100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans. Cruise down the famous Mississippi River and drift under a Cajun Moon listening to the smooth grooves of New Orleans Jazz or dancing to the electric dj mix. Experience New Orleans’ glorious past and present– the delectable cuisine and alluring culture, while traveling on the majestic Natchez Riverboat.This is partying with a purpose.  Proceeds from this event greatly benefit several  of the the signature Mentoring/Scholarship Programs of the 100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans. To purchase a ticket, click here. You won’t want to miss this!

The Uptown Music Theater is preparing for it’s 2013 summer programs. Two programs will be offered: the traditional summer program with academic enrichment and the drama program, which includes auditions, casting, and rehearsals. The program dates are June 10 – July 19, 2013. To download an application, visit the Uptown Music Theater website.

New Orleans native and John McDonogh graduate, Anthony Bean, will join us tonight on Future Focus. In 2000, Bean founded the Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School with the goal of representing those who “have no voice.” Bean has directed plays starring legendaries Chris Thomas King and Irma Thomas. About 40 students, ages eight and above, attend the after school program. In addition to the theater, Bean operates an ABCT clothing line, a youth theater, adult acting classes, and video DVD productions. He also operates a summer day camp, in conjunction with the New Orleans Recreation Department, for students ages eight to 17. For more information, please visit the Anthony Bean Community Theater website by clicking here.

In 2000, Delfeayo founded Uptown Music Theatre, a summer arts program, in New Orleans, specifically to provide junior high and high school youth with musical theatre training. To date, UMT has prepared over 300 students and staged original musicals such as Kidstown, The Pirate’s Conspirate, Jaz and Jazmine Meet the Jazz Band, A New Tale of the Old West, and many more. On May 5, 2013, Uptown Music Theatre will be performing at Jazz Fest from 1:50-2:35pm. Please come out and support.

Tonight, April 13th, we will be performing at Little Gem Saloon at 9pm. Tomorrow, April 14th, we have a set at French Quarter Festival from 5-6:30pm. Wednesday, April 17th, Uptown Jazz Orchestra will be performing at the Mint from 7-8pm.

Tonight from 6pm to 8pm, we will be performing at the Ogden Museum. Located in downtown New Orleans, the museum is known for its beautiful artwork and architecture. We hope to see you there! Click the picture above to visit their site.

Tonight’s guest on Future Focus will be Mildred Dillon CPA, also known as The Money Doctor. After spending six years in Corporate America, Mildred began working for herself. Since then she has consulted clients in management, insurance consulting, tax planning, financial statement preparation, and more. The Money Doctor has published children’s books about financial literacy and also visits schools in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas to help students make smart financial decisions early on. Tune in tonight on NOA-TV Channel 8 at 9pm to learn more about The Money Doctor and what she is doing in our community.

Our Indiegogo.com campaign for No Cell Phone Day has officially ended. Thank you to everyone who contributed, tweeted, retweeted, posted, shared, liked and viewed our campaign. We received a lot of support and appreciate every bit of it. Everyone who contributed will receive an email explaining how each reward will be filled. Some contributors will receive books, others T-shirts and at least one person will receive a lithograph of the illustrations from No Cell Phone Day, autographed by the illustrator.

Be on the lookout for more news about No Cell Phone Day soon.

Yes! There are plenty of exciting awards for No Cell Phone Day’s Indiegogo campaign. There’s something for art lovers, music lovers, and also education enthusiasts. When you contribute on Indiegogo, you have the option of selecting rewards that don’t go to you, but to a local school. Donating a book to a child of your choice, 25 books to a class of your choice, and/or having Delfeayo read to a class of your choice are all options. Take a moment to look at the rewards today by clicking here.

No Cell Phone Daywas illustrated by Reginald Butler. This talented artist, writer and NYC native is no stranger to the art world. With illustrator, director, and producer credits under his belt, it’s no surprise that Reginald was chosen from a pool of artists to illustrate Delfeayo’s first book.

Butler has worked with clients such as Google, BET, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and many more. For his directorial debut, Reginald was honored at the Sprockets Animation Festival in Toronto in 2004.  He’s illustrated a vast amount of Children’s Early Reader work for RedLine Editorial and Reading A-Z. Mostly known for his political/social online comic, Justus, for Reginald, expression is never limited.

For those that contribute to No Cell Phone Day’s indiegogo campaign, , there are several rewards based around the Reginald’s work. When you donate $100.00 you will receive autographed lithographs of the original No Cell Phone Day artwork. A donation of $1,000 will garner you a copy of the original artwork autographed by Reginald Butler. Donations of $1,500 will get you a cartoon self-portrait or caricature from Reginald. Just submit a photo and he’ll take care of the rest. For more information on Reginald Butler and his ongoing endeavors please visitF www.rnbcreative.com.