Broke Wide Open 500 Names Campaign - Be A Part Of The List & Support

500 Names, Yes, FIVE. HUNDRED. NAMES. YOUR NAME is needed on the 500 Names campaign list ASAP! Playwright, Performer, Composer and Poet Rock WILK, is raising funds to support a commercial run, a full production of a show that is an absolute MUST SEE; a play that is a culmination of 5 years of his unrelenting spirit and hard work. His incredible, life changing, dream awakening, soul penetrating New York City, true life musical, BROKE WIDE OPEN is the story of his Adoption and search for identity and home. Join me in supporting him by getting your name on his 500 NAMES list here.

 A theatrical phenomenon, BROKE WIDE OPEN is one of the best gifts of story that I've encountered LIVE on stage, one that is ready and worthy of a Broadway run, a show that has won the hearts of audiences and supporters who continue to purchase ticket after ticket and attend show after show, and write about it all over his Facebook wall and website. I could sit here and type a mountain of praise, but you deserve to have your own unique experience, free of the full extent of my hype and regard but if you really want to know exactly what was on my mind after I saw BROKE WIDE OPEN for the first time, its available here. All of the information that you could possibly want to know about BROKE WIDE OPEN and the 500 NAMES campaign is on Rock's website here.

Consider supporting an artist who continues to give back and support the people, and who LIVES the change that he wants to see in the world everyday; something that many folks have only dreamed and aspired to do. Rock WILK is not only a committed artist, he is a leader, a brilliant mind, a human from humble beginnings changing lives one show at a time. He is dedication walking and like no other person that I've ever met. I'm not quite sure how I managed to donate to this fundraiser, while knee deep in college debt and other unmentionable financial craziness, let's just say there was a will, and so I found a way - I had to. If you are still reading, thank you for attention and know that your next step is only a link away. Help me, help Rock raise funds and gather the resources needed to mount a full, multimedia musical production of his life story, his musical BROKE WIDE OPEN. Add your name to the 500NAMES list here.

Feel Free to share this information or re-post this article on your site, please be sure link back to this post as source credit. Help me spread the word!
-Ebony Brown

If you're on twitter, find me, lets get the word out!
@fotojunki
#500NAMES
#TeamRockWILK
#BrokeWideOpen

If you're on Wordpress find me at,
www.allthingsebonybrown.com
 
[Design by Ebony Brown]

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Event Card Design by Ebony Brown | Broke Wide Open at the Medicine Show Theatre in NYC 12/12

New York, NY - New York native, Rock WILK, playwright, performer, composer and subway “creative” performs his life’s work, BROKE WIDE OPEN, as a “Thank You” tribute to his audience, supporters and patrons of the arts on Monday, December 12, 2011 at 6pm (doors open at 6pm; show starts at 8pm) located at The Medicine Show Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10019 (between 10th and 11th Ave.) BROKE WIDE OPEN, written, composed and performed by Rock WILK, is directed by Stephen Bishop Seely and production sponsored by Jack Sharkey. Originally conceived as an album almost five years ago, BROKE WIDE OPEN is an evocative, soul baring musical about the true life story of Rock WILK’s adoption, identity and search for home.

An evening of shared experiences and humble beginnings, this celebration and performance will be live, documented and remembered. Famous Famiglia Pizzeria is providing a generous donation of their world famous pizza – a gesture of support that has come full circle. Rock WILK was their very first customer; loyal since Famous Famiglia Pizzeria first opened their doors to the neighborhood (on 96th Street in Amsterdam Avenue in New York City) in 1986.

High energy, honest, and unforgettable, BROKE WIDE OPEN is a poetic and orchestral unveiling of truth with Rock WILK as both maestro and menace. In BROKE WIDE OPEN, Rock WILK, fostered three times and finally adopted as a baby, takes us on a journey where he recounts and relives life changing consequences and decisions. Like martyr, like savior, like rebel without pause, Rock WILK is insistently fighting to enlighten and protect anyone and everyone in his path. A force, a hurricane, a cyclone of well intentioned chaos, Rock WILK is a tempest of love; he is valor and destruction all wrapped up into one. Testing the limits of every relationship in his life, Rock WILK’s journey to explore cause, and find home, becomes both incessant and reluctant. Emotionally gripping and spiritually giving, BROKE WIDE OPEN is also hopeful with pockets of laugh out-loud, comedic revelation. Rock WILK’s transgressions and triumphs throughout BROKE WIDE OPEN inspire unsolicited introspection; like a mirror and milestone, this theater piece compels many to face themselves and transcend to that which they are open and willing.

Facebook RSVP: http://on.fb.me/bworsvp
www.brokewideopen.com

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BROKE WIDE OPEN by Rock WILK, Directed by Stephen Bishop Seely | A NYC Story of Adoption & One Man's Search For Identity & Home

New York native, Rock WILK, actor, playwright, poet, adoptee and subway “creative” brings his life’s work - his play, BROKE WIDE OPEN back home to New York City, from the recently riot-ravaged but resilient London, for the United Solo Theatre Festival, at Theatre ROW, The Studio Theatre, located at 410 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10003 on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 9pm. Written, composed and performed by Rock WILK; Directed by Stephen Bishop Seely; and Production sponsored by Jack Sharkey; BROKE WIDE OPEN is an evocative, soul-bearing musical about the true life story of Rock WILK’s adoption, identity and search for home.

High energy, honest, and unforgettable, BROKE WIDE OPEN is a poetic and orchestral unveiling of truth with Rock WILK as both maestro and menace. In BROKE WIDE OPEN, Rock WILK, fostered three times and finally adopted as a baby, takes us on a journey where he recounts and relives life changing consequences and decisions. Like martyr, like savior, like rebel without pause, Rock WILK is insistently fighting to enlighten and protect anyone and everyone in his path. A force, a hurricane, a cyclone of well intentioned chaos, Rock WILK is a tempest of love; he is valor and destruction all wrapped up into one. Testing the limits of every relationship in his life, Rock WILK’s journey to explore cause, and find home, becomes both incessant and reluctant. Emotionally gripping and spiritually giving, BROKE WIDE OPEN is also hopeful with pockets of laugh out-loud, comedic revelation. Rock WILK’s transgressions and triumphs throughout BROKE WIDE OPEN inspire unsolicited introspection; like a mirror and milestone, this theater piece compels many to face themselves and transcend to that which they are open and willing.

“...I want you to know that I’m open
That I’m always receiving
Expectant of nothing
But hoping for something
Something unforeseen,
Something prodigious
Praying for an accident
Of the most startling kind…”

–Rock WILK, BROKE WIDE OPEN

Tickets are $18 via www.telecharge.com  | 212.239.6200

www.brokewideopen.com
United Theatre Solo Festival 

[Photo Credit: Serge Cashman]

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Design by Ebony Brown for Rock Wilk in the United Solo Theatre Festival

My recent design work.

(Playbill Ad, Postcard, Web Ad /Newsletter Banner)

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NYFW 2012 Sponsorship Package Designed for Lexington Style Magazine by Ebony Brown

A day in the life of a purchase college alumni... 

THE SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE

My recent work includes designing a New York Fashion Week 

 Sponsorship Package for Lexington Style Magazine.

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Earsay Benefit: Transforming Trauma into Art | Purchase College Faculty Warren Lehrer & Wife, Judith Sloan Makes a Difference in the Lives of Immigrant Teenagers

Earsay Benefit: Transforming Trauma into Art hosted by WNYC's Brian Lehrer held at the Society for Ethical Culture Center in New York City (one block from Lincoln Center), was an evening of monologues, dance, hip hop, music and poetry with performances by: Universes, Carl Hancock Rux, Judith Sloan, Warren Lehrer, Elise Knudson. Musical guests: Jie-Song Zhang and Krussia of the Stone Forest Ensemble and MiWi LaLupa. Also actors read excerpts from Judith Sloan and Warren Lehrer's book Crossing the BLVD. They  included: Bridget Kelso, Chris Kamau, Justin Hudson, Catherine Hanna, Bridgit Antoinette Evans, Vaimoana Niumeitolu, Prerana Reddy, and Jonathan Stuart (from Viper Records), and a special performance by high school students from EarSay’s Transforming Trauma Into Art theatre project.

WHAT IS EARSAY?

EarSay is an artist driven 501 (c) 3 non-profit arts organization dedicated to uncovering and portraying stories of the uncelebrated. Founded by Warren Lehrer (Purchase College SUNY School of Art+Design, Graphic Design Professor) and (accomplished wife) Judith Sloan in 1999, their projects bridge the divide between documentary and expressive forms in books, exhibitions, on stage, in sound & electronic media. They are committed to fostering understanding across cultures, generations, gender and class, through artistic productions and education. They bring their work to theatres, museums, schools, prisons, festivals and universities. [info courtesy www.earsay.org, visit the links provided at the end of this post]


EarSay Arts and Activism Workshops for Youth Founded by Judith Sloan from EarSay Inc on Vimeo.

A NOTE OF THANKS 

Judith and Warren, what an experience!!! I'm honored to have been in the presence of such powerful artists, activists and youth! What unfolded this Saturday evening was concentrated, creative, collaborative, eye-opening insanity (the good kind) with the perfect dose of humor and gravity. Anyone who cares about meaningful theater, education, music, graphic-literary performance art, youth and the immigrant experience aught to know about Earsay and support, support, support!

I can still hear Brian Lehrer's voice:  "If two hundred people gave $10 a month on their credit cards the program would have 50% of its budget. It costs $500 per child for the entire year when the program is at full capacity."  When put in this perspective, I think  many would agree that giving becomes less of a question. [Image from facebook via Judith Sloan]

Thank you Judith and Warren for the work that you do! Keep Going!!!

Here are some video clips of Earsay's previous events similar to what transpired last night at the Society for Ethical Culture on West 64th Street in New York City (when new videos become available, I'll post them):


Warren Lehrer performs excerpts from Bleu Mobley from EarSay Inc on Vimeo.


Performance Only of Crossing the BLVD from EarSay Inc on Vimeo.

LINKS:

• More Earsay Videos: http://bit.ly/eoOYDS
• Earsay Website: http://bit.ly/f8Y1oU  
• About Warren Lehrer & Judith Sloan: http://bit.ly/f9Jh9N 
• About Brian Lehrer: http://bit.ly/g4PzJR
• About WNYC Radio: http://bit.ly/hMe1YH
• About Viper Records (Johnathan Stuart): http://bit.ly/h2bkks 
• Donate to Earsay: http://bit.ly/eb1MVI

[ All images: from facebook via Judith Sloan]

...and Remember:

"If two hundred people gave $10 a month on their credit cards the program would have 50% of its budget. It costs $500 per child for the entire year when the program is at full capacity." ...more info: http://bit.ly/eb1MVI

your comments are welcome!

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NYFW 2011 Work For Lexington Style Magazine | Where Was Purchase SUNY's Fashion Line?

Most Purchase College SUNY students are fashion trendsetters, head-turners and innovators of style. Popular questions outside of academics, the arts and grub are, Where did you get that? Buy that? Or find that? Students will often tell you that they made whatever it is themselves, a friend made it, or that they got it from someplace that has an interesting story behind it.

On campus, individuality and creative freedom is expressed through attire, hair, art and whatever else is capable of making a statement, be it quiet or out-loud. Dropping the jaws of folks who can't believe their eyes nor the garb is something that many Purchase kids do effortlessly, not necessarily on purpose. Their style isn't usually dictated by season or fashion trends, it tends to be organically driven and constructed from inner stuff such as personality and affinity; a unique fabric indeed.

While photographing the Fall/Winter 2011 fashion lines of  popular and upcoming designers including Project Runway's Winner, Leanne Marshall, I imagined Purchase's fashion line gracing Gregory Moore's New York Fashion Week runway event held at the Helen Mills Event Space & Theater.  Alex London's line stood out as a Purchase pick. It must of been the deer antlers on her models' backs, wired mouth pieces, muddy bare feet or "I dare you say something" hair!

Here's a few snap shots and layout work that I did for Lexington Style Magazine. Thus, my New York Fashion Week cherry has been popped!

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Twin Designers, Coco & Breezy's Eyewear & Accessories "Wearable Art" FWNY 2011 Show Was CooLiO!

I had the pleasure of photographing Coco & Breezy's Eyewear & Accessories "Wearable Art" show, Invasion de l'artiste: The Fashion Art Installation C&&B FW11 at Wix Lounge in New York City for Lexington Style Magazine. Here are few photos from the event. View the full photo gallery at Lexington Style Magazine here: http://bit.ly/i3u3ud

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MFA Alumnus '06, Adam Nikelwicz in Group Exhibit, Post-Gogol: The Silent Absence of the Body opens at SLAG Gallery

Post-Gogol: The Silent Absence of the Body opens at SLAG Gallery, 531 West 25th Street, Ground Floor, #10, NYC, on February 18, 2010 and runs through March 16, 2010.

OPENING RECEPTION: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2010, 6-8pm

Artists in the show: Adam Niklewicz, Purchase College SUNY, School of Art+Design MFA Alumnus, 2006, Jason Irla, Lina Kim, SOSka Group (Mykola Ridnyi, Ganna Kriventsova, and Serhiy Popov), and Krzysztof Zarebski

Additional participation: Jan Tarasin

Guest Curator: Marek Bartelik

Dates: February 18—March 16, 2010

‘Gogol, not Google’… and we laughed. This exhibition appropriates the name of the great Russian/Ukrainian writer to speak about the haunting appearance of physical objects and images in the present world, in which laughter (sometimes through tears) continues to serve as a potent agent of timeless sublime. Laughter keeps disarming the body and makes it invisible.

The time and the place of action should be considered irrelevant. ‘[I] t is as useless to look in Dead Souls’, as another giant Russian writer observed, ‘for an authentic Russian background as it would be to try and form a conception of Denmark on the basis of that little affair in cloudy Elsinore.’ Who doubts the existence of Dead Souls …

Post-Gogol: The Silent Absence of the Body is a micro-tribute to books, or rather to the book, not as a text, a pure artifact or a found object, but rather as an inspiration (direct or indirect) for the artist. By alluding to such loaded referents as Gogol’s stories, the artist acknowledges the rigorous yet evanescent power of poesis. However, none of the artists in this show illustrates Gogol; what they do, instead, they share ‘a Gogolian gusto of weird details.’

The artists in this exhibition represent different generations (the oldest one was born in 1939, the youngest in 1985) and come from different parts of the world: the U.S Brazil, and the Ukraine. They are the hybrid and cloudy citizens of their countries: the native of Detroit, Jason Irla currently finishes an MFA program in Baltimore, MD (probably the most “Gogolian” of all American cities I know); Lina Kim of Korean and Brazilian family backgrounds, lives in Germany; Adam Niklewicz and Krzysztof Zarebski emigrated to the United States from Poland before the collapse of the Berlin Wall; the SOSka group consists of three Ukrainian artists born in their country before it ceased to belong to the Soviet Union. –Excerpts from Marek Bartelik’s introduction to the show.

This exhibition will present Irla’s digital video and prints The Past Has Made Us Apprehensive Of The Present, 2010; Kim’s photographs from the series “Rooms,” 2003-2006; Niklewicz’s multimedia installation My Dinner with Marian, 2009-2010; SOSka’s video Barter, 2007; and a selection of Zarebski’s recent sculptures and drawings. In addition, the exhibition will include a “pictogram” from 1983-90, by the late Polish artist Jan Tarasin (1926-2009).

SLAG Gallery specializes in contemporary Eastern European art and is operated by owner and director Irina Protopopescu.

SLAG Gallery is located at 531 West 25th Street, Ground Floor, suite 10. (Between 10th and 11th Avenues).

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm.

For press inquiries and reproductions contact Irina Protopopescu, 917 977 1848.

For general inquiries, contact the gallery at 212 967 9818 or by e-mail at irina@slaggallery.com

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GIMME GIMME; Opening Reception, Friday April 17th, this Friday | Purchase College School of Art+Design MFA Exhibition in NYC

SCHOOL OF ART+DESIGN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

GIMME GIMME: MFA GRADUATION EXHIBITION in NEW YORK CITY!
RECEPTION: Fri., April 17, 6-8PM
On View: April 17 – April 26, 2009

PRESS RELEASE Press Release also available at: ARTSLANT Arts & Education (e-flux) Fecal Face

Click "Read More" below for Artists info including artist's websites,videos & interviews...

Jane Corrigan
Nathan Margoni
Jeff Eaton jeffeaton.org
Karen Ruenitz karenruenitz.com
Chris Vesper seevesper.com
Leah Tacha www.leah-tacha.com Interview by Ebony Brown Tacha Video by Vanessa Hudson Tacha Video 2 by Vanessa Hudson

Smith-Stewart
53 Stanton Street
New York, NY 10002
T 212.477.2821 info@smith-stewart.com

[Postcard designed by The School of Art+Design Community Design, Class Spring 2009, taught by Robin Lynch, Special Thanks to Kaneko Marina. Vanessa Hudson is a Purchase College Student currently taking Viral Marketing, under the instruction of Linda Solomon and AnneMarie Gatti]

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Soul Voices Rehearse for April 9th Show @ the PAC! | Purchase College SUNY

[Photo by Michael Towns]

Recent show in New York City, shot at a venue that must remain unnamed, well sort of! Carnegie Hall, Shhhh!

Soul Voices Rehearse for April 9th Show at the PAC! Rehearsal footage to be posted when all is cleared by the members of soul voices who were recorded during last Monday's rehearsal.

[Podcast Announcement Expired - Past Event]

Soul Voices!
funk, r&b, soul, gospel choir
Pete Malinverni, Director

w/ Special Guests, “CHORAL PLEASURE” acapella group

PAC PepsiCo Theater Thursday, April 9, 2008 @ 8pm

Tickets: Adults, $20
Children under 16, $5
Purchase College students w/ ID, $5
Call 914.251.6200 or
go to http://www.artscenter.org/tickets/production.aspx?performanceNumber=2562

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The New York Times Article featuring Neil Fridd, Purchase College, School of Art+Design BFA Candidate '09

(Photo by Nicholas Roberts for The New York Times, ONE-MAN MENAGERIE Neil Fridd of Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt!)

Check Out the New York Time Article featuring Neil Fridd, Purchase College SUNY, School of Art+Design BFA Senior:
"Roosting at Purchase: Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt!"

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GIMME GIMME Purchase College MFA Candidates Will Exhibit Work at Smith Stewart Gallery in NYC

(Postcard designed by The School of Art+Design Community Design Class Spring 2009, Special Thanks to Kaneko Marina.)

GIMME GIMME
A Purchase College School of Art+Design MFA SHOW in NYC
Reception, Friday April 17th, 6-8PM
On View: April 17 – April 26, 2009

Art+Design MFA Candidates/Artists include:
Chris Vesper
Jeff Eaton
Jane Corrigan
Leah Tacha
Karen Ruenitz
Nathan Margoni

Smith Stewart Gallery
53 Stanton Street
New York, NY 10002
T 212.477.2821
info@smith-stewart.com

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Chris Vesper, School of Art+Design Purchase College MFA Candidate will Exhibit Work @ Smith Stewart Gallery in New York City!

"Who The "f" is Chris Vesper?" some of us may be asking ourselves if we don't know him already.

In my search to unveil this hard working, community service oriented, second year, Art+Design Grad student, I've managed to get my hands on some video footage (of his making) that will, at best, expose us to his work.

What inquiries will it rouse, if any? Post your comments and questions and I'll pose them in an upcomming interview!

Check out some of his work below):

Thaumatropic Theater Doc.
Reaching To Let Go - Detail

Chris Vesper's Upcomming Shows(2):

MFA Graduation Exhibition (GROUP SHOW)
Reception: April 9th, 5-7PM
On View: April 6 - April 10, 2009
For full MFA Artist list & reception dates please see post below.

Richard & Dolly Maass Gallery
Purchase College, SUNY
School of the Arts
School of Art+Design
735 Anderson Hill Rd.
Purchase, NY 10577
Gallery Hours M-F, 10AM-4PM
______________________________________

GIMME GIMME
A Purchase College School of Art+Design MFA SHOW in NYC
Reception, Friday April 17th, 6-8PM
On View: April 17 – April 26, 2009

Artists include:
Chris Vesper
Jeff Eaton
Jane Corrigan
Leah Tacha
Karen Ruenitz
Nathan Margoni

Smith Stewart Gallery
53 Stanton Street
New York, NY 10002
T 212.477.2821
info@smith-stewart.com

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Pete, Purchase & Brooklyn 'Raised the Roof' at Carnegie Hall! (Purchase College, SUNY)

(Caliaf St. Aubyn, a face you'll come to know, is one of the few Soloists who helped bring the audience to their feet! Tap-dancing also amongst his talents. | Photo: ©Ebony Brown)

Sold out seats, a standing ovation and an audience whose support kept Pete Malinverni, The Devoe Street Baptist Choir and Purchase Soul Voices lively and full of song. It was monumental, expecially for folks like me who never 'sang' on stage at Carnegie Hall until now.

Thomas Schwarz, Purchase College President, Bob Thompson, Dean of the conservatory of Music, Geraldine Sanderson, Publicity/External Affairs Guru along with other Purchase College Staff and students or music lovers at best seemed to enjoy the show. Some danced in their seats while others stood and clapped along. Music selections encluded piano numbers from Pete Malinverni's latest CD, "Joyful" as well as Gospel songs with a funky, jazz bent daring you to sit still.

The Purchase College Soul Voices Ensemble to which I lend my alto voice will perform again on April 9th (on campus) and April 30th (in NYC). If you missed last night's performance in NYC and want to know what all the buzz is about, save the dates noted above! Show times and information will be posted soon. In effort to honor Carnegie Hall's strict rules regarding photographs, photos shot on stage or during the show cannot be posted online; I'm hoping that backstage photos will be an exception. I shall keep you posted!

SAVE THE DATES:
April 9th
April 30th

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