Harlem Week Honors: Dionne Warwick & James Mtume

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DIONNE WARWICK
How to Honor a Superstar – Harlem Week Celebrates Music Icon Dionne Warwick.
As the summer is sizzling to a close, one blazing star is hotter than ever. After 50 plus years of nonstop entertaining, Dionne Warwick has not slowed her roll yet. She has concert and appearance dates from her upcoming show at The Fredrick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City, GA on August 26, 2017 an additional shows in the months to come including at the River Rock Casino Richmond, BC on September 9, 2017.
Harlem Week is about to wrap her in tributes thanks to her remarkable efforts of social awareness in global health and the AIDS epidemic. She was appointed as Health Ambassador during the Reagan administration and has for years been a powerful voice in supporting the improvement of our wellbeing. As a musician, from 1962 with Burt Bacharach and Hal David and her first hit “Don’t Make Me Over” she placed her early marks in music. Less than a decade later, she had released more than 18 consecutive Top 100 singles. Ms. Warwick received her first Grammy Award in 1968 for her mega-hit, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and a second Grammy in 1970 for the best-selling album, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.” Most notable is her hit AIDS awareness song with Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight, “That’s What Friends Are For” which continues raise notice of the cause, internationally.
Harlem will roll out the preverbal red-carpet tribute on August 15, 2017, first with an unveiling of her plaque on Apollo Theatre’s Walk of Fame. According to their website: “The Apollo Theater’s Walk of Fame celebrates and honors the legendary performers who have helped to build the Theater’s legacy for over 80 years. The Walk of Fame inductees have had an enormous influence on generations of musicians and fans.
Later that day (8/15/17), Ms. Warwick will be honored in recognition of her contributions in health at the Harlem State Building on 125th St. at 1:30 PM.  
 
Finally, a most distinguished highlight to the year will be on November 14, 2017 when she will also be presented with the Marian Anderson Award in Philadelphia.
The award has been created to celebrate critically acclaimed artists – individuals who have used their talents for personal artistic expression and whose body of work has contributed to our society in a singular manner. It is named in memory of the legendary singer and distinguished Philadelphian, Marian Anderson.” 
For more info and to catch Ms. Warwick live visit: https://www.dionnewarwickinternationalfanclub.com/dionne-s-upcoming-appearances/
Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick “Clive Davis: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives” Premiere Concert – 2017 Tribeca Film Festival


Harlem Week to Pay Tribute to Master Composer & legendary Producer/Activist James Mtume
Whether his contribution to music comes as composer, producer or performer; James Mtume has carved an indelible impression from all sides. Yet for all the decades he has been putting out innovative sounds, he has underscored it with his activism.
A brilliant and informed orator, Mtume has spoken internationally as well as being a major political commentator voice and activist via the airwaves, such as his  popular New York talk show, Open Line, formerly on WBLS FM.
His is a rich and storied past as an activist during the turbulent 60’s era movements, his years performing with Miles Davis, on into his his chart-topping R&B years as a band – Mtume. In that span he has also composed hits with guitarist/partner Reggie Lucas such as “The Closer I Get to You,” (Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway) leaving an imprint in music that is distinct.

With Kiss This World GoodbyeKiss This World Goodbye (1978), In Search of the Rainbow Seekers (1980), Juicy Fruit (1983), You, Me and He (1984), and Theater of the Mind (1986), the group earned 11 charting singles: “Give It on Up (If You Want To)” (number 26 R&B), “Juicy Fruit” (number one R&B), “You, Me and He” (number two R&B), and “Breathless” (number nine R&B).
Mtume created a unique sound with his “sophisti-funk,” and turned an era on end with hits for the likes of Phyllis Hyman, Stephanie Mills (He and Lucas both won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for writing and producing fellow R&B artist Stephanie Mills’ top-ten hit “Never Knew Love Like This Before”, for which she also won a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance), the Spinners, and Lou Rawls.
His much-sampled beats and rhythms, as in the Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy” and dozens of other songs have made Mtume’s music a staple of R&B and Hip Hop; including his having produced yet another generation including neo-R&B acts like Mary J. Blige.

In honor of his many activist/music contributions for all aspects of enlightening and entertaining the masses, Harlem Week will be paying tribute to the living legend. The event will take place on August 23, 2017 at Harlem Hospital at 6:00 PM.

Enjoy a riveting example of Mtume’s continued presence as world-spokesman and musical leader.
About Harlem Week:
HARLEM WEEK promotes and celebrates the past, present, and future of Harlem! HARLEM WEEK is a series of Harlem events throughout the summer, that bring together all age groups and cultures to celebrate the unique and diverse essence of Harlem. This Harlem Festival & Celebration offers over 100 events throughout the months of July and August, attracting over 3 million attendees from all around the world to Harlem New York. Featuring: Outdoor and indoor music concerts, The Upper Manhattan Auto Show, Film festivals, Health Fair & 5K, Sporting events, Adult and children’s fashion shows, Youth programs and activities, Career fairs, HBCU Fair & Expo.

 

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