Knights of the West Social Club Presents “Spring Fling Extravaganza Awards Show” With Patrice Rushen, Chico DeBarge and more
The City of Angels will soar on a heavenly, musical flight when the Knights of the West Social Club presents the “The Spring Fling Extravaganza Awards Show,” a benefit concert event featuring the legendary Patrice Rushen, onSaturday, April 16 at the Prince Hall Memorial Auditorium.  Melodic bliss is sure to bless the rafters as multi-Grammy nominated pianist Patrice Rushen is joined by soulful crooner Chico DeBarge, master violinist Karen Briggs, Sir Stringfellow & The Mo Betta Experience Band and comic king Shang Forbes for a grand evening of celebration and entertainment.
Karen Briggs
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Comedian Shang
The Knights of the West Social Club, an extension of Western Knights #56 Free and Accepted Masons, continue their legacy of service with this wonderful presentation, as a portion of the proceeds from the evening will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Breast Cancer Awareness, The John and Evelyn Friar Scholarship Fund and Robert W. Brown Scholarship Foundation. Local community leaders that have helped to shape and influence the lives of Los Angeles residents will also be recognized and honored. The performances begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Prince Hall Memorial Auditorium, located at 9027 S. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles.
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A classically trained pianist, Rushen has spent a lifetime honing the skills that make her one of the music industry’s most versatile and sought after artists. Admired by many for her groundbreaking achievements, Rushen has amassed an impressive list of “firsts,” including the first woman to serve as musical director for the 46th, 47th and 48th Annual Grammy Awards; the first woman in 43 years to serve as head composer/musical director for television’s highest honor, the Emmy Awards; and the first woman musical director of the NAACP Image Awards, an honor she held for 12 consecutive years.
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“We are extremely proud to have Patrice Rushen highlight this special occasion, alongside phenomenal artists, as we pay tribute to our community honorees,” cites Aaron Harris, co-chair, special projects committee for the Knights of the West Social Club. “Our lodge has a tradition of commitment to our community and this concert continues our legacy. We are hoping the community comes out to support our honorees while enjoying a relaxing evening of great music.“
Dick Gregory, Kym Whitley, Luenell, Joe Torry, Shang to Bring the Funny at Hope Flood’s 4th Annual Comics Rock! Convention April 23-26 in Los Angeles
Hollywood, CA – What do you get when you mix a room full of comedic talent? Comedians that rock, that’s what! Funny lady Hope Flood is taking over the stage once again with her 4th Annual Comics Rock! Convention, April 23 through 26, 2015, in the comedy capital, Los Angeles! The Comics Rock! Convention (CRC) will gather a diverse group of professional talent, from up and comers to veteran stand ups, with the intent of discoursing all things related to the industry of funny and beyond. Workshops and seminars will be held at comedian/radio personality J. Anthony Brown’s JSpot Comedy Club, located 5581 W Manchester Boulevard in Westchester, CA. Master comic, social/civil rights activist and humanitarian Dick Gregory will be the keynote speaker at the convention on Saturday, April 25, during a luncheon held at The Mavericks Flat Bar & Grill on 4225 Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles. A legendary octogenarian, Gregory was recently feted with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Industry experts such as Kym Whitley (OWN TV’s “Raising Whitley”), Luenell (“Katt Williams: American Hustle”), Mother Love (LA Talk Radio’s “The Mother Love Show”), Rodney Perry (BET’s “The Mo’Nique Show”), Shang Forbes (BET’s “Comic View”), Joe Torry (“Def Comedy Jam”) and The Mooney Twins (sons of comedy legend Paul Mooney) are only a sampling of the talent slated to conduct workshops and seminars over the course of the four days. Workshops including “Social Media & More,” “The Art of Stand-Up Comedy,” and “Intro to Voiceovers” will assist comedians with conquering every aspect of the business. On Saturday, April 25, KJLH radio host Tammi Mac will also lend her comedic flair with her “On the Radio” workshop.
“Comics On the Catwalk 4a Cause Fashion & Comedy Show,” featuring a special musical guest and after party, promises to be an added event highlight. A co-production with Los Angeles’ premier event host, Kevin Rouse of Rouse House Entertainment, comedienne Cocoa Brown (Tyler Perry’s “For Better or Worse”) and comic and New York’s KISS-FM morning show host, Talent Harris, will preside as comedians temporarily forfeit stand-up for fashion on the runway. The affair will benefit The American Diabetes Association and A Nickel of Hope, Inc., a non-profit founded by Hope Flood that helps mentor at-risk girls in the inner cities ( www.anickelofhope.org ). “Comics On the Catwalk 4a Cause Fashion & Comedy Show,” will take place Sunday, April 26 at 3:00 p.m. at OHM Nightclub, 6801 Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood. Tickets for this fundraising event are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comics-on-the-catwalk-for-a-cause-2015-tickets-16368124501 . Comics Rock! founder, comedienne Hope Flood
As the founder of Females in Comedy Association (FICA), Flood originally launched her comedy convention a few years ago as the “Females in Comedy Convention,” but has since expanded her vision to embrace both genders. With FICA however, she continues to offer female comedians tools for networking, mentoring, and collaborating as well as fueling awareness for comediennes in the entertainment industry. Comics Rock! will honor females in comedy with a special day of gifting and pampering.
“Comedy on stage and in life is a crucial component for happiness,” cites Flood. “This year’s convention is particularly special as we acknowledge all things funny but also all things crucial to survival in this ever changing business. It is especially heart warming for me to pay tribute to pioneer and icon, Dick Gregory. As a guide and mentor, it is his work and dedication that drives me to continue to present this convention year after year.”
Hope Flood has always made waves with her humor, reaching beyond the stage to influence and motivate. Early on in her career she was not only producing weekly showcases that served to propel the career of many comedians, but also publishing her own magazine, “Comedy the Magazine,” the first nationally distributed comedy magazine. She has served as an on-air radio personality on Dallas’ KRNB 105.7 radio with BJ & The Morning Show and has appeared on the Russell Simmon’s HBO All-Star Def Comedy Jam, Comedy Central’s “Comic Groove” hosted by Tracy Morgan, and “Comics Unleashed Hot Chocolate with Byron Allen,” to name a few. Hope has been a semi-finalist in the Old English 800 Women’s Comedy Crunch and a two-time semi-finalist in the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition.
For registration and more information regarding sponsorship, vendors or attendance, go to www.comicsrockconvention.com. The Comics Rock! Convention is going to seriously shake up the funny.
Comedian Shang Rocks The Cover Of Humor Mill Magazine
Hollywood, CA – Funnyman Shang, widely recognized for his ‘in your face’ comedy shenanigans, continues to shake it up as he rocks the cover of the latest of issue of Humor Mill Magazine. The particulars of his new deal with Codeblack Entertainment, his hectic tour schedule, comedic influences and the ups and downs of his busy career all make for an entertaining interview, presented inside the online magazine’s pages in print and video format with an accompanying photo spread.
Shang has cemented his position as one of the brightest, most controversial and most stimulating funnymen in the business. His explosive political and social stances have earned him appearances on screens, big and small, and stages around the world, including Martin Lawrence’s 1st Amendment Stand Up on STARZ, HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival Special “Best of the Fest,” “Politically Incorrect,” and BBC’s “Funny Business. ” As the political and comedic voice of “Vote First” an initiative launched by the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s (NCBCP) Unity ’08 Campaign, Shang proved himself the voice of a generation as he spearheaded a grassroots movement credited with propelling the hip hop demographics to the polls to vote early in the last historical presidential election.
“I am honored to be featured on the cover of Humor Mill Magazine,” cites Shang. “The magazine is a mainstay in the entertainment and comedy arena, and my selection as a cover story reaffirms that I must be doing something right!”
Founded and published by Frank Holder, Humor Mill Magazine features the latest in urban comedy and entertainment news. An online vehicle, the magazine boasts an innovative format incorporating print, audio and video features alongside impressive photo layouts.
Comedian Shang Signs Deal With CodeBlack Entertainment
Los Angeles – Comedian/satirist Shang has been venting across stages in America and beyond for almost two decades. Politically irreverent at times, cutting edge, insightful and inciting, his humor is known to cut like a sharp knife, revealing budding truths hidden just below the surface of what is seemingly real.
His brand is about to take on another dimension as Incite Talent Management (ITM) has announced a new deal with Codeblack Entertainment. The signing includes the distribution and digital rights to past content owned by Shang in the form of CDs and DVDs as well as the inclusion of future content.
As Codeblack Entertainment is the nation’s leading producer and distributor of urban themed content, the agreement represents yet another milestone in the evolution of Shang’s comedic offerings. Shang will be recording and producing ringtones as part of the packaging as well as short video vignettes and sketches for airing on CodeblackTV. In addition, classics, such as Shang’s debut CD, “Shangry!!” on Uproar Records will now be re-released and marketed.
A native of New York now residing in Los Angeles, Shang has cemented his position as one of the brightest and most stimulating funnymen in the business. His explosive political and social stances have earned him appearances on screens and stages that include Martin Lawrence’s 1st Amendment Stand Up on STARZ, HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival Special “Best of the Fest,” “Politically Incorrect,” BBC’s “Funny Business, ” Mun2’s “Loco Comedy Jam,” NBC’S “Comedy Showcase,” and MTV’s “Choose or Lose” just to name a few.
He served as co-host on Russell Simmon’s “One World Music Beat” and as co-producer and host of BET’s “Access Granted” in addition to appearing regularly on BET’s “Comic View.” As the political and comedic voice of “Vote First” an initiative launched by the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s (NCBCP) Unity ’08 Campaign, Shang helped to spearhead a grassroots movement credited with propelling the hip hop generation to the polls to vote early in the last historical presidential election.
As Shang is known to irreverently point out, “These may be jokes but I ain’t jokin’!” His searing observation about society, race, politics and sex reflect a path paved by comedic legends Lenny Bruce, Dick Gregory, Richard Pryor and George Carlin. With regard to Codeblack Entertainment, he reflects, “”It’s great to be finally working with Codeblack, the #1 urban marketing company in the world. I appreciate their vision in bringing me on board. My humor is not for the weak- minded or the weak-hearted. It has always been my intention to incite change and this deal offers me yet more ammunition to be able to do so!”
Adds Michael J. Duarte, from ITM, “It is with great joy and excitement that I announce our partnership with Codeblack. They are the leaders with what they do. The combination of Codeblack and Shang makes for a powerhouse presentation. Comedy may never be the same!”
For a dose of what Shang is brewing, go to http://www.IAmShang.com and stimulate your brain cells and funnybone now! To catch him live, check out his tour dates below:
JULY 2009
JULY 09 JULY- 1ST-5TH-THE IMPROV- DENVER CO
JULY 8TH-12TH-THE COMIC STRIP COMEDY CLUB -EL PASO TX
JULY 15TH-30TH-KOREA MIL TOUR- KOREA
JULY 31ST- THE CELEBRITY THEATRE-PHOENIX AZ
AUG 2009
AUG 1ST THE FOX THEATRE-BAKERSFIELD CA
AUG 6TH-ROOKIES-OCEANSIDE CA
AUG 7TH-THE LAUGH FACTORY-HOLLYWOOD CA
AUG 8TH-CARNEGIE MUSIC HALL-PITTSBURGH PA
AUG 12TH-16TH-THE UPTOWN COMEDY CLUB -ATLANTA GA
AUG 20TH- THE BLACK OAK CASINO-SONORA CA
AUG 21ST -DOWNTOWN COMEDY CLUB- LOS ANGELES CA
AUG 22ND-FORT SAM HOUSTON NCO CLUB- SAN ANTONIO TX
AUG 28TH-29TH-THE LAUGH HOUSE- PHILA PA
SEPT 2009
SEPT 3RD-6TH-MORTY’S COMEDY JOINT -INDIANAPOLIS IN
SEPT 24TH-UNC GREENSBORO-GREENSBORO N CAROLINA
SEPT 30TH- CLUB KARMA-VICTORVILLE CA
OCT 2009
OCT 4TH- THE COMEDY PALACE-SAN DIEGO CA
OCT 16TH-THE STERLING HOTEL-DALLAS TX
OCT 21ST-24TH-PACHENGA COMEDY CLUB- TEMECULA CA
