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Artist Showcased presented in collaboration with TOP Enterprises Inc. and Entertainment Coordinator Preston Brown.
TOP is a community development corporation
working on a project soon to be "on top of the
hill" at Jefferson & Best.
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The project will have an economic impact on this area and the city of Buffalo with an emphasis on the arts; this is just a sample of what you can experience "on top of the hill."
Learn more: topenterprisesinc.com
Location:
Foundry Hotel & Banquet
1738 Elmwood Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14207
$40Advanced
Please note: all sales are final!
+2.50 Processing Fee
Vendor Coordinator & Sponsor
LaBrown Enterprises Inc.
LaDana Brown
716.866.2844
Vendors
Vendor Coming Soon
Vendor Coming Soon
Paula McDonald
T O P is a community development corporation whose mission is to Build People – Build Community. Currently working on a development project to be located on Jefferson Ave near Best (click here to learn more). This project would not only improve the quality of life for the communities it connects, will also provide a must-visit location in the city of Buffalo.
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T O P is always looking for volunteers, interested in investing in us (click here), or subscribe to our mailing list (click here).
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ARTIST SHOWCASE will be a continuous event on location.
President
of Organization
Entertainment
Coordinator
Preston Brown
Preston Brown is an accomplished Musician, Song Writer, and Author of the groundbreaking book “Marriage for What? A soul searching journey from I DON’T to I DO.” While primarily known for his expertise in the Funk, Hip-Hop, and Gospel music genres, Preston’s limitless musical versatility, coupled with his uncompromising professionalism and integrity, has afforded him opportunities to accompany and record with numerous artists both locally and nationally.
While most notably recognized as a drummer, Preston is also an accomplished songwriter, arranger, and choir director. He has maintained a busy club, concert, and recording schedule for more than 20 years. Additionally, Preston has served as Minister of Music and Choir Director at New Mt. Ararat Temple of Prayer under the ministry of his father, Pastor Bishop Dwight E. Brown
Preston is a loving Husband to LaDana Brown and proud father of their three children.
Featured
Guests
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Dale Toliver
Renowned Educator
Musical Director &
Jazz Guitarist
Artist Showcase
Our special guest, Dale Toliver, a Buffalo native, began his musical career at nine years old, playing drums for church services and the choir. Here, he developed a musical foundation and skill set to carry him through his musical endeavors.
Young Toliver progressed from playing the drums to electric bass and eventually settled on the guitar. Since age 17, he has played the guitar, playing every kind of music from country to rock to funk and jazz.
Through his musical journey, Dale had various advisors who influenced his playing style, such as Zaindre Yarbrough, O'dell Ross, and Son Smith, the brother of the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith. While in Los Angeles, California, Toliver studied at the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT), the Dick Grove Music School, and the Los Angeles Community College (LACC). He trained privately with mentors Joe Pass while at GIT, with the author of "Sight Melodies 1", Brent Block, at Dick Grove Music School, and Jazz Guitar Chairman of the World, Steve Brown, at Ithaca College.
Toliver, an aspiring entrepreneur in 1997, launched his music television show titled "Jazz at Rico's" with Fox Network.
In 2000 & and 2001. Dale Toliver's Trio was nominated for small jazz bands in Buffalo's Music Awards. He was sharing his musical passion and unique expression. Toliver assumed the role of musical director for the Billie Holiday Story given by Ujima Theatre Company and performed the "Journey of the Guitar" for the Langston Hughes Center in Buffalo, New York. Later, he performed the "Journey of the Guitar" for Buffalo's Public Broadcast Station WNED TV Channel 17. In 2018, he served for Villa Maria College's "Guitar Summit" in Cheektowaga, New York.
Dale's growth musically and professionally is attained through practice regularly. The combination of these practices has led Toliver to teach private guitar lessons and masterclasses and become the author of his 4 part book "guitar lessons and masterclasses and become an author of his 4 part book "Lesson Guide 1 for Guitar: Building Chops, Dexterity, and Execution".
Toliver's distinctive sound has opened many doors for him to play with local bands across Western New York and many highly esteemed musicians.
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Nicole Campfield
Vocialist
Nicole A.Campfield is a native of Buffalo, NY, born the eldest of 3 to John and Linda Campfield. Nicole at an early age was destined to be an accomplished singer and musician due to her mother Linda Campfield taking notice of the musical gifting and talents in Nicole at an early age. Nicole was placed under the tutelage of some of Buffalo's most prestigious Music Teachers and Musicians. She studied music-piano, organ and music theory under late Hulit Curry, Carol Varner, and Alfred Jarrett. The late Varner expressed she had taken Nicole as far as she could musically and arranged Nicole's acceptance to the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. There she was able to further her gifts, talents in Music Vocally, Instrumentally, and Theatrically.
At an early age Nicole travelled the WNY and abroad singing withe her mother and siblings, they had become well renowned as The Campfield Singers. Nicole further matured this ability to lead people into heavenly places musically and vocally becoming one of Buffalo, NY renowned Praise and Worship Leaders, and choir directors. Nicole has held the office of Min of Music Under the Bishop Micaiah J. Young, Director of Music and Fine Arts under the late Bishop Sedwick Daniels. She has orchestrated singers and musicians for some of Gospels most renowned and prestigious Vocalist such as Kim Burrell, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Krystal Rucker to name a few.
Nicole has a BS in Management, currently works for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and is the founder of NCAMPED Inc., where she meets and minsters to the needs of hurting and despaired women and families..
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Beverly Riley Graves was raised in Roswell, New Mexico, and began writing poetry at a very early age. She became a first-time author in October 2016 with her book My Heart Is Full! She recently published her second book, Ever So Grateful!, a more significant poetry collection. She is currently working on her third book.
Beverly is recently retired and lives in Tonawanda, New York, with her husband, Benjamin, where they delight in the joys of spending time with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and grand-dogs.
Beverly Graves
Poet + Writer
Marcus Lolo
Marcus a Haitian – American pianist, keyboardist and vocalist fairly new to the Western NY music scene; American born spending his early years in Haiti, then in NYC claims both
Port-au-Prince Haiti and NYC home. His music reflects the cultural stamps of both his ancestral home and the cultural diversity to which the big apple has exposed him. His musical diversity includes Jazz infused with adaptations of Haitian folk songs to the urban sounds of modern jazz.
Lolo elected to perform at UB’s State of the University 2021:Presidential Address, performed an original composition entitled “Epopee Impromptue” which he tailored to the occasion. He stated, “ I was fortunate to represent UB’s Music Department at the year’s 175th Anniversary Celebration and Presidential Address.”
Accomplished Pianist/Vocalist
Culinary Arts
TASTY EDIBLE SAMPLES
Our featured culinary artists have contributed their love of cooking from their childhood. When not on other assignments, they provide cooking services at the Temple Cafe at New Mt Ararat Temple of Prayer.
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-Vivian Reed, from generations of cooking with mom and others in the kitchen, first learned the art of cooking. It wasn't until God anointed her that she developed the love and mastery of baking. One year, she recalls that her funds were low for Christmas, so she baked and wrapped cookies for all the children. Cookies became her specialty. Orders grew and grew. The following year she asked what they wanted, and their response you can make us some cookies. She knew she was on to something when they preferred cookies over toys or gifts. In addition to her love for cooking, she creates various other gifted items, from door wreaths and centerpieces.
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- Wilma Overton remembered her family had jobs as sharecroppers; everyone had responsibilities. She was one of the middle children; at nine, her father chose her to cook lunch for the family daily. Cooking started as her daily chore. As time went on, it became her passion. She learned how to cook many specialty dishes, some from her mom, many she mastered on her own with God's anointing. Currently, she is working on creating a recipe book for her children and grandkids to pass on through generations.
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Both women take pride in their cooking and put love into every bite. Their gratification is seeing the satisfaction it brings to others.
BLESSED HANDS, A RECIPE OF LOVE - WE HOPE YOU ENJOY
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Please note: all sales are final!
Visual Arts
John Baker
Participate in a Silent Art Auction
Curated By
John Baker
James Cooper III
WNY Urban Arts Collective
John Baker has enjoyed an illustrious career as a nationally recognized exhibiting artist, curator, activist, art and museum educator. He has participated in many solo and group exhibitions.
Baker earned his Bachelor’s in Art Education and Master’s in Museum Studies, from SUNY at Buffalo. Baker’s professional experiences include positions as an art and photography teacher for Buffalo Public Schools. Additional experiences include positions as a graphic designer and fashion wear designer/distributor.
Baker in 2017 was elected president of WNY-Urban Arts Collective Inc. a 501 (C) 3 artist organization. This organization advocates especially for underserved visual artist and their artwork. Baker's community service includes director/coordinator of various community groups, organizations, activities, events, and educational programs.
Artist John Baker
Artist James Cooper III
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James Cooper III
Chicago-born James J. Cooper III is a Buffalo-based visual artist who has worked over the last 25 years in portrait painting, freelance illustrating, and mural painting. Cooper has been a teacher with the Buffalo Board of Education since 1994, an art instructor with Buffalo Art Studio and Albright Knox Art gallery between 1996-2009.
His visual art career includes book illustrations and public art projects, including indoor and large outdoor murals. In July 2016, Cooper joined Main Street Gallery as a resident studio artist and assistant art director/curator. His art mediums vary from airbrush, oil, acrylic, digital computer-generated imagery, and photography. James has created Art on various surfaces, including plexiglass, cardboard, wood, automobiles, fiberglass, canvas, brick, fabric, concrete, and poly-laminate aluminum boards.
James greatly enjoys discoveries made during his creative process. At the same time, of creating his style of Art, which focuses on line, movement, color, and the human figure. His growth includes being a visual artist, but not restrictive.
In 2018 he joined in with John Baker to establish WNY Urban Arts Collective; to increase awareness of unknown Urban artists, their accomplishments, and talents in various mediums of Art.. this process continues...