STAGE
Two
Second in a series of 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 the area and city of Buffalo with emphasis on the arts; this is just a sample of what you can expect to experience "on top of the hill."
Learn more: topenterprisesinc.com
Location:
Foundry Hotel & Banquet
1738 Elmwood Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14207
$30Advanced
+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
Guest
Artist Showcase
Marcus Lolo & friends
Karen Saxon
Renowned Educator
Musical Director
Karen Saxon is a native Buffalonian and graduate of the Buffalo Public Schools. A music educator in the BPS since 1999, she currently teaches vocal music at City Honors at Fosdick Masten Park School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Buffalo State College, New York State permanent certification in Music (grades k-12), and a Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton.
Outside of the classroom, Karen’s service to the community includes being appointed by the late Lorna C. Hill to serve as the Ujima Company’s first Music Director. Her belief in the Rotary’s motto of “service over self” led her to establish the first primarily African-American Rotary Club, “Buffalo Eastside Rotary - A Satellite of Buffalo Sunrise Rotary” which chartered in March 2022.
A member of the Friendship Baptist Church, she serves as the Minister of Music of the historic First Shiloh Baptist Church. Karen is also an owner and administrator of the Thomas T. Edwards Funeral Home, Inc.
Married to the love of her life, Darrell M. Saxon II. The Saxons have three amazing children: Nathalie Williams “The Chef”, Christnell Williams “The Auditor”, and Karrengton Williams “The Executive”.
Follow Marcus's Musical Journey
Accomplished Pianist/Vocalist
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.”
Classroom Music Instructor:
City Honors at Fosdick-Masten
Director of Music: Empire Baptist Missionary Convention
BPS District Lead Representative: MET "HD Live in Schools" Program
Brandon Williamson
Brandon Williamson is the founder of Pure Ink Poetry and a member of the Ujima Theatre Company. He has performed in Ujima productions such as Ruined, The Scavengers Daughter, and The Green Pastures. Brandon is also an internationally acclaimed and awarded spoken word artist who has graced stages across the US, Canada, Iceland, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Brandon was brought up in theater under the mentorship of Lorna C. Hill and the Ujima Theatre company and has a bachelors degree in Theatre Arts from SUNY Fredonia, and a masters degree in Creativity from the International Center for Studies in Creativity.
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Jacqueline earned her Bachelor's degree in Dance and Theater at Buffalo State College. She became an actor; playing various roles in several plays at Alleyway Theatre including BUFFALO QUICKIES 2014, 2015, 2018. In 2019, she played Mother in Passing Strange and Lillian in Stew at the Ujima Company. Currently, Jacqueline is completing a Master of Fine Arts in Dance at the University at Buffalo and had recently accepted a position at The African American Cultural Center as assistant director of Dance.
Jacquie Cherry
Experience Performing Art's w/ Jacquie
Culinary Arts
Dymone Barnwell
TASTY EDIBLE SAMPLE
Dymone Barnwell is a 26 year old Licensed Mental Health counselor who also has a passion from cooking. Growing up she would stay in the kitchen just to watch her parents and family cook. She has expanded her family taught cooking knowledge by doing her own research along with watching cooking shows. Dymone utilizes cooking as a tool to bring joy to others. She believes that food helps bring people together, and if providing a meal can bring a little sunshine to a persons day, then she gratefully will be that light.
Visual Arts
Participate in a Silent Art Auction
Curated By
John Baker
James Cooper III
WNY Urban Arts Collective
John Baker
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
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...
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