Art & Bien-Être Presents:

Support our celebration of the great African-American women in Jazz and the Afro-Brazilian connection!

Project visual Art & Bien-Être Presents:
Successful
2
Contributions
05/27/2018
End date
€500
Out of €500
100 %

Art & Bien-Être Presents:

<p>Hello,</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>My name is<strong> Karen James</strong>. I am an&nbsp;African-American dancer,&nbsp;singer and&nbsp;pianist from&nbsp;the United States who comes from a musical family. &nbsp;&nbsp;I am the founder of a small artist&#39;s collective called &ldquo;<em>Art &amp; Bien-&Ecirc;tre-Small is Beautiful&rdquo;</em> located in Li&egrave;ge, Belgium.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/515429/central_piano__3_-1526114369.jpg" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>LINKS to brochure, Concert &amp;&nbsp; Events:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reverbnation.com/artbienetre">Art &amp; Bien-&Ecirc;tre - Small is Beautiful</a>&nbsp; (on-line, animated brochure)</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reverbnation.com/karenjamesmusic">Karen James - Music, Videos, Biography, etc.</a>&nbsp;(CONCERT/EVENT&nbsp;INFO, Music videos)</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reverbnation.com/karenjamesdancer">Karen James - Dance</a>&nbsp;(Dance videos)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Although I hold a degree in music, my true apprenticeship was singing in the Black Church in America. My uncle Talley Beatty was a choreographer for the original dancers&nbsp;who accompanied Duke Ellington during his shows (in the 40s and 50s) and my parents grew up on the South Side of Chicago with Joe Williams, whose name is synonymous with the Blues. I love music and I have it in my blood.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you&rsquo;ve never heard of Joe Williams, Talley Beatty or Duke Ellington or you don&#39;t know where the South Side of Chicago is, then you are the perfect person to ask to fund my project! &nbsp;</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/515461/Joe_Williams-1526116998.jpg" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/515462/Boston-Ballet_Phoebe-Snow-1526117270.jpg" /></p><p><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/515467/Duke_Ellington-1526117560.jpg" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For more than 20 years I&rsquo;ve been singing Soul, Blues and Jazz from the purest of the African-American tradition, yet <strong>I find that African-American women and our composers, in general, who have a unique, authentic voice are still greatly underrepresented at festivals and other musical events.</strong>&nbsp; It&rsquo;s still very hard for talented, cultural artists across the African diaspora&nbsp;to be heard or earn their living as singers, composers and musicians.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>As far as women in Jazz are concerned, most people don&rsquo;t have any idea of our past and present contributions.</strong>&nbsp; In addition, most people have no idea about our strong and wonderful connection to other Africans in the Diaspora, especially how we are linked to our cousins, the Afro-Brazilians.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/515458/Melba_Liston-1526116687.jpg" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>We at <em>&ldquo;Art &amp; Bien-&Ecirc;tre &ndash; Small is Beautiful&rdquo;</em> would like to create a link and toss a life-line to authentic artists from across the African diaspora&nbsp;who have a unique voice which is steeped in an ancient&nbsp;African tradition.</strong>&nbsp; It&rsquo;s for this reason that we are asking you to fund our project.&nbsp; We want to not only give a voice to talented, lesser-known artists, but also to share with the world the richness of African culture found throughout the diaspora.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/515455/afro_brazilian_drummer-1526116539.jpg" /></p><p><strong>But we need your help.&nbsp; We are a small collective with no corporate or other funding.&nbsp;</strong> That means that we can do what&rsquo;s in our hearts and follow our dreams.&nbsp; But it also means that <em><strong>we count on people like you to help us keep our dreams alive as well as those of other artists.</strong></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/515147/DVD_Menu_Image-1526048526.jpg" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>We&rsquo;d like for more people in the world to experience the feeling that one gets when they hear an authentic artist with a unique voice during a LIVE performance. </strong>And we&rsquo;d like for people of all economic levels to be able to share this experience, <strong>not just festival goers who can afford to pay &euro;50+ for tickets.&nbsp;</strong><strong> Although festivals can provide a wonderful means for artists to be heard, it&rsquo;s not enough and we&rsquo;re asking you to help us to do more.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>I recently played at the Jazz Festival in Li&egrave;ge, Belgium and it was a wonderful experience</strong>.&nbsp; So, I know that sometimes festivals can be a great way for artists to have good working conditions and get paid.&nbsp;But nothing replaces an intimate setting.&nbsp; And there are many talented artists who have long periods of time with no work between festivals.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>I personally know some extremely talented people who have to travel by car from Italy to Holland to do one gig because they are not &ldquo;known&rdquo;</strong>. &nbsp;Even artists who are famous like Roy Ayers have sometimes been known to<strong> travel&nbsp;from the United States&nbsp;to Georgia (former USSR)&nbsp;to play for one night.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/515460/Roy_Ayers_1-1526116922.jpg" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>So, that&rsquo;s why we are asking for your support!</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>We&rsquo;re planning two events for <em>the 24th of May 2018</em> at a venue in Li&egrave;ge, Belgium.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong> &nbsp;A workshop about the great African-American women of Jazz and the Afro-Brazilian connection</strong>. In this workshop we will talk about roots and history of Jazz from an Afro-American perspective, as well as to give musical demonstrations, etc.&nbsp; We will also delve into the Afro-Brazilian connection to the music through dance, language, music and chant.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>A concert celebrating and honoring African-American women in Jazz and Afro-Brazilian Music.</strong></p><p><strong>With your help we can offer the public a wonderful evening of music with the kind of feeling that brings people together across all lines and borders. Your support will allow us to rent a beautiful space, buy equipment, get paid for performing and organizing the event, as well as to offer the public a great evening of music without having to charge music festival prices for tickets.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Here is the link where you can watch videos, read my biography, etc</strong>. My style is authentic and varied. <strong>I sing ballads, Jazz, &quot;old school R &amp; B&quot; (which I believe is &quot;Soul Music&quot;), as well as Blues. This music inspires the public to dance and sing. When I play in a cafe the music is relaxing.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>LINK </strong>CONCERT/EVENT&nbsp;INFO, Music videos<strong>:&nbsp;</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reverbnation.com/karenjamesmusic">Karen James - Music, Videos, Biography, etc.</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I play solo or with a band. I have toured the USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Scandinavia, etc.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Please support and give generously!!!!&nbsp;</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Allocation of funds

<p><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/515460/Roy_Ayers_1-1526116922.jpg" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Our aim is also&nbsp;to&nbsp; quickly reach the primary goal of &euro;500 so that we can extend the campaign for a few days in order to raise enough money to cover the rest of the costs:</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Here&#39;s how your money will be spent!</strong></p><p>When the goal of the&nbsp; first &euro;500 is met it will <strong>partially</strong>&nbsp;cover:</p><p>The rental of the venue &euro;121</p><p>The expenses involved in the musicians travelling to Belgium and back home. &euro;400</p><p>The 8% fee charged by KissKissBankBank/Banks&nbsp;</p><p>Taxes such as VAT, etc.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Once the initial goal of &euro;500 is met we will still need&nbsp;money for what wasn&#39;t covered by the first &euro;500 plus:</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sound&nbsp;Equipment purchases and rentals &euro;200</p><p>+ A&nbsp; fund&nbsp;to help artists who have urgent needs on short notice.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>I personally know some extremely talented people who have to travel by car from Italy to Holland to do one gig because they are not &ldquo;known&rdquo;.</strong> &nbsp;Even artists who are famous like Roy Ayers have sometimes been known to<strong> travel&nbsp;from the United States&nbsp;to Georgia (former USSR)&nbsp;to play for one night.</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>We are a small collective with no corporate or other funding.&nbsp; </strong>That means that we can do what&rsquo;s in our hearts and follow our dreams.&nbsp; But it also means that <strong>we count on people like you to help us keep our dreams alive as well as those of other artists.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>With your help we can offer the public a wonderful evening of music with the kind of feeling that brings people together across all lines and borders</strong>. Your support will allow us to rent a beautiful space, buy equipment, get paid for performing and organizing the event, as well as to offer the public a great evening of music without having to charge music festival prices for tickets.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>We&rsquo;re planning two events for the 24th of May 2018 at a venue in Li&egrave;ge, Belgium.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;A workshop about the great African-American women of Jazz and the Afro-Brazilian connection.</strong> In this workshop we will talk about roots and history of Jazz from an Afro-American perspective, as well as to give musical demonstrations, etc.&nbsp; We will also delve into the Afro-Brazilian connection to the music through dance, language, music and chant.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>A concert celebrating and honoring African-American women in Jazz and Afro-Brazilian Music.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>That&rsquo;s why we are asking for your support!</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Notice</strong>: Funds&nbsp;collected by this kisskiss bankbank crowdfuning campaign will be put on an account set aside for &quot;Art and Bien-&Ecirc;tre&quot;&nbsp; and only used for this project.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>We thank you!</strong></p><p><strong>Links:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reverbnation.com/artbienetre">Art &amp; Bien-&Ecirc;tre - Small is Beautiful</a>&nbsp;(on-line brochure)</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.reverbnation.com/karenjamesmusic">Karen James - Music, Videos, Biography, etc</a>&nbsp;(Concerts and events, Music &amp; Videos)</p><p><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/515436/0019-1526115893.jpg" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Rewards

Workshop Ticket

€5

With your contribution of €5 you'll receive entrance to the workshop.

Concert Ticket

€10

With you contribution of €10 you'll receive entrance to the concert

Estimated delivery: May 2018

Concert and Workshop Ticket

€15

With you contribution of €15 you'll receive entrance to the concert and the workshop.

Solidarity Ticket

€20

If you cannot come please buy a ticket for someone who can't afford one or just to support us. Your donation will help everyone to have access to culture and well-being.

Concert, CD & Workshop

€25

For your contribution of €25 you'll receive an autographed CD + entrance to the concert and the workshop

Gold Membership - Keeper of the Culture

€50

For your donation of €50 you'll receive a gold membership which puts you on our exclusive list for sneak previews, special events, and you'll receive a free CD with bonus tracks just for our members.

Platinum Member - Keeper of the Culture & Dream Maker

€100

With your donation of €100 you'll receive a platinum membership which entitles you to free entrance to an event of your choice at Art & Bien-Être, an autographed CD with bonus tracks, sneak previews and other exclusive offers.

Diamond Member - Keeper of the Culture & Dream Maker

€250

  • 2 contributions
For your donation of €250 or more you'll receive a diamond membership at Art & Bien-Être - Small is beautiful which entitles you to 2 free workshops or 2 free concerts plus an autographed CD with bonus tracks and other exclusive offers such as sneak previews.

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