From Jul 29th through Aug 2nd, 2008.
The Urban Theatre and Entertainment Awards Festival is celebrating the contributions of people of color and the nationwide achievements of urban theater productions this year. Performances will take place through several locations in Miami-Dade and there is a long list of presentations, workshops and satellite events planned to entertain theatre lovers attending the festival this summer.
Calendar of Events:
UTEF Celebrity Gala
The Gala will take place on July 29th, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. at the Broward County Convention Center, located at 1950 Eisenhower Blvd. in Ft. Lauderdale. This is a Star-studded Hollywood Style Red Carpet Premiere and Opening night Gala. The tradition of the Celebrity Gala started in Winston Salem NC at the “National Black Theatre Festival” and we are continuing this proud tradition. The Festival opens with a “Parade of Stars” and Awards will be given to key individuals and organizations that have impacted the industry after dinner is served. The night will end with a production that will “kick off” the week of productions
UTEF Workshop
The Workshop will take place on July 31st and August 1st, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the James L Knight Center located at 400 SE 2nd Avenue in Miami. It will provide business and legal side of theater and entertainment industry with Entertainment Attorney & Industry Icons, Don Mizell, Jonathon Black and Frank Ferguson sharing their expertise. Jeba Media Group will do a workshop on the Art of developing your own audience and interacting with the media in the area of theatre.
U Got Me Bent and Twisted by Cookie Wiggins
The play will take place on July 31st and August 1st, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. at the James L Knight Center, located at 400 SE 2nd Avenue in Miami. This national hit stage play will address the issue of abused, battered and homeless women and children. Cookie Wiggins a former director or of the Harvest House Shelter in Detroit Michigan for 15 years, takes her message to the world that there are stories of life changes right under your nose. There is no place for domestic violence or violence among Youth, and Cookie Wiggins' ministry is to use theatre to tell these stories.
Diaspora Market Place
This event will take place on July 31st and August 1st, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at the James L Knight Center, located at 400 SE 2nd Avenue in Miami. The Diaspora Market Place is a mixture of cultural themes and multicultural products and services including apparel, home accessories, music, entertainment products, theatre memorabilia, health and beauty and more.
U Got Issues 2 by Stephen and Cheryl Quant
This play will take place on July 31st, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. at the Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts, located at 15800 NW 42nd Avenue in Miami Gardens. U Got Issues 2 addresses the issue of how kids can be cruel and how poor decision-making can affect their lives forever.
Right Love Wrong Time
This play will take place on July 31st, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. at the Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts, located at 15800 NW 42nd Avenue in Miami Gardens. Right Love Wrong Time deals with relationships and how gets the audience caught up with the twist and turns or this group of people that represents everyday situations.
UTEF Youth Theatre Productions
This play will take place on July 30th, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. at a location still to be announced. Actress Ella Joyce's rendition of Rosa Parks life, "A Rose Among Thorns" the story of the mother of the civil rights movement.
The Drama that Surrounds Me by Leroy Meadows
This performance will take place on July 30th, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. at St. Luke MBC, located at 1790 NW 55 Avenue in Miami. This production deals with relationships and how gets the audience caught up with the twist and turns or this group of people that represents everyday situations.
Authentic Black Cowboy featuring Rufus Thomas
This performance will take place on July 30th, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, located at 6161 NW 22 Ave, Miami. This Horse Whisperer shares tales with our youth and takes them back in time to the old west. Demonstration of roping techniques on a nearby ranch.
Urban Theatre & Entertainment Festival Poetry Experience for Kids
This event will take place on July 30th, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, located at 6161 NW 22 Avenue in Miami. It is free and open to the public. The art of spoken word hosted by Bridgette "Dr. Rize" Jones and Rebecca Butterfly Vaghns featuring Malcolm-Jamal Warner as celebrity judge (Cosby show and Malcolm and Eddie) Helena Lewis and Weusi Baraka from the NBTF as Celebrity hosts. Event will be at various venues such as the Literary Cafe (Will DaReal One)
Life As A Teenager by Donald Gray
This performance will take place on July 31st, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, located at 6161 NW 22 Avenue in Miami. This Donald Gray production is made for teenagers and their parents focusing on HIV/Aids exposure, juvenile detention facilities and more.
Once in a Wifetime by Carl Clay
This performance will take place on July 31st, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. at the Joseph Caleb Center Auditorium, located at 5400 NW 22 Avenue in Miami. In "Once in a Wifetime", Brother Willie decides to ask his current wife if he can bring home a 2nd wife to practice what he calls the tradition of his ancestors. He believes it is his African heritage to practice polygamy. Enter Irma, a southern born not in my backyard kind of gal who will do anything for her man. Well, almost anything. The sparks fly when Willie tries to go through with this social experiment in the home that he and Irma share. You will not leave your seat until you find out; can polygamy really work in the Black Community?
UTEF Youth Dance and Step Competition by Donald Gray
This event will take place on August 2nd, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. at the Joseph Caleb Center Auditorium, located at 5400 NW 22 Avenue in Miami. The Best of Both Worlds: Participating youth from Children Trust funded Programs will receive complementary tickets to the Best of Both Worlds Dance and Step Competition all others ticket price $20.00. Local and national celebrity judges and renowned and aspiring youth talent will be showcased.
Other festival's featured events include UTEF Poetry and Jazz Experience 1 and 2; Itching Ears, a play by Danielle Robeson; I Question America by E. P. Mc Knight; Fathers Prayer by Kosmond Russell.
For more information, please call: 305.835.0321
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