NYC Spotlight

98.7 KISS FM in association with Marquee Concerts and North American Entertainment Group presents the "70’s Soul Jam Valentine’s Concert" on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at New York City's Beacon Theatre. Two shows at 3pm and 8pm include 5 top acts of the classic soul/R&B period: The Stylistics, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, The Delfonics, Main Ingredient featuring Cuba Gooding, and Enchantment. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, the Beacon Theatre Box Office, the Madison Square Garden Box Office, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Details at http://www.marqueeconcerts.com.

This Valentine's weekend 2012, 98.7 KISS FM in association with Marquee Concerts and North American Entertainment Group, presents a line-up of five of the hottest super-groups for the "70's Soul Jam Valentine's Concert" on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Beacon Theatre. Fans of classic soul, R&B, "Soul Train" and the memorable hits of the '70s won't want to miss this one day only event featuring two shows at 3pm and 8pm. On the bill: The Stylistics, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, The Delfonics, Main Ingredient featuring Cuba Gooding, and Enchantment.

Members of St. Luke AME Church raised more than $3,000 for their annual outreach effort and were able to buy groceries for more than a dozen families

Members of St. Luke AME Church in Harlem (www.stlukeamenyc.org) have been going around to New York City grocery stores and randomly paying people’s bills at the checkout lane. St. Luke’s outreach effort is called “Random Acts of Kindness” and they do it every year leading up to Thanksgiving as a way to demonstrate God’s love and blessings. “This year we raised more than $3,000,” says Rev. Melvin Wilson, St. Luke AME Church’s pastor. “Three teams of people, armed with $1,100 in gift cards, have been deployed to the five (5) boroughs of New York City. They identify people in the store and stand behind them at the checkout line. When the person gets ready to pay, our member takes out the card and pays for their groceries for them. It’s very simple, we know that we’ve been blessed to be a blessing to others.  This is one small way we show that, through these random act of kindness.” So far more than two dozen people and families have been blessed by St. Luke’s generosity. This is the third year that the church has been engaged in this effort, and including this year, the church has spent more than $10,000.

Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale has extended its featured performances at Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s historic National Black Theatre for December 2-11. The National Black Theatre is located at 2031-33 Fifth Avenue (between 125th and 126th Streets).  Killer Whale, directed by Stephanie Berry, is a 70 minute choreopoem that uniquely tells the story of three young women’s love affair with Harlem from youth to young adulthood through a montage of spoken word poetry, theatre, dance, and song. It explores the conflicts in coming to terms with a gentrified Harlem. The ladies recognize the Harlem that offers the best of urban living juxtaposed against the Harlem that looks and feels less like the community that the women have grown to love.  The piece was written by Jaylene Clark, Hollis Heath, Janelle Heatley, and Chyann Sapp, who collectively make up Harlem KW Project, LLC.  All four members are writers/actresses/directors/producers under 25 years old. Clark, Heath, and Sapp are Harlem natives, and Heatley a Bronx resident, yet all four women continue to call Harlem their home.

(Pictured: Harlem KW Project and Actress Comedienne, Kim Coles)

During the holiday season, the messenger brings forth the gift that keeps on giving.economic empowerment in the face of the recession. The 1209 Affair presents George C. Fraser, Networking's King Kong. On December 8^th, King Kong returns to culminate the 2011 SuccessNet event as the guest speaker at City College in the Great Hall on 160 Convent Avenue in Manhattan from 6pm to 9pm. George C. Fraser sets the floor for discussions on building an economic agenda for Black America. WBLS and WLIB radio personality, Liz Black, is SuccessNet special guest host. Honorees will be presented the PowerNetworking Awards during this event.