Ebony Pride 2009 Entertainment Lineup

(In alphabetical order.)

Ahlyse

Ahlyse has been performing for 10+ years. Ahlyse is from San Diego, CA. and has a cool unique and talented assortment of friends and fellow artists. Ahlyse is currently working on a business plan to start her own entertainment business and learning piano.

Blue Buddha

Blue Buddha is a singer, songwriter, lyricist, writer, performance artist, activist and student. He has been singing since the age of seven in school and church choirs, with rock bands like Juggernaut, Upright Urbanite, Iconoclasts and Blue Buddha, as a band w/ Friends and as a solo artist. His inspiration for writing songs, lyrics or performance pieces comes from his life journey and the intersection of others. Be it a brief glance of a stranger, shame and hatred from a loved one or a revelation about his own happiness those moments mature into music, prose, laughter, pain, joy, tears and love. A Love of wonder, surprises, and newness, of hurt with the awareness there is a lesson to be learned and of family in its many configurations! Blue has played in San Francisco venues like El Rio, The Eagle Tavern, DNA Lounge, Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory, Masonic Temple and SF Pride Main and Soul of Pride African American Stages. He has hosted open mics in San Francisco at El Rio, Voo Doo Lounge and Brainwash, which won “The Best Open Mic” in 2004 in The Bay Guardian. The performance artist side of Blue is new and has been cultivated in shows with Super Sonic Theatre, “Exit Sign: A Rock Opera” by Carrie Baum and under the direction of Dwayne Calizo for The Hazardous Waste Project: Making Love. The Start of this new thread germinated in Tremors Festival at New College Theatre with his debut writing and performance piece, “re: Fat Ass!” Blue Buddha and Friends won first place for "Original Material" in the Cabaret Showcase Showdown at Bijou, hosted by Trauma Flintstone and Katya Smirnoff Skyy. Buddha has recently received a grant from the Queer Cultural Center to write and perform a show for the 2009 Queer Performance Festival in San Francisco. He has also been an active member and sits on the board of the non-profit, The Community Initiative. Blue is currently finishing his Undergrad in Interdisciplinary Studies at California Institute of Integral Studies, where he will continue to Graduate school and receive a Master’s in Psychotherapy and sit for the boards for Marriage and Family Therapist. Blue Buddha sings Jazz, House/Electronica, Rock, Blue’s, Gospel, Folk and Indie. Collaboration is one of his desires and commitments. Blue hopes you enjoy your day, live your life to the fullest and hit him up if you want to work together. peace, blue buddha "Let the Soul Rise!"

Bonni Dance

Bonni Dance is a talented R & B Singer/Songwriter/Producer. In performing studio and live vocals with local San Diego artists, she has mastered the vocal ability to handle several music styles such as R&B, Pop, Rock, Hip-Hop and even Country. Her unique voice is extremely versatile. She can go from soft and angelic to smooth and jazzy to loud and brassy...all in the same song if necessary. With a 4 ½ octave range, Bonni can sing practically anything thrown her way. She has performed at several venues from San Diego to Los Angeles as a solo artist with rave reviews. In 2005, she sang with and was appointed vocal director of the San Diego based Old School funk band, Zamore. Bonni is currently working to complete her first solo project, which she is producing herself. She considers her music for the grown and sexy due to some of the lyrical content, so put the kiddies to bed.

Cynthia Hammond

Hailed from the Motor City of Detroit, MI has been in San Diego long enough to be considered a native. A Graduate of San Diego High, Cynthia is an original member of the band Arlene and Proteins. Turned professional in 1970 and traveled on the road performing in various venues before returning to San Diego. After marriage and a raising a family Cynthia recharged her career performing at David’s Coffee House in Hillcrest. Cynthia has also performed at other San Diego locations such as; The Juke Joint Cafe, Sycuan Casino, Viejas Casino, Dizzy's, Lilo's, Stefano's Restaurant, La Jolla Country Club, Elario's, Hotel, Del, Lawrence Welk Resort, Paladion, The Sphinx, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, El Cortez Hotel, U.S. Grant, La Valencia Hotel, and Marc's Cocktail Lounge, just to name a few. Cynthia is currently an on air personality for KSDS 88.3 FM, Jazz 88, San Diego and on groovinyou.com an internet jazz station. Cynthia Hammond has also been recognized by the San Diego County African American Heritage Foundations Musicians Hall of Fame in 2005.

Dwight Love Jazz Ensemble Bio

Rhys Green – Drummer is the co-founder and artistic director of the San Diego Black Ensemble Theatre. He earned his BFA in acting from the California Institute of The Arts, after which he joined the creative arts team of New York University, teaching conflict resolution. Rhys is an associate artist with the Asian Story Theatre and the 6th and Penn Theatre Co. Rhys’s list of credits include The phantom Sword in New York, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, in Los Angeles and performances in San Diego in The African Company presents Richard III and Mojo and the Sayso, The Island, Miss Evers Boys with the San Diego Black Ensemble Theatre.

Gerry Guevara - Gerry Guevara has been a professional musician for over fifteen years and volunteers as director of a church youth choir. He values his Latino roots and is proud to be bilingual. Gerry has been working at King Chavez since 2006 and loves serving the King Chavez community. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from UCSD and is pursuing a Master’s in School Counseling. Mr. Guevara is excited to incorporate music into his counseling work. Mondays and Fridays you can find Mr. Guevara in the King Chavez Counseling Center. Tuesdays through Thursdays he teaches Guided Reading and Music in the King Chavez Primary Academy.

Dwight Love, director and lead guitarist of the Dwight Love Jazz ensemble, started playing guitar in 1970 and has played with many local bands in New Jersey. By 1973 he began a serious study of jazz. Dwight has been on many studio sessions and other than his family has two loves, Jazz and Kung fu. Dwight teaches Kung Fu at the Chinese Martial Arts Institute. “Both arts are very similar in that you need to practice the basics. Once you have the proper knowledge of the basics, you can explore the higher levels of expression.”

Ronnie Williams – Vocalist is a Chicago native and the winner of the San Diego County Fair’s First Annual Superstar Contest. He has performed on stage, in musicals and has been a part of several R & B, choral and gospel ensembles. Ronnie is also a songwriter and vocal arranger. With his soulful and strong vocal ability, Ronnie brings passion and power to every song he performs

Rhythm and The Method

Rhythm and the Method is a southern California based band specializing in original music that is in a genre all its own. The band had its beginnings in San Diego, where the dreams and visions of Rhythm Turner came into fruition. There she was joined by five talented and accomplished musicians who share the same passion as she does: making music that moves people. Together, Rhythm and the Method skillfully blend sounds of rock, blues and funk to create a unique, revolutionary sound. Their desire to spread positive messages and evoke emotion is exemplified in their powerful lyrics, well-developed musicianship, and captivating stage presence.