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”Por Que? ˇPorque…!” the latest CD from NYC Latino band Los Ciegos Del Barrio was released Tuesday, June 23. It pays tribute to the late blind poet/educator/activist Mary Anne Parks. Through August 31, 25% of proceeds from the sales will help support a scholarship set up in her honor. Visit: http://www.losciegos.com
"We would like to thank the members of Los Ciegos Del Barrio for this generous and thoughtful gift," said Dennis Holston (31, Manhattan), president of the non-profit Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind (PAD, NFB), "This is a fitting tribute to Mary Anne, and I know she would be excited about this new collection."
Though they never met, Mary Anne's work as Performing Arts Division secretary touched their lives. Los Ciegos Del Barrio is featured on PAD's "Sound in Sight" CD, a multi-genre compilation of 18 original tracks and covers all donated by blind recording artists. The CD, available at www.padnfb.org or www.cdbaby.com/cd/padotnfotb, celebrates the talents of blind Americans and raises funds which support PAD's work. Mary Anne was instrumental in bringing the project to fruition.
"Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Mary Anne personally," says Los Ciegos Del Barrio group leader Alvin Suarez, "we know she had a significant hand in including us in "Sound in Sight." I never got a chance to thank her personally. We recognize how dear Mary Anne was to so many people and we understand how incredibly energetic and sweet she was and it was certainly devastating to us when we learned about her passing."
According to Holston, a talent recruiter for the Manhattan-based Visionary Media Company who is in his second term as PAD's president, copies of the new Los Ciegos del Barrio CD will be sold at the NFB's upcoming national convention in Detroit (July 2-8); proceeds from these sales will also support the Mary Anne Parks Performing Arts Scholarship.
Parks was killed at age 31 when a car broadsided the Hands on Atlanta van in which she was riding. A master's candidate who held several leadership positions in the National Federation of the Blind, Mary Anne was on her way to do volunteer teaching at the time of her death.
"Los Ciegos Del Barrio" is a multi genre Latin music group. They play Merengue, Bachata, Salsa, Cumbia, Reggaeton, and Rock music in both English and Spanish. "Los Ciegos Del Barrio" literally translates to "The Blind Boys from the Hood". The name was originally meant to be a joke, but they ended up keeping it as an ice breaker. Most of the band members, who have been playing together since 1997 and recording since 2000, are legally blind.
Members include: Alvin Suarez - Band director, lead guitar, drum kit, percussion and vocals. Derek Christopher Suarez - Bass, Congas, percussion and vocals. Jaime Diaz - Rhythm guitar, bass and vocals. Machete - Keyboards, harmonica, accordion, percussion and vocals. Jimmy Fontanez - Tambora, bongos and percussion. Angel Dueno - Guira and timbales. He's the only member who's actually not visually impaired. Angel and Jimmy both live in upstate New York.
For further information about Los Ciegos del Barrio, call: (718) 886-8686, or visit the group's MySpace page at www.myspace.com/losciegosdelbarrio
*About the National Federation of the Blind: With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
]]>Born with glaucoma, given up for adoption, blind by twelve, a high school drop-out ... all spelled long odds for an African-American kid in New York City. But, the odds-makers didn’t know Dennis Holston. Dennis (31, Manhattan) boot-strapped his way to a successful life as a computer teacher and artist recruiter. He mentors two teens through Mentoring USA and I Mentor. Now in his third year at the helm of the volunteer-run, nonprofit Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind (PAD, NFB, www.padnfb.org).
Holston’s leadership is making inroads into the sighted world for blind entertainers. PAD offers scholarships which are funded through sales of the "Sound in Sight" CD, a multi-genre compilation of 18 original tracks and covers by blind musicians. Hear clips at www.cdbaby.com/cd/padotnfotb.
Dennis, in his second term as PAD’s president, is dedicated to expanding opportunities for blind entertainers, a vital step for improving acceptance and opportunity for all blind Americans. In 2002, when he was elected Treasurer, PAD was floundering. Dennis became president in 2006. He combed the nation for promising blind recording artists and persuaded eighteen to donate original tracks and covers to "Sound in Sight.", The CD, a cross-genre compilation, features acclaimed blind musicians including Florida Idol finalist, Seria Chatters (Tampa), Just Plain Folks Album of the Year finalist, Brooke Fox (Brooklyn) and internationally acclaimed percussionist Jimmy Fontanez (Albany, NY).
Proceeds support the Mary Anne Parks Performing Arts Scholarship. The fund memorializes PAD’s secretary, master’s candidate and prominent NFB leader, who died at thirty in a traffic accident on her way to do volunteer teaching.
"Seventy percent of working age blind Americans are "un"employed," Holston says, "Only ten percent of blind kids are taught Braille despite strong Braille literacy/success links. There hasn’t been a new, blind American superstar in decades. And, the only famous blind woman most of us know is Helen Keller, who died over fifty years ago."
Dennis understands the role that strong media presence has played in advances made by other minorities. Politics is a life-long passion. He worked on the campaigns of current NYC Mayor Bloomberg and former NY Gov. Spitzer. Not surprisingly, he persuaded NY Gov. David Paterson, legally blind, to establish the first ever "Blind Entertainers Week."
"I have always wanted to be a mentor," says Dennis, who recently re established contact with his birth family, "I felt that I had a lot to offer young black teens, but I was afraid that the blindness would get in the way. Finally, in 2005, I stopped running. When I got my first kid in 2006, he did not seam to care about the blindness at all. I found out that these teens are just glad that an older man is there to turn to."
Dennis, who writes songs blending pop, R&B and rock, has also had a profound impact on the blind performers he located. Many have taken on leadership roles in PAD. Brooke Fox is vice president. Beth Allred, a decorated University of Colorado (Boulder) grad student in opera performance, is secretary. Seria is on the board of directors along with Mindy Jacobsen (NYC), the first blind woman cantor. Harvard grad and acclaimed vocalist Lisa Ostrow (Boston) is the scholarship coordinator.
To e mail Dennis, go to PAD's Contact Page.
*About the National Federation of the Blind: With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
]]>Blind composer/arrangers, recording engineers and broadcasters rely on sophisticated software programs. Music programs are not always accessible with the screen readers used to create documents, do e mail or surf the web. The interfaces which bridge the gaps and training to use them are expensive.
Mindy helped create the Mary Anne Parks Performing Arts Scholarship. Her leadership was crucial in launching the “Sound in Sight” CD, a multi genre compilation of eighteen original tracks and covers, all donated by blind recording artists. Sales support the scholarship fund. Hear clips at www.cdbaby.com/cd/padotnfotb.
Blind from birth due to Retinopathy of Prematurity, Mindy is a true pioneer. She was part of the first group of blind children to attend public school in Miami, she is practiced at ignoring other people’s low expectations of her. At age nine, she sang in her first quartet. As a high school junior, she was the first blind member of her local SING OUT cast (a branch of UP WITH PEOPLE). She later founded a cast in Tallahassee, FL. In 1978, Mindy became the first blind woman ordained as a cantor.
As a music education undergrad, her professors insisted that she never lead a chorus. Many are delighted that she ignored them. With Mindy as director, her local SWEET Adelines chorus won first place in the regional’s small chorus division from 1994 through 1996.
An avid knitter who still teaches computer to blind people, Mindy says, “I enjoy introducing technology to blind and visually impaired people and watching renewed hope fill their hearts and dreams.”
“I also work with senior citizens who are losing vision,” she continues, “I attempt to help them out of their depression and motivate them to learn the skills that will enable them to enjoy their lives again.”
President Dennis Holston invited Mindy to speak at PAD’s 2006 convention. Afterwards, attendees persuaded her to run for the board. In 2008, Holston appointed her to one of the board’s permanent seats. Mindy is also First Vice President of the NFB of NY.
Seventy percent of working-age blind Americans are unemployed. Just ten percent of blind kids are taught Braille, the only tool offering blind people true literacy. Nonetheless, there are blind lawyers, chemists, engineers, mechanics, teachers, journalists and so on. Many within the NFB, including Mindy, believe the reason for the disparity is social attitude. PAD hopes that bringing more blind entertainers into the mainstream will improve public understanding and acceptance for all blind people.
*About the National Federation of the Blind: With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
]]>Proceeds from the sale of “Sound in Sight” support the Mary Anne Parks Performing Arts Scholarship for blind students majoring in the performing arts. Here clips from the CD at www.cdbaby.com/cd/padotnfotb.
Recording artists featured on “Sound in Sight” include singer/songwriter Seria Chatters (Tampa), a 2006 Florida Idol finalist and half of the hip hop duo Kemistry, whose single “Body Heat” topped dance charts in 2008. The CD includes songs by 2006 Jus Plain Folks finalist Brooke Fox (NYC), country singer songwriter J.P. Williams (Nashville), easy jazz vocalist Lisa Ostrow (Boston), Sarasota-based jazz pianist Mike Markaverich and opera singer Beth Allred (Denver).
PAD’s purpose is to support blind and visually impaired entertainers through scholarships, subsidies, mentoring, networking and peer support. As part of their larger goal as a division of the NFB, PAD works to improve opportunities for all blind people through the performing arts. Unemployment among working-age blind Americans has remained at seventy percent for decades, consigning many talented, educated blind people to lives of poverty. Only ten percent of the nation’s blind children are taught to read Braille, the only tool offering true literacy and the common link among many successful blind people. Issues facing blind Americans rarely make the news, and many blind people report repeated problems with misunderstanding and discrimination.
PAD understands that having a strong media presence has helped other minorities. There are very few blind people in the national spotlight. There hasn’t been a new, blind American superstar for decades and the only blind woman most people can name is Helen Keller, who died over fifty years ago.
PAD hopes that in supporting blind entertainers, more blind people will enter the public arena. As understanding and acceptance increases through exposure to talented blind artists, opportunities will improve for all blind Americans.
All of the recording artists featured on the “Sound in Sight” are blind. PAD President Dennis Holston (Manhattan), an artist recruiter for the Visionary Media Company, combed the country for promising blind performers and persuaded them to donate their work to the project. Many of them have gone on to accept leadership roles in PAD. Brooke Fox is vice president, Beth Allred is secretary and Seria Chatters is on the board of directors.
*About the National Federation of the Blind: With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
]]>Are you a blind entertainer or a blind person involved in the entertainment industry as an audio engineer, producer, lawyer, booking agent, etc.? If so, the nonprofit Performing Arts Division of the NFB is looking for you. Become a resource person for our series of articles about blind entertainers, send us your bio and JPEG photos and take our survey. We would like your input about your experiences and your perspectives on issues facing blind Americans. We are also putting together a photo gallery, so include your URL if you would like a link on our site.
The Blind Entertainers Survey seeks to define what works and what doesn’t work for blind people with performing arts goals. Help us better serve the needs of America's blind entertainers and get some PR for your work.
Who should take the survey? Anyone who is blind or has a severe visual impairment who has ever sought to develop their performing arts skills as an amateur or professional -- musicians, actors, comedians, dancers, poets, broadcasters, sound engineers, etc. Whether or not you are a member of PAD of the NFB, whether or not you have been successful, whether or not you are still pursuing your art, we want to hear your experiences and thoughts. There is an online form at www.padnfb.org/perform.html.
No personal information will be conveyed to any third party. If you wish to be part of our article series or photo gallery, send your info/photos to Donna Hill through the Craigslist link. You can also request links to published articles.
PAD supports blind entertainers through the Mary Anne Parks Performing Arts Scholarship, given to blind students majoring in the performing arts. The scholarship is funded through tax-deductible donations and sales of “Sound in Sight,” a multi-genre compilation of eighteen original tracks and covers donated by blind recording artists. Download a free MP3 track from the CD at www.padnfb.org.
PAD leaders include: President Dennis Holston (Manhattan artist recruiter & vice president of the Visionary Media Company), Vice President Brooke Fox (Brooklyn), a 2006 finalist in the Just Plain Folks competition, Board member Mindy Jacobson (NYC), the first blind woman cantor and Scholarship Coordinator, easy jazz/easy pop vocalist Lisa Ostrow (Boston).
If you know anyone who may be interested in participating in these projects, please pass along this info.
Thank you,Donna Hill, Head of Media Relations, PAD, NFB
*About the National Federation of the Blind: With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
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