Woodystock Celebrates Community on Give Miami Day November 21 at Zest Miami

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Non-profit Woody Foundation raises funds to transform the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries and living with paralysis, hosts event featuring live music, food and community

Coral Gables, FL – October 31, 2019 – The 7th annual Woodystock Benefit Concert is designed to be a combo celebration and fundraiser, an opportunity to give back and give thanks. It is very telling and extremely fitting then, that the free, all-ages event will be held on Give Miami Day, Thursday, November 21, 2019. It will feature food and beverages from Zest Miami, and live music byRip Cord from Young Musicians Unite, the French Horn Collective and Electric Piquete. Zest is located at 200 S Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33135. The celebration begins at 6 p.m.

“Woodystock is an opportunity to share what our organization is doing with the public,” says founder James “Woody” Beckham. “It’s also a free event so anyone is welcome to come out, have a good time, enjoy the music, and the food and beverages from Zest Miami.” Woody suffered a spinal cord injury on January 29, 2011 while making a tackle playing rugby for Florida Atlantic University. The Beckham family formed the 501(c)3 shortly after to give away Woody Packs, which help improve the quality of life of those affected by similar injuries and the organization gives away for free, raise awareness and funds.

The Woody Foundation is about empowering people to reach their higher potential, whether becoming more independent or learning about information that will help. About this year’s event, Woody offers: “I’ve had some health issues over the last year, so I just appreciate the opportunity to have a good time with the people I love. Don’t know how many times I will get to do that, so being surrounded by people that love you makes me feel very grateful.”

Young Musicians Unite collaborates with schools to provide free music education and believes that every student in Miami-Dade deserves access to music education regardless of their socio-economic background. The French Horn Collective is a Miami-based band that performs an eclectic variety of Gypsy jazz, swing, and modern original French music. Miami’s Electric Piquete is an award-winning Latin funk septet best known for its fiery originals and inventive interpretations of Latin jazz / fusion standards.

The foundation is planning a very special announcement, so the public and the press are highly encouraged to attend in order to hear it first-hand. The event is generously being supported by the 7-time title sponsor CFH Group, a residential and commercial real estate company. 

For more information, visit www.WoodyFoundation.org or call 305.586.3107.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
info@mutcomm.com
786.426.2277


Electric Piquete Crowd Funding Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Electric Piquete Launch Full Length and Vinyl Release Crowd Funding Campaign

Latin funk band aims to record seven songs plus covers, and issue new music

Hialeah, FL – August 20, 2018 – If lucky and good, there aren’t many things a band around for 11 years doesn’t get to do or see. Electric Piquete has twice been named “Best Latin Band” by the Miami New Times, garnered much local press, been featured on regional and national news media, played countless high profile (and crappy) gigs, joined the music festival circuit, and even tangled with Hurricane Matthew.

There are however, three glaring items on the Hialeah-based Latin funk / fusion band’s bucket list: release a full-length collection, issue music on vinyl, and run a successful crowd-funding campaign. They intend to do all three in one shot. Those interested in contributing to the cause on Indiegogo and accessing the available perks should navigate here: http://bit.ly/EPIGG.

“I’ve been itching to get back into the studio for a long time now, and this campaign is certainly going to facilitate that,” says Michael Mut, co-founder, bassist and band leader. “It’s only fitting to issue the music on vinyl, as that seems to be the only format that is selling these days. We are really excited about the new material, and are grateful for any support our family, friends and fans can offer. We invite everyone to check out the perks we have available.”

The band is offering everything from Skype instrument, theory and social media lessons, to autographed drum heads and set lists, to private performances; perks start at $15. They’ve even put longtime friend and producer Ferny Coipel up for the taking – for $150, you can have him drive to your location anywhere in the tri-county area, and have him make you Cuban coffee while serenading you with the classic Charanga 76 tune “El Café de Hialeah”. In a skirt. The featured perk is the “EP tee & CD package”, which is available for $40.

Electric Piquete’s music has been licensed by Lexus, featured in the Emmy-winning Joe Cardona documentary Miami Boheme, and on an episode of CNNGo. The band is a veritable melting pot of influences that range from rock to jazz and spiced with everything in between: funk, fusion, old-school salsa, progressive and R&B. Though mostly instrumental, they feature vocals with three-part harmonies and rapping on several numbers.

The bulk of the new material is newly-penned and relatively-new tracks, with a couple of hold-overs from previous recording sessions. There are plans to record a couple of signature cover tunes. In 2016, they issued the Singles Collection, which encapsulated the group’s most recent and noteworthy works. Last year a live version of the relatively new track “Chunk” surfaced on the band’s Soundcloud page.

Electric Piquete also features co-founder Ed Rosado on drums, ChrisCorreoso (guitar), and Rich Dixon on trumpet and flugelhorn. The band’s sound is currently augmented by Raymond Ayala on percussion and vocals, Charles Gardner on keyboards, and Robert Smiley on tenor sax and flute. Occasionally, the band features special guests Damian J. Sanchez on saxophones and flute, Maco Monthervil on vocals, and Jose Miranda on trombone.

For more information, visit www.ElectricPiquete.com or call 786.426.2277.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
info@mutcomm.com
786.426.2277


#DHMC6 – December 3 – Las Rosas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dan Hosker Music Continuum Celebrates Release of Distinguish the Sound at Las Rosas December 3

 

Life of late musician will be celebrated during release party for compilation to raise funds for namesake scholarship

Miami, FL – November 14, 2017 –  Dan Hosker may be gone, but in no way is he forgotten. The dynamic musician who sadly passed away in 2012 lives on thanks to the efforts of his sister Chris Hosker O’BrienFrank Rat Bastard” Falestra, Holy Terrors bandmate Rob Elba and the Dan Hosker Music Continuum (DHMC), an event that raises funds for a music scholarship each year. This year’s event will take place Sunday, December 3, 2017, from 6 p.m. to midnight at Las Rosas (2898 NW 7th Avenue, Miami, FL 33127). Cost to attend is $10 for 18 and over$20 will include a copy of the CD and admission.

The event’s companion CD is called Distinguish the Sound and features previously unreleased tracks from South Florida favorites, past and present, including Charlie PickettJacuzzi BoysNil LaraFor SquirrelsArlan FeilesHumbertCurious HairDiane WardGold Dust LoungeThe GoodsViva Le Vox, Ian Hammond & The Ugly Truth, Jim John Camacho, Jim Wurster, Shark Valley Sisters, The Brand, Plutonium Pie WursterShark Valley Sisters, The BrandPlutonium Pie and many more. Many of these artists will be performing live that night, along with sets by DJ Skidmark.

“This year, especially with the compilation CD, it really hit home to me how many people Dan touched in his 22 years down here,” says Elba. “Usually musicians kind of find their tribe, be it punks, folkies, etc., but so many different type of artists respected him so much and wanted to be involved with this – it’s really a testament to the type of person Dan was.”

All proceeds will go towards the continued funding of the DHMC scholarship and this year, the Xela Zaid / Alex Diaz Stroke Recovery Fund. Past DHMCs have helped Priya Ray from Kreamy Lectric Santa buy a handicap-accessible van, and helped purchase instruments for the Miami Girls Rock Camp. This year’s event will be hosted by Nicky BoweMrC and Dave Daniels, legendary founder and former owner of Churchill’s Pub.

Sample the new music release here: https://youtu.be/TiYA6zdLZVc

A full preview of all 32 tracks is available for the press with a special code. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/516504455374591or call 786.780.2700.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com

 


“The Show Me Show” Kickstarter Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Noel MacNeal’s The Show Me Show for Kids with Autism Launches Kickstarter Campaign

 

Fundraiser needs $55K by May 17 in order to begin production of interactive web series

 

Brooklyn, NY – April 19, 2016 – Professional puppeteer and Muppets performer Noel MacNeal (Bear of Disney’s Bear in the Big Blue House and Magellan the Dragon from Nick Jr.’s Eureeka’s Castle) has launched a crowdsourcing campaign for his latest project, “The Show Me Show”, an online series for kids with autism and special needs. This live action educational series will be available for viewers to download and then “choose” which version of the show they would like to help the characters (and Noel) create. Those interested in making a tax-deductible contribution and learning more about the benefits of donating can do so at http://kck.st/1NzHXY2.

The show, produced by MacNeal’s non-profit company Elephant Shoes, Inc., presents early science and math concepts such as counting to three to dance the waltz, or using simple engineering, like using a ramp to get a prop on stage. It will also help autistic and special needs kids recognize and work through everyday social and emotional situations; for example, meeting people, playing together, handling changes / transitions, recognizing emotional reactions in others and in themselves, etc.

Apart from host MacNeal, the show will feature three main puppet characters. Fynnias is a five-year-old with an endless amount of energy and eagerness. He loves to pretend, has a winning smile, expressive eyes and a wild imagination for creating stories and plays. Older sister Taylor is a bright and gifted eight-year-old girl with a quick wit who knows she wants to be a professional singer when she grows up. Nona is the mature, “invented” yak that Noel created from assorted this-and-that items on hand; she is the host’s best friend and confidante, and often, dance partner.

At the start of each show, the day’s “guest star” is revealed – a sound (e.g. “laughter”), a color (e.g. “blue”), a number (e.g. “three”), or a shape (e.g. “circle” or the “human hand”). Two characters will have an idea on what kind of show to do. The viewer will be asked to choose who they want help create the show, then the show proceeds in that direction. Because all episodes are downloadable, viewers can go back and pick the alternate choice to see the same show go in the other direction. Thus, each episode is two shows in one, reminiscent of the popular Choose Your Own Adventure books written by Edward Packard beginning in the 1970s.

The perks for donating to the fundraiser include everything from social media shout outs from Noel and Fynnias, to the musical soundtrack to the show featuring music composed by award-winning singer-songwriter Jim Camacho; autographed photos of MacNeal with the now classic and iconic characters he helped bring to life for children’s television; Skype chats and tours of the set; a personalized puppet to be used on the show, then sent to the owner, and more.

For more information about the program, visit www.theshowmeshow.com.

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ABOUT NOEL MACNEAL

Noel MacNeal launched his career performing on PBS’s award-winning Sesame Street, where he honed his craft with puppetry legends Jim Henson and Frank Oz. He’s been a performer on Sesame Street for more than thirty years, and has trained puppeteers in Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Jordan, Palestine, India, and Pakistan for the Sesame Workshop international co-productions of Sesame Street. Noel has also performed with Disney’s The Muppets as Sweetums.

For more than a decade, Noel was the spirit and voice of Bear, the gentle and lovable star of the Emmy Award-winning series Disney’s Bear in the Big Blue House and the Disney Channel morning series Breakfast with Bear. In 2003, Noel received a Daytime Emmy Nomination as “Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series.”

His repertoire of characters also includes Kako on the Nick Jr. series Oobi and Blue on Nick Jr.’s Blue’s Room. He’s also played Magellan on the award-winning series Eureeka’s Castle on Nick Jr., Madame Chairbird in the film Sesame Street Presents: Follow That BirdRabbit for Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning series The Book of PoohLeon on PBS’s The Puzzle Place, and KnockKnock on The Great Space Coaster.

Noel is also a television writer. His scripts have been featured on PBS Kids Sprout’s The Goodnight ShowBear in the Big Blue House, The Puzzle PlaceThe Magic Schoolbus, CyberchaseEureeka’s Castle and Gullah Gullah Island. He is also a script and television directorial adviser and consultant for the international versions of Sesame Street, as well having directed episodes of Bear in the Big Blue House and The Good Night Show.

Noel lives in Brooklyn with his wife, novelist Susan Elia MacNeal, (of the Maggie Hope Mystery series) and ten-year-old son, Matt (a budding puppeteer).

For more information, visit www.noelmacneal.com.

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UM-NSU CARD’s Annual Tropical Nights Gala 5/7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2016 Tropical Nights Honors Mona Nasser And Tom Whitehurst

CORAL GABLES, FL – April 12, 2016 – The University of Miami – Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD) will host the 14th annual Tropical Nights on Saturday, May 7th at the InterContinental Miami while raising awareness and funds for South Florida autism services and programs.

More than 500 guests are expected to join event co-chairs Blake Sando from Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. and his wife Jennifer Sando, to celebrate CARD’s excellence in serving the South Florida autism community. This year, Tropical Nights will honor two prominent CARD parents, Mona Nasser and Tom Whitehurst. Ms. Nasser will receive the Cruz-Whitehurst Advocacy Award, and Mr. Whitehurst will receive the CARD Community Leadership Award. This year’s featured artist is Rachel Olin Levy. Her piece, “Calla Lilies” (30” x 22” Gouache and watercolor), will be up for live auction at Tropical Nights. Rachel is a passionate outsider artist diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and a Non-Verbal Learning Disability. Her paintings are nature-inspired.

“Almost from the very beginning of CARD, these two amazing parents and advocates have believed in our mission, supported us in fulfilling our promise, gently guided us in new directions that needed to be explored, and inspired us to be better than we ever imagined we could be,” says Center for Autism & Related Disabilities, Executive Director Dr. Michael Alessandri. “Both are now actively forging new paths in employment and housing for adults with autism who share the same lifelong needs as their own adult children.”

This year’s focus highlights the journeys of the families of our honorees  and others like them, their efforts to create innovative programming for adults with autism with significant needs, and the role CARD has played in supporting them on this journey. Guests are invited to join CARD for a cocktail reception followed by a night of fine dining, live and silent auction, dancing to the sounds from DJ1Tre AKA Michael Marino. Proceeds from this event directly benefit the lifelong services and programs of CARD which are provided to local families at no direct cost to them.

Tropical Nights is locally sponsored by Greenberg Traurig, Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A., Bilzin, Sumberg, LLP, Hogan Lovells, Coral Gables Bar Association, Paul J. DiMare Foundation, Whitehurst Advisory Group of Raymond James, Bacardi USA, Padron Cigars, and many more. Media sponsors include Brickell Magazine/Key Biscayne Magazine and The Florida Villager.

For more information about this event visit www.cardtropicalnights.org or contact Michelle Costa at 305.284.9126.  For more information on CARD, please call 800.9.AUTISM, x1 (800.928.8476) or visit www.umcard.org.

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ABOUT CARD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of our diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world. www.miami.edu.

CARD is a state-funded resource and support program dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and related disabilities including deaf-blindness and pervasive developmental disorders.  CARD is based at 7 universities throughout Florida including the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University, which together form UM-NSU CARD in South Florida.

Autism is a neurological disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate, understand language, play and socially interact with others.

MEDIA CONTACT
Michelle Costa
305.301.4387
mke@miami.edu


Memorial West Imaging Relay For Life Fundraiser

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Red Robin Pembroke Pines to Host Memorial West Imaging Relay For Life Fundraiser March 30

Local eatery partners with the Memorial West Imaging Department, helps raise funds and awareness to save lives from cancer

Pembroke Pines, FL – March 8, 2016 – Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews is nationally known for a tasty menu and a great selection of adult beverages, but the Pembroke Lakes Mall store (11401 Pines Blvd, #892, Pembroke Pines, FL 33026) is helping to make a difference in the local community by donating 10% of every meal purchased from 4 to 9 p.m. on March 30, 2016 to the American Cancer Society. The eatery has partnered with the Memorial Hospital West Imaging Department’s Relay For Life Teamto help raise funds for the upcoming event at Walter C. Young Middle event scheduled for Friday, April 1, 2016, at 901 NW 129th Ave, Pembroke Pines, FL 33028, beginning at 6 p.m.

“We’re happy to join the cause and help the wonderful team at Memorial West Hospital,” says Assistant General Manager Chris Jimenez. “Everyone, including myself, knows someone who has been affected by this horrible disease, and I am proud and thankful that Red Robin has allowed our location to pitch in. We invite everyone to come in and eat and drink for a great cause.” Participants must present a special flyer and join the restaurant’s free Royalty rewards program.

Red Robin’s Pembroke Lakes Mall location has been open since 2012 near JC Penney on the southeast side of the property. The menu is naturally heavy on fire-grilled burger options, including the newly returned Wild Pacific Crab Cake Burger, but also features wraps, entrees and salads, as well as appetizers and desserts, and an all-new allergen-friendly menu customizer. The chain’s famous steak fries and other goodies can now be found in local grocers.

Memorial Regional Hospital is one of Florida’s largest and most sophisticated hospitals. Headquartered in Hollywood, the original hospital location opened in 1953 and has been an integral part of the community ever since. They offer an extensive scope of services complemented by a highly qualified medical staff representing a wide variety of medical and surgical specialties.

The Women’s Imaging Center at Memorial Regional Hospital is looking for additional vendors and establishments who are willing to donate gift cards and items for a day-of-the-event raffle. Interested parties should contact Vanessa Hernandez at 954.844.7924 or vahernandez@mhs.net. The theme for this year’s Relay For Life team is “Stormtroopers”.

For more information, please visit www.RedRobin.com or call 954.447.3997.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com

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