Author: Laura Ho

This panel will talk about hip-hop’s roots and why it continues to be one of New York City’s great contributions to global culture. It will feature stories from the pioneering hip-hop family of DJ Kool Herc and Cindy Campbell, whose August 1973 party is commonly cited as the beginning of the hip-hop movement. And from Davey D and Rob Kenner, who almost half a century later work through hip-hop to advance social change 

Panelists:

• Davey D, hip-hop journalist, activist and historian, co-author of “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of Hip-Hop, Young Adult Edition”
• DJ Kool Herc, “the Father of Hip-Hop”
• Cindy Campbell, the “Mother of Hip-Hop”
• Rob Kenner – hip-hop/dancehall journalist and filmmaker, author of “The Marathon Don’t Stop”
• Moderated by Jeff Chang, co-author of “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of Hip-Hop, Young Adult Edition”

Date: Thursday, April 29, 2021, 5:00 – 6:00 PM

This popular Family Concert Series explores Indian Classical Music. Children will learn about the Bansuri flute, Sitar and Tabla, getting up close and personal with the instruments and how their sounds contribute to Indian musical culture. Join us as we explore how they are played and the type of beautiful music they can make. Hosted by Sameer Gupta, a Brooklyn-based jazz percussionist, tabla player, composer, educator and co-founder of Brooklyn Raga Massive, this event is a fantastic introduction to Indian Classical instruments for music-lovers of all ages, but especially geared toward kids ages 0-7.

DATE: Saturday, May 1, 2021, 3:00 – 3:45 PM

Have you ever wondered how music is chosen and licensed for commercials, films, TV shows and video games?  Did you know that there is an entire industry dedicated to licensing songs for these opportunities?  This seminar for high school and college students, taught by Tom Eaton, will introduce you to how the industry works, as well as the many different job opportunities available within it.  

Tom Eaton, Senior VP of Music for Advertising, works to create new opportunities for UMPG’s current roster of writers and to serve as a liaison between the writers, advertising agencies and the publishing group in order to place songs and writers on upcoming advertising campaigns.  During his 22 years with UMPG, Eaton has placed songs in commercials for Apple, Google, Ford, KFC, Nissan, Target, Chrysler and many more well-known global brands.

Date: Wednesday, May 12, 2021, 4:00 – 5:00

Award-winning recording artist Candice Hoyes has been dubbed a modern “artist-cum-activist” for using her coloristic vocalism to explore Black identity, futurity and collective transformation. A TED presenter and a Harvard alum, she is a performer and lecturer at Jazz at Lincoln Center and CUNY. In this session, targeted to high school and college students, Candice will perform songs layered with meaning, and guide participants through reflective conversation on the cultural richness and innovation of jazz through a womanist lens, and how it inspires our vision of both music and social justice. 

Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2021, 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Numerous songs like the iconic “Give my Regards to Broadway,” “God Bless America” and “Alexander’s Rag Time Band” were composed and published in Tin Pan Alley on West 28^th Street between Broadway and 6^th Avenue during the boom of the sheet-music business there at the turn of the 20th century. “Teaching Tin Pan Alley: Then and Now” is a multimedia presentation by educator Lesley Doyel for children in grades 2-5 that focusses on and tells the stories of two enduring Tin Pan Alley songs children began learning over a century ago, and are still learning today; Take Me out to the Ball Game and The Sidewalks of New York.

Date: June 2021

As part of New York Music Month Extended Play Anti Social Producers Club — the working music producers collective of NYC — hosted a virtual Q&A on June 21, 2021 with a panel of hit female producers and engineers including Ebonie Smith, Rachel Alina, Erin Tonkon, Bryn Bliska and Kiri Stensby with organizational support from ASPC Founder Danny Ross. Students attended from educational programs like Sound Thinking NYC, The Creators Suite, Building Beats, Beats By Girlz, WIMN, She Is The Music, AES and Gender Amplified. The panel shared insights into navigating the modern music industry, gender inequity, engineering and production. Students also had a chance to submit their songs for live feedback from the panel.

Date: June 21, 2021