Think Globally, Act Locally - Pay It Forward

San Francisco Tenderloin residents will have the opportunity to attend the COPUS MUSIC premiere presentation of ‘Elements – The First World Rhythm Opera’ at Rassela’s Jazz Club on September 21st. The ‘pay it forward’ plan allows an arts lover with $20 to spare to purchase a ticket for another arts lover who could not otherwise afford to go to a quality multimedia production. When Copus composer/ pianist Wendy Loomis performed at a free Cadillac Hotel concert organized by Tenderloin Housing Clinic’s Paul Hogarth, the connection was made. Lee Walkup, who donated an 1884 Steinway grand piano to the Cadillac in memory of his sister, says: "My goal is to get people like Oscar Peterson to come down and play… Why not play for these people who could never afford a ticket?” Copus Music is reciprocating the offer and sponsoring a ‘pay it forward’ plan to bring Tenderloin folks to the Fillmore.

As part of the worldwide festival promoting Africa Unite Now and in celebration of the birthday of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Copus Music is spearheading the annual festival in the Bay Area. ‘Elements’ will feature spoken word, music, dance, video, martial arts all interwoven around the Eastern and Western themes of air, earth, fire, water, metal, and wood. One of the highlights of the event will be rarely-seen footage of Haile Selassie and Ethiopia by National Geographic and Haile Selassie’s great-granddaughter Rahel. Proceeds will go to women entrepreneurs throughout Africa via COA Forum’s microloan program.

COPUS is a world music ensemble that creates and presents original material with a positive message - rap without violence, hip hop with a degree, jazz with lyrics, classical with a beat. Gil Scott Heron meets Chick Corea. Maya Angelou meets Stravinsky. Peter Tosh meets Debussy. "It is my belief that this music could be legendary if given the opportunity to thrive." (Michael Allison, MusicDish.com).

Date/time: Friday, September 21, 2007 – 8:00pm
Cost: $20 - ‘Pay it Forward’ tickets may be purchased at www.copusmusic.com
Venue: Rassela’s Jazz Club – 1534 Fillmore Street @ Geary, San Francisco


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