MAYOR’S BLACK HISTORY GALA SET FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, AT HILTON; DINNER/DANCE FEATURES EMCEE VALERIE PRITCHETT, NAYO YOUTH DRUMMERS, AND DR. K’S MOTOWN REVUE
Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that tickets are now available for the Mayor’s Ninth Annual Black History Gala to be held at the Hilton Harrisburg on February 2, 2008. Tickets are available at $50.00 per person for the event which begins promptly at 6:30 p.m.
The "black-tie optional" event was first begun by the Mayor in 2000 to highlight the contributions of local African Americans and to raise funds for a variety of City-sponsored educational programs focused on Black History awareness and youth performances. The Gala is themed "A Celebration of Unity" in order to further illustrate the unity of purpose that has advanced African American ideals, creativity and culture in our society.
Mayor Reed said this year’s event at the Hilton Harrisburg features cold hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar beginning at 6:30 p.m., and a hot buffet dinner with three entrees beginning at 7:30 p.m. The event’s emcee, Valerie Pritchett of WHTM’s ABC-27 news, will introduce the Youth African Drummers – who studied with the NAYO Drum Troupe as part of the 2007 Black History Enrichment Series – at 8:00 p.m. Immediately following the performances, the Mayor will deliver remarks and present various Gala Sponsor Awards.
The Mayor said the featured entertainment for the evening will be Dr. K’s Motown Revue. This band wowed audiences with their stylish presentation of Motown classics at the 2007 American MusicFest in Harrisburg and was the band most requested for a return engagement. Dr. K’s talented musicians and singers will present a star-studded song and show set followed by a dance set to round-out the evening’s festivities.
Reservation forms for the Gala may be obtained from the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation by visiting its special events website at www.HarrisburgEvents.com or by calling (717) 255-3020 or (717) 233-7403. The deadline for table reservations is January 25, 2008. Business sponsorships and Corporate Recognition Tables of ten persons are still available by calling the City’s Special Events Marketing Manager, Gloria Giambalvo, at (717) 255-3034.
Reed said the Black History Gala, a major component of the City’s Black History Enrichment Series, is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the many contributions local African Americans have made to the betterment of the City, Capital Region and Pennsylvania while simultaneously raising funds to support the City’s next generation of artists and civic leaders.
Sponsors for the Black History Gala 2008 include Amtrak; Benchmark Solutions; Citizens Bank; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; FastSigns; Giant Foods; Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Inc.; The Hershey Company; Highmark BlueShield; Hilton Harrisburg & Towers; Larry Myers & Associates; Mesirow Financial; PA Housing Finance Agency; Pinnacle Health; UPS; and Wachovia Bank.
The City’s year-long Black History Enrichment Series has many components aside from the Mayor’s Black History Gala which include art contests, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest, NGOZI Martial Arts, Storytelling, NAYO Youth Drumming and Dance Workshops, free National Civil War Museum tours & program presented by The KUUMBA Ensemble of Baltimore, MD, the Harambee Foundation 2008 Maafa Play, the Summer Enrichment Program, the BARAK, Inc., Summer Mural Project, "Drums Along The Susquehanna" during Kipona, and drama workshops, among other events.
For more information on the City of Harrisburg’s Black History Enrichment Series, visit www.HarrisburgEvents.com or call the Department of Parks and Recreation at (717) 255-3020 or (717) 233-7403.
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