Posted Courtesy of Wright Enterprises San Francisco~Dallas Community Spotlight
NEW YEAR NEW VISION DAMON BATISTE & NOSACONN INC. TAKE ON CALL TO ACTION FOR NATION'S HEALING
Catch Damon with Batiste Fathers and Sons in Nola.com's 'Mardi Gras for All Y'All'
the Virtual Installment of Mardi Gras Digital Version 2021 During COVID-19 Pandemic adjustments.
NEW ORLEANS-In the wake of bringing awareness to the ongoing needs of hurricane survivors in Central America and Jamaica with the recent OAH (Operacion Asentamientos Humanos) relief, "Christmas Masquerade" at BB King's Blues Club, Damon Batiste of NOLA's "Royal Family of Music" is driven. He is driven to manifest the purpose of the cultural arts beyond just "having a good time." While determined to take note of the effects of the crisis on the music and tourism industries, Batiste is intensifying his focus on the life-changing cultural programs based in New Orleans. Batiste, founder of NOSACONN (New Orleans South Africa Connection), is in a full-court press to revitalize and uplift lives through successful programs of NOSACONN and its network of partners.
Leading the way to the healing of the nation at the ground level, where the arts meet the community and touch people in a granular way, Batiste is gathering supporters to make a substantive and sustainable difference with what's in their hands - mainly, the arts. "Music is healing. It is spiritual" said Tommy Peters, President & CEO of BB King's Blues Club, in a conversation after the successful virtual and live December 18, 2020 disaster relief fundraiser at his New Orleans BB King's Blues Club. Peters is known for his awe-inspiring economic revitalization of Beale Street as head of the Progressive Capital Investment Corporation at a time when Memphis, Tennessee political leaders were about to give up on all efforts to combat the decades of blight and decay in the area. Peters and his team rolled up their sleeves and millions of dollars later, Beale Street is a worldwide calling card of United States tourism for visitors to enjoy and refresh themselves amid Southern hospitality.
"I have all the confidence in the world that Damon Batiste will be a strong force in resisting the economic impact of the Coronavirus in New Orleans," said Peters. Discussing the impact of the worldwide pandemic bringing the entertainment industry to its knees, Peters talked about the economic impact on business. "Congress has got to get out of gridlock and do something to help small businesses with PPP, not just the major corporations who are more equipped to ride the storm."
Peters spoke of the impact of the pandemic beyond economic terms. His explanation of the impact and healing aspect of the arts and entertainment industry hit home. "Music brings people together and we've been missing those good vibes. The absence has added to the pain of the pandemic."
"What we do is not frivolous," said David Batiste Sr., the "Father" in the band, "Fathers and Sons of The New Millennium," one of several historical musical derivatives of his Louisiana Hall of Fame group, "David and the Gladiators." A widely recognized bandleader, keyboards and B3 organ player, singer, composer and producer in his own right, David Batiste Sr. displays his passion for purpose in all he does. "Our music is more than making people feel good, which is a very important element; it is also an economic engine that needs to be cultivated and cared for as one would plant and harvest a productive farm," he said.
In addition to Damon Batiste, the "Fathers and Sons" band also includes David Sr.'s well-known sons, Russell, Jamal and Ryan.
Damon Batiste's purpose-driven life is yielding fruit. An example is that of emerging drummer, 18-year-old Danno Petersen (https://youtu.be/iLKpHg45Ug0), who will be coming from South Africa to study at New York City's Manhattan School of Music Conservatory. "Damon Batiste and NOSACONN have been instrumental in guiding our family's next steps in the cultivation of Danno," said Danno's father, keyboardist and percussionist, Danny Petersen Sr. "NOSACONN is part of our success and we look forward to continued partnership."
With David Batiste's leading of a band of seven students groomed by NOSACONN's After School Corporation to Michelle Obama's last White House event for the White House Initiative on Turnaround Arts – in partnership with the United Way of Louisiana and other programs – NOSACONN and the Batistes have laid the groundwork for a new beginning in 2021. It's a New Year that calls for the healing that the new President Joe Biden has declared the United States of America desperately needs.
The music continues with NOLA's "Royal Family of Music" as the Batistes will take part in NOLA's virtual Mardi Gras, from February 14th through the 16th. Visit NOLA.com for more info and programming information.
For more information about Damon Batiste and NOSACONN visit www.nosaconn.com. For information about the band itself, go to www.batistefathersandsons.com. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter to stay abreast of what's going on. Keep your track shoes handy to keep up!
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