If you haven’t heard Wayna’s name by now-  you soon will.   She’s a refreshing artist-  writes, sings and is  dynamic on stage.    Not to mention she’s got the looks too– Wayna is gorgeous!

Her roots are Ethiopian and she resides in D.C.

I first met her after hearing her name for a while at the Nu-Soul Series at Frank’s Lounge back in June.  I loved her performance and we really vibed.   Next thing I found myself hooking her up with Les Nubians at Highline Ballroom which was a great show.

Now Wayna just embarked on a big tour of FYE retail stores which kicked off October 8th and goes through E.Coast region mid-November.

We’ve also got a free download on Soultracks of  ‘My Love’  -  Download it now as it’s a good cause for awareness -in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

This note from Wayna–October is the month we pause to remember the countless women in our country who are survivors of domestic violence.  If you’ve been to a show recently, you know that this cause is close to my heart and the subject of one of the songs on my new album, Higher Ground. This month, I’m offering it as a free download on SOULTRACKS the best site for soul music, hands down.

Please share it with your friends and loved ones and help us raise awareness about this crisis in our community.

FYE tour resumes
Come and show your support!

I’m back on the grind performing at FYEs throughout DC, MD, VA, and PA. I’ll be promoting and selling a new single featuring My Love, Mama’s Sacrifice and Mr. Duracell, as well as both full length albums, which you can pick up at any of these stops if you haven’t gotten them yet!

It would mean a lot to see you there.
Please stop by and bring a friend!

Upcoming dates:

Friday 10/10 FYE Beltway Plaza (MD) 6:00pm
Saturday 10/11, FYE Arundel Mills (MD) 2:00pm
Sunday 10/12, FYE Marley Station (MD) 2:00pm
Wednesday 10/15 FYE St. Charles Town Center (MD) 6:00pm
Thursday 10/16, FYE Mazza Gallerie (DC) 6:00pm
Friday 10/17 FYE Union Station (DC) 6:00pm
Saturday 10/18 FYE Franklyn Mills (PA) 2:00pm
Sunday 10/19 FYE Springfield Mall (VA) 2:00pm

For a full schedule, please go to Wayna’s myspace- and while your there check out the crazy super hero artwork, Prophet of Burntface created for me!

My Love video
Coming soon!

UK’s DIRTY FUZZ is starting to make a buzz Stateside.   They will be in NY for one week during CMJ.  Oct 21-27th.      The lead singer Elida is known for her outrageous moves and energy and passion stirring vocals.  Depending on the day- her hair could be pink, bright orange, green- you name it– can’t wait to see what her get ups like…..

Those of you in the know-  know she’s been blogging for me- Ms. E….One of my contributors.  She doesn’t hold back- she always says what’s on her mind and sometimes it’s quite shocking but got to give it up for her candidness and attitude.  That’s why I love her and that’s why I’m super excited to meet her co-horts in the band– the other 3.    Dirty Fuzz.

In the meantime-  they have been working hard on their debut album  ‘Rocksploitation’ and the lovely folks at OURSTAGE have been really supporting them heavily- they love Dirty Fuzz and we’ve worked out something very special so you the fans-  all the fans world-wide can get a sneak preview of the entire album  on the Party Line on Tuesday, October 14th at 4PM EST.    Ourstage ‘Listening Party’-  The next big release.    We need your support.  Log on to OURSTAGE and sign up now!

They are also featured on the CMJ/Ourstage page -  a free download-  ‘The History of Rock N Roll’.

FREE DOWNLOAD

Dirty Fuzz is performing on the OURSTAGE CMJ Showcase on Thursday, October 23rd at Ace of Clubs. at 9 Great Jones St-  $10.00 for non-CMJ badgeholders.  9PM

The Brits are doing something huge for the first time at CMJ.  Normally they just take over SXSW so this is a big deal and one of the nights is called  ‘Bring on The Brits’ at Annex. 9PM   Dirty Fuzz are playing here too.  Wednesday, October 22nd.

Yes she can!!!!

And it’s happening in D.C next week at this wonderful festival that happens yearly.

Check the line up.

D.C.’s Can A Sista Rock A Mic? Festival returns for a fourth year featuring
powerful, independent female artists in soul, hip-hop and beyond! This year the festival brings to you a film and panel discussion, a theater production and a free grand finale in beautiful downtown Silver Spring with vendors, visual art and more!
WEDNESDAY OCT 8, 7:00pm
Bohemian Caverns
2001 11th St. NW
21+

tix: $15 Ndambi/April Hill and Tamara Wellons.

CASRAM 08 opens with an acoustic show from one of the pioneers of the new soul movement, N’Dambi 2 shows: 8pm and 10pm -  8pm opening is D.C.’s own Tamara Wellons who is slated to release her newest album this month.  10 pm opening is HU graduate who lives in Atlanta- April Hill.

………………………………………..

THURSDAY OCT 9, 7:00pm
Bohemian Caverns
2001 11th St. NW
21+

tix: $10

A collage of hip-hop inspired performances from newcomers Bless Roxwell & Ra the MC , electric funk band OP Swamp 81 , funky hip-hop’s Eagle Nebula , and electro-soulful Ms. TK Wonder (with Taylor McFerrin). This is a memorable show of unique performances that will leave you in a zone!

Hosted by XO and DJ 2 Tone Jones

…………………………………….

FRIDAY OCT 10, 7:30pm
DC Arts Center
2438 18th St. NW (Adams Morgan)
Ages 17+(some nudity)

tix: $10  The Saartjie Project- http://thesaartjieprojectreloaded.eventbrite.com

The Saartjie Project : The life and legacy of Saartjie Baartman who is also known as the Hottentot Venus. Using drama, song, dance and spoken word we explore the continued fascination of the black female form.

…………………………………….

FRIDAY OCT 10, 7:30pm
The Republic
1355 U St. NW
21+

tix: $15 CASRAM-  http://casram08friday.eventbrite.com
CASRAM’s flyest take the stage for a live evening of rhythmic basslines and beautiful people as Canada’s Ayah makes her D.C. debut, along with Portland, Oregon’s Liv Warfield, pioneer Jean Baylor of Zhane’ fame, rising star Alison Carney , and hometown heroine Yahzarah

Hosted by W. Ellington Felton

………………………………………….

SATURDAY OCT 11, 2:00pm
Historical Society of Washington D.C.
801 K St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
FREE: rsvp@historydc.org

No! The Rape Documentary & Panel Discussion with Konyka Dunson: In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, NO! The Rape Documentary is a groundbreaking feature length documentary unveiling the reality of abuse and healing in the black communities, and is being used around the world by grassroots movements around the world to end violence against women. After the film, there will be an audience discussion moderated by Konyka Dunson of WPFW & DCTV.

………………………………………….

SATURDAY OCT 11, 4:00pm
Downtown Silver Spring
Ellsworth Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20910
FREE - All Ages

CASRAM closes in grand fashion every year. This year, with a family friendly environment complete with vendors and visual art in beautiful downtown Silver Spring, we feature stellar, diverse performances by the truly soulful, energetic Angela Johnson , R&B singer Emily King , young hip-hop prodigy Ms. Emoni Fela , Singer & MC Josephine Silla , reggae spiced hip-hop gems Nola Darling , spoken word matriarch Dehejia Maat , the airy, electronic Yoko K. / aphrodizia , jazzy grooving Deborah Bond , up-and-coming DC soul singers Ne’a Posey and Teisha Marie and more!

In support of Raising Expectations

This is looking like a fabulous event with some amazing talent….Kudos to Brandon Felton and Kimani Anku!!!  Awesome job and of course all the sponsors for spreading the word…

Ok- so lately I’ve felt like being active with the campaigning— just wanted to spread the word- influence people where it matters— anything we can at this point to make the difference to help create change-  the much needed change this Country oh so needs….

A few of my friends/acquaintances are going to the swing states and doing volunteer work on the Obama campaign or conducting voter registration drives-  boy- if I could get away for a week– believe me- this is something I would do too….But….I have way too much to get caught up on and too many projects that I can’t fall behind on….Thus– giving you these tips instead…

A couple  came in from DJ SCRIBE and the others from my girl Asya of Fusicology

“FEEL GOOD : VOTE”  This soap for your shower embossed with the giant word VOTE on one side and FEEL GOOD on the other… a daily reminder to register to vote, and then… VOTE! kalastyle.com

VOTING NOTICE: An important reminder not to go to the polls wearing any Obama (or whoever you are voting for) shirts, pins, hats, etc.  It is against the law and will be grounds to have the polling officials to turn you away.  This is considered campaigning and no one can campaign within X amount of feet of the polls.  Spread the Word!

DECLARE YOURSELF! Register to vote @ DeclareYourself.com | Show your support with an Obama USB Wristband obama08wristband.com.

Last but not least, please register to vote, and do what you can to get your friends registered. some people think Obama is going to win without a fight, but it’s not going to be easy at all. the stealing of the election has already begun. come to the ft. greene film society screening on oct 8 to find out more. DJ Scribe is going to Ohio next week (right after the Raw Fusion party) for a week to volunteer with Vote Today Ohio. Few people (even Ohioans) know that there is a new early voting week in Ohio. VTO is organizing a massive campaign to get Obama supporters to the polls that week to vote. if you are interested in going, the organization can help you find a ride and a place to stay. if you are not in the position to leave town for a week, check out the Obama or MoveOn websites for the many other opportunities to help (weekend trips to PA, phoning meetups, etc).   Encourage others to Vote:   This is very important.

Finally-my friend Jill Ettinger over at Universal sent this over— for all my Jewish homies and their relatives…

The 2nd Annual OWN YOUR POWER kicks off as you read this…

The founder of this fabulous event is the wonderful Simone Kelly.  I met Simone years ago at a mutual friends wedding.  Felicia Palmer and Steven Samuels of SOHH.   We couldn’t stop yapping the whole time and we became instant friends…In fact - we brainstormed the whole Give N Take network which has now become one of the hottest networking events for entrepreneurs around the Country with chapters in several Cities.

I am an active member of Give N Take and was there from the inception of Own Your Power - so even though I’m not able to participate this weekend- I am there in spirit…..   Miami Botanical Gardens–

Friday September 26, 2008: DAY ONE

Meet and Greet on South Beach located at the Catalina Hotel, 1732-1756 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33139

6:00PM-9:00PM: Open bar and appetizers available from 6-7pm! Registration for Retreat available this evening. Join us for a fun-filled Give ‘N Take Networking Session hosted by Give ‘n Take Event Manager, Stacie N.C. Grant.Meet other attendees and unwind, especially if you’ve just spent all day traveling!
(ONLY $19.99, PURCHASE ONLINE NOW.)

VOTERS REGISTRATION DRIVE JUST ADDED! Not registered yet? We will have someone available to sign you up to vote. The deadline is October 6th!

*Saturday September 27, 2008: DAY TWO

VOTERS REGISTRATION DRIVE JUST ADDED!

8:30AM - 9:00AM Registration
BREAKFAST WILL BE AVAILABLE

9:00AM -10:15AM Simone Kelly-Brown Welcome and Jewel Diamond Taylor: Keynote speaker, Its YOUR Time To Shine. Get the encouragement and boost of energy to take on your goals from these energy-packed speakers!

10:30AM-11:30AM
Control Your Financial Destiny panel with John Little - Personal Finance Expert, Lisa Silvera, Sr VP/Creative Director-Thinkking Media, Inc. and Monikah Ogando, Business Coach-Ogando Associates

11:40AM-12:30PM Live The Good Life on Zero Cash with Simone Kelly-Brown, Own Your Power Communications: Bartering is the oldest currencies and Simone will help you take advantage of your buried treasures and show you how you can trade to SAVE THOUSANDS a year. You’d be surprised how many things you have to offer!

12:30PM-2:00PM
LUNCH BREAK ON YOUR OWN

2:00PM-3:00PM Earn Income in Your Sleep with Andrew Morrison, Small Business Camp. Learn how to develop marketing systems to allow your income to grow! Develop PREDICTIBLE income streams.

3:05PM-4:05PM How Toxic Are You? with Peter Greenlaw who is an expert in the field of Nutritional Cleansing. He speaks nationally on the topic of Toxicity in America and the benefits of cleansing and eating healthy.He will discuss simple cleanses we can do to keep our bodies healthy, young, and slim. Come to his workshop and learn how to clean up your body - look better, feel better!

4:10PM-5:00PM We’re Bringing Sexy Back. In this workshop on how to enhance your Sensuality! Haven’t been feeling sexy lately and would like to learn new tips? This workshop will be an ego booster and help you discover your sexiness within, you’ll also learn tips on how to spice up your love life and share fun stories in a comfortable setting. It’s time to get your MOJO back! Angela Brinson - Psychologist, Renee O’Connor- Exotic Dancer Instructor, Art of Exotic Dance, Raina McLeod-Sex Columist for The Miami New Times, and back by popular demand, Dana Smith-Rogers -Yoga For Great Sex Instructor, Spiritual Essence Yoga.

Evening Break for Dinner On Your Own

9:00PM-12:00PM Farewell Networking Reception at the Marlin Hotel, 1200 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Open Bar and Old School Tunes to Jam to. Join us for another fun evening! FREE EVENT!

Check out more about our AMAZING speakers here: Own Your Power.
WELCOME New Sponsors: We’d also like to welcome some of our newsest sponsors to the Own Your Power Family! Did you know breakfast is on us? Fuel for our minds, bodies and souls will be provided by Epicure. Our thirsts will be quenched by Smart Water, Celcius, Fuze, and a little after hour fun during our OPEN BARS served up by Ciroc Vodka and Barefoot Wine.

Register for this life changing event TODAY by going here…

Oh- if you are missing Miami—–There will be an Own Your Power in NY in April ‘09….Stay tuned!

I got the news from a few people last night that the Black Moon Smif N Wessun show was cancelled tonight at The Knitting Factory. I was so excited about the show….However, it’s been rescheduled for November 8th.

After coming back from a Europe tour- Buckshot started having seizures and he’s been in hospital recovering.

This is what Duck Down sent out.
Tomorrow’s SOLD OUT Black Moon & Smif N Wessun “Tribute To Classics” performance at NYC’s Knitting Factory has been re-scheduled for Saturday, November 8th due to a Buckshot health issue.

Upon returning from a 3 week Europen tour Black Moon and Boot camps front man, Buckshot suffered what appears to be a series of seizures. He was immediately hospitalized where he remains in stable condition.

Buckshot’s partner and CEO of Duck Down Records, Dru Ha, stated: “While of course we are disappointed to have to reschedule a sold out show obvuously nothing takes presedent over Buckshot’s health. If he could walk out of that hospital on his own right now I know he would have been on that stage. He was truly looking forward to this night.”

Tickets for the Sept. 26th show will be honored at the rescheduled show, Saturday November 8th. Refunds also offered at point of purchase.

Get better Buck!

Ok so I missed the Soul Summit in Atlanta a couple weeks ago but heard it was really inspiring for all the artists. Everyone seemed to bond and friends got re-acquainted, new friends and new relationships built- that’s what this is about….
More upcoming events to build, politic, create bonds and meet new people and last but not least- discover great talent…

Next Friday is Soultracks Readers’ Choice Awards held in Detroit at Max Fischer Music Center. Friday, October 3rd. 3 of my artists have been nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ - April Hill, Melissa Young and Heston. There will be all kinds of performances and an after party and on Saturday there will be an All-Star Jam held at The Museum of African American History- 8PM- Unfortunately I won’t be there for that but seeing my lovely niece and nephew and brother and his wife instead. Hanging with the kids….Another on the way.. My sister in-law is pregnant again!

After Detroit it’s off to D.C for Can A Sista Roc A Mic–Oct 8-11th. This is going to be a fabulous affair with several performances and closing with an intense documentary and discussion. No! The Rape documentary. A grand finale of exceptional artists will be performing too. April Hill is on the Wednesday, October 8th w/ N’Dambi at Bohemian Caverns.

Urban Organic Anniversary back in Detroit produced by Drake Phifer. He’s going to hip me to that line up soon. Otherwise I give him hell when I see him next week in Detroit…

So with that said- the scene - the movement- the genre- call it what you will– it’s looking very healthy and will continue to grow– this is just the beginning…
So Soul Lovers— Teedra Moses tonight at SOB’s– Raphael Saadiq tomorrow night at SOB’s and Abby Dobson on Monday at Tillman’s for her birthday performance.