(BOWIE, MARYLAND – Friday, January 8, 2016) “Bringing Color to the Classics” has been the mantra for the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA) for over twelve years in support of Black classical musicians and others in the performing arts.  Arts lovers, families, advocates, supporters, youth, and curiosity seekers will have an opportunity to see and hear the roster of talent, most of whom have been featured in opera companies, including the Washington National Opera, and on stages throughout the nation and world, at an upcoming FREE concert, "Some Enchanted Evening: A New Year's Musical Celebration" on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 7:00 pm, at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, 15200 Annapolis Road, Bowie, Maryland.

The evening’s performances include solos, duets, and ensemble pieces by sopranos Angela Renee Simpson, Angeli Ferrette, and Alia Waheed; mezzos Jihanna Davis and Yolanda Bryant; tenors Wayne Jennings and Keith Bryon Craig; baritones V. Savoy McIlwain and Marvin Lowe, as well as violinist Alexander Strahan, ensemble performances by the Heritage Signature Chorale conducted by Stanley Thurston, and youth from the Ottley Music School conducted by Nevilla Ottley.  Special musical presentations include CAAPA Youth Awardees soprano Natalee Lowe and bassoonist Mateen Milan who recently garnered scholarships from CAAPA, with narration by CAAPA Chair Pamela Simonson.  The Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening is Andrea Roane from WUSA – TV News.

CAAPA also thought it fitting and appropriate to include a special musical tribute to recently passed, Mary Nusser, who served as the center’s Community Outreach Coordinator and was instrumental in bringing CAAPA to the center two years ago with a special presentation for the Annapolis Opera and City of Bowie.  Since then, CAAPA has formed partnerships with both organizations, the latter of which, is also a sponsor for “Some Enchanted Evening”, along with the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc., and 100 Black Women of Prince George’s County. Nusser died suddenly last week. http://www.capitalgazette.com/bowie_bladenews/news/ph-ac-bb-nusser-1231-20151230-story.html

Attendees are asked to help extend the holidays and wear holiday sparkle (or not) to help usher in the New Year. A generous end-of-year anonymous donation has made it possible to offer the FREE tickets to all attendees. The donor has stipulated that any tickets already purchased be refunded and the concert be made accessible to all ages to benefit the arts. Patrons may elect to make tax deductible donations to the 501c3 arts organization at www.4caapa.org or mail checks to CAAPA, PO Box 44954, Fort Washington, MD 20744, which will benefit the organization including the scholarship program and “Opera for Fun Youth Outreach Program”.  For information about CAAPA, volunteer or become involved, contact the office number at 301-839-1444.

of classical music, presenting a wonderful array of selections, and featuring some of the region’s top African American classical musicians, along with WUSA-TV’s Andrea Roane as the Mistress of Ceremonies.--- 15 ---

(BOWIE, MARYLAND – Friday, January 8, 2016) “Bringing Color to the Classics” has been the mantra for the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA) for over twelve years in support of Black classical musicians and others in the performing arts.  Arts lovers, families, advocates, supporters, youth, and curiosity seekers will have an opportunity to see and hear the roster of talent, most of whom have been featured in opera companies, including the Washington National Opera, and on stages throughout the nation and world, at an upcoming FREE concert, "Some Enchanted Evening: A New Year's Musical Celebration" on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 7:00 pm, at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, 15200 Annapolis Road, Bowie, Maryland.

The evening’s performances include solos, duets, and ensemble pieces by sopranos Angela Renee Simpson, Angeli Ferrette, and Alia Waheed; mezzos Jihanna Davis and Yolanda Bryant; tenors Wayne Jennings and Keith Bryon Craig; baritones V. Savoy McIlwain and Marvin Lowe, as well as violinist Alexander Strahan, ensemble performances by the Heritage Signature Chorale conducted by Stanley Thurston, and youth from the Ottley Music School conducted by Nevilla Ottley.  Special musical presentations include CAAPA Youth Awardees soprano Natalee Lowe and bassoonist Mateen Milan who recently garnered scholarships from CAAPA, with narration by CAAPA Chair Pamela Simonson.  The Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening is Andrea Roane from WUSA – TV News.

CAAPA also thought it fitting and appropriate to include a special musical tribute to recently passed, Mary Nusser, who served as the center’s Community Outreach Coordinator and was instrumental in bringing CAAPA to the center two years ago with a special presentation for the Annapolis Opera and City of Bowie.  Since then, CAAPA has formed partnerships with both organizations, the latter of which, is also a sponsor for “Some Enchanted Evening”, along with the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc., and 100 Black Women of Prince George’s County. Nusser died suddenly last week. http://www.capitalgazette.com/bowie_bladenews/news/ph-ac-bb-nusser-1231-20151230-story.html

Attendees are asked to help extend the holidays and wear holiday sparkle (or not) to help usher in the New Year. A generous end-of-year anonymous donation has made it possible to offer the FREE tickets to all attendees. The donor has stipulated that any tickets already purchased be refunded and the concert be made accessible to all ages to benefit the arts. Patrons may elect to make tax deductible donations to the 501c3 arts organization at www.4caapa.org or mail checks to CAAPA, PO Box 44954, Fort Washington, MD 20744, which will benefit the organization including the scholarship program and “Opera for Fun Youth Outreach Program”.  For information about CAAPA, volunteer or become involved, contact the office number at 301-839-1444.

of classical music, presenting a wonderful array of selections, and featuring some of the region’s top African American classical musicians, along with WUSA-TV’s Andrea Roane as the Mistress of Ceremonies.--- 15 ---