Artists for Creative Theatre Presents 2009 Holiday Networking Mixer

2009 has been an amazing year for me and as we slowly creep into the last days of this year I can't help but look back and reflect on all that has happened. With that in mind my last blogs of the year will be dedicated to reflecting on all that I've done, seen, and heard. Since I didn't have time to actually blog about what was happening while it was occurring I figure a blogmoir (of sorts) would be just as good if not better cause this way you don't have to read through the boring parts. So stay tuned as I back track over the 365 days of 2009.

Before I get all misty eyed reflecting upon all of the crazy amazing events of these years. Those who have received national media attention, but most importantly those who have just happened in my life and very few people know about but are still just as relevant. I want to focus on the last 17 days of this year.

Yes there's a lot of Christmas shopping left to do, or in my case there's a lot of shopping left to start, and although I can't wait to get my bargain hunting on, this year for me the most important thing is the time that I will get to spend with my friends and family. I know that to many that sounds like some sappy Rockwell all-American Christmas jargon but now more than ever (as the economy yo-yos between collapse and recovery, and the audacity of hope and change begins to wain under the reality of business as usual, when so many of us have lost loved ones to tragedy or just the inevitable reality of the end) it is necessary to focus on the things that are really important and truly matter, genuine human connection and contact.

Its for this reason that there is one event that I'm officially looking forward to more than anything else, even more than Christmas and New Years. In 2009, I officially became the Artistic Director of Artists for Creative Theatre (ACT) a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing professional theatrical training to young adults from low-income communities. ACT's official launch will be taking place this upcoming Saturday, December 19th at the Rebel Diaz Arts Collective starting at 8pm.

We are having some of the most talented up-and-coming artists in New York City mixing and mingling under one roof. With funny man Chris Diaz hosting the evening, and performances by Omarvelus, Hiz and Herz Entertainment, and Earthchild. As well as special reading and book signing of the Next Stop by Ivan Sanchez. My friend and editor extraordinaire, Sulay Hernandez, was nice enough to donate copies of the book so those who come for the reading will get a complimentary copy of the book personalized by the author.

With sponsors like Nike, Island Def Jam, XXL Magazine, Urban Latino, El Presidente Media & Marketing, SRC Universal, Latinos NYC, Hiz and Herz Entertainment, Touchstone, Circa 95, Pop Corn Records, and more this is sure to be a memorable evening. We will be doing silent auctions of one-of-a-kind gift bags packed with exclusive merchandise from our top sponsors. There will be drink specials like $4 nutcrackers and $1 beers. We will also raffling off various items, and doing free give-a-ways.

So on Saturday, December 19th treat yourself to a lovely evening of good drinks, snacks, great music, and some of the most talented and amazing people that you will meet in New York City. RSVP today at ACTIncTickets@gmail.com

For more information on this event or ACT's 2010 season please visit www.artistsforcreativetheatre.org or contact me directly.

P.S.---Don't forget your business cards.

Its been a while, but I'm back, and so is 50 Cent.

Okay, so its officially been more than two years since my last blog. The few that will read this blog are probably wondering what's up with that? Is she a procrastinator? Is she unreliable? Or just plain old lazy? Or has she been working her butt off to keep a roof over her head? I would say its probably a little bit of all those things and much more.

Now lets not dwell in past inconsistencies and lack of follow-through and look towards the future, not too far into the future, I may be good at reading people but I'm no psychic. I can however predict what's going to happen on September 8, 2009. As a matter of fact, just to show you how amazing the digital revolution really is, I have a direct link to the future all you have to do is click: http://www.amazon.com/50th-Law-50-Cent/dp/006177460X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247590207&sr=1-1

Yes folks, its true 50 Cent, drug dealer turned rapper turned actor is now officially an author. I have to whole-heartily admit that at first I was totally taken a back at the thought of reading a book written by 50 Cent. I was straight up like hell-no I'm not reading that if its anything like his albums or videos on YouTube he's going to just talking about a bunch of "beef" he has with a bunch of other rappers who keep talking about their "bling" and going off in random tangents and other masturbatory rants. However, and I can't believe that I'm actually typing this, once I read the introduction I was totally taken aback. There is non of the usual 50 bravado, instead what is held between the pages of the book (which looks very much like a bible) is some extremely profound, yet accessible wisdom.

The 50th Law, co-written with Robert Greene, from the The 48 Laws of Power fame, is an honest and bold exploration on what it takes to be successful. Without giving too much of the book away I will say that personally this book has helped me change the way I see at my role at work. I am now more focused than ever at achieving my goals and staying focused on my chosen career path. But, and this is what I feel is most important, it has made me more confident, it has opened my eyes to the endless possibilities before me as long as I don't let fear cloud my judgment and decision making.

I highly recommend this book to anyone whose looking for a way to get to that next step. Whatever that step maybe in your journey. Robert Greene does a great job of moving past 50's persona and getting down to the real deal, to the struggle of trying to make something out of nothing. And how anyone can go from growing up in a poor neighborhood to running their own company with enough hard work, perseverance, and the fiftieth law.