Tribute Music Concerts
From Ancient Roots to New Beginnings
Ezibu Muntu, Dance, Education, Culture is the home of Ezibu Muntu African Dance Company, the iconic dance company of Richmond Virginia for forty-six years. In 2018, Ezibu Muntu arrived at a juncture in their sterling career that the 78-member company has extended its artistic reach into education, theater, music and art, and is now also known as EM Productions.
EM Productions first music fundraiser, the “Tribute to Love and Legends” Concert, has received a generous $10,000 donation from the Ukrop Foundation and $30,000 from the Carpenter Foundation for the concert which will be held at the Carpenter Theater on Saturday, July 18th 2020. We are currently seeking additional sponsors to complete the $85,000 budget. Based upon discussions, we believe Dominion Power will be next to come onboard. Dominion Power currently donates to Ezibu’s annual gala and has met with us regarding sponsoring the concert
The Mayor’s office assisted us in securing the Carpenter Theater, by introducing us to SMG Facilities Manager Dolly Vogt. Ms. Vogt has been instrumental in assisting us with this concert and in securing the Carpenter. Sponsors please contact us at 323-490-6127 for a breakdown of cost and expenses.
The Carpenter Theater seats 1,800. Although we anticipate 100% sell-out, even at 50% capacity, the concert series will be a profit generating event with proceeds going towards our building fund.. Please see “The Plan” for more information.
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Ezibu Muntu fills a void in the Richmond community. The Company, always the torch bearer of African culture has the responsibility to provide even more access to African American art and history from an authentic point of view. Who better to tell “our” story and express “our” history then us!
African Americans have a rich culture that is embedded in Americana. Jackson Ward was once known as “The Harlem Renaissance of the South.” Ezibu’s mission is to restore that cultural flavor back into Richmond’s artistic community, while instilling pride and knowledge with our youth community.
The long-term agenda connected with “Tribute to Love and Legends” has been addressed in our previous outreach to the City which is the development of an event center in the heart, or near Jackson Ward or Shockoe Bottom. We are currently in seeking a property between 5,000 – 15,000 sq. feet.
Marketing strategy would heavily highlight that the “Tribute to Love and Legends is a fundraiser to establish a black arts cultural and community center in the city of Richmond and that all contributions are a tax write-off to the participant. To engender a festival atmosphere, there will be interactive activities occurring during the concert (dancers, video, etc.), with arts, clothing and craft vendors in the lobby selling or displaying African-American and African items and artwork.
Now that we have the Mayor’s, the Ukrop and Carpenter Foundation and SMG Dolly Vogt’s support for the “Tribute to Love and Legends Concert we look forward to speaking to you further regarding this exciting project.
ARTIST LINEUP FOR 2020 VENUE
The talent:
- Jammin’ Jay Lamont, MC and Comedian
- Jeffrey Osborne, Headliner – Tribute to Love
- Nia Simmons, local vocalist – Tribute to Aretha Franklin
- Gary Walker – Tribute to Stevie Wonder
- Jerel Crockett – Tribute to Luther Vandross
Ways to Support Ezibu Muntu
Ezibu Muntu Cultural and Educational Center has been a vital force in communities since 1973. Throughout the country, our traditional African and African American dance concerts have opened a world of discoveries about movement, culture, heritage and style. They depict timeless stories about what is important to us through language that everyone can understand.
Muntu means “Essence of Humanity”. We see no limits to what the human spirit can accomplish, nor boundaries between our artists and the communities where we perform. Dance is simply our way of connecting, communicating, and committing to the people with whom we share experiences and expertise.
- Ezibu Muntu needs volunteers with sewing skills to create costumes. Patterns are available. Having a sewing machine is necessary.
- The Company needs bolts of fabric, feathers, bells, leather, beads and masks. Wearable African masks are a plus. If you have that talent please contact us.
- Church – Corporation – Bus Company Alert! The Company will be performing in Durham North Carolina January 1st and Washington D. C. (December 26, 2016) and need a bus and driver for safe delivery to and from these upcoming events.
- IMPORTANT! We need community support to purchase and restore The Sharon Baptist church. The Leigh Street Event Center will be the gem of Jackson Ward. Please share the good work that we do. – Namaste
THE TRIBUTE MUSIC CONCERT
Healing Communities, Healing ourselves
Ezibu Muntu will expand its artistic reach by offering additional cultural arts and education to the community and the country. With Alumni Theater Director Nan Nelson-Ewing and General Manager Tanya Dennis, three new divisions have emerge; education, theater and music arts.
With 47 years of building self-esteem and knowledge of self in African American children, Ezibu Muntu’s theater division will serve as an additional tool to engage our youth and adult community in positive, supportive and nurturing programs. Our education division will offer African Principles and American Values training, African History, Nutrition, and Parenting Classes.
Ezibu Muntu Productions is committed to teaching financial literacy from elementary to adult level. Financial literacy, a critical component for survival in America’s economy is sorely missing within the African-American community, and a deficit exists within our general educational institutions. The Event Center, once completed, will offer free financial classes to children and adults.
Classes * Workshops * Seminars * Banquets * Receptions * Youth Programs * Theater * Dance * Music
RICHMOND COMMUNITY,
PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY TO EZIBU MUNTU’S MAJOR FUNDRAISERS:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ezibu Muntu concerts, performances, and classes have been postponed until further notice. “Tribute to Love and Legends” featuring the legendary Jeffrey Osborne has been postponed until next summer, Saturday, July 24, 2021.
“TRIBUTE TO LOVE AND LEGENDS”
Saturday, July 24, 2021
Carpenter Theater
7:00 – 10:30
EZIBU MUNTU’S 47TH ANNUAL SUMMER CONCERT
Glen Allen Cultural Center
TBA
Children’s Performance
TBA
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS:
DIAMOND BENEFACTOR $50,000
$43,620 Tax Deductible
“Above the Title” company name or logo listed as “Presenting Sponsor” and featured in:
Event webpage with link to your company’s site
Formal program distributed to guests at the event
Sponsorship video promoting your company during the event
Onsite logo posters displayed
Event coverage after the event in video to be marketed to cable networks
Press releases and feature submitted to local, regional print and electronic media
Company name printed on ETIX tickets (Gala Guests/ General On-Sale Tickets)
Full page advertisement in event program
30 Complimentary tickets to the Gala
16 Complimentary tickets to the concert
8 Complimentary parking tickets
GOLD SUPPORTERS $25,000
$20,780 Tax Deductible
“Below the Title” Company name or logo will be listed as “Supporting Sponsor” and featured in:
Event webpage with link to your company’s site
Formal program distributed to guests at the event
Sponsorship PowerPoint promoting your company during the event
Onsite logo posters displayed
Event Coverage after the event in video to be marketed to cable networks
Press Releases and features submitted to local, regional print & electronic media
½ page advertisement in program
20 Complimentary tickets to the Gala
10 Complimentary tickets to the concert
5 Complimentary parking passes
BRONZE PROMOTERS $15,000
$12,270 Tax Deductible
“Below the Title” Company name or logo will be listed as “Supporting Sponsor” and featured in:
Event webpage with link to your company’s site
Formal program distributed to guests at the event
Sponsorship PowerPoint promoting your company during the event
Onsite logo posters displayed
Event Coverage after the event in video to be marketed to cable networks
Press Releases and features submitted to local, regional print & electronic media
½ page advertisement in program
12 Complimentary tickets to the Gala
8 Complimentary tickets to the concert
4 Complimentary parking passes
SILVER SPONSORS $10,000
$8,140 Tax Deductible
“Below the Title” Company name or logo will be listed as “Supporting Sponsor” and featured in:
Event webpage with link to your company’s site
Formal program distributed to guests at the event
Sponsorship PowerPoint promoting your company during the event
Onsite logo posters displayed
Event Coverage after the event in video to be marketed to cable networks
Press Releases and features submitted to local, regional print & electronic media
1/4 page advertisement in program
8 Complimentary tickets to the Gala
6 Complimentary tickets to the Concert
3 Complimentary parking passes
COPPER FRIENDS $5,000
$3,450 Tax Deductible
“Below the Title” Company name or logo will be listed as “Supporting Sponsor” and featured in:
Event webpage with link to your company’s site
Formal program distributed to guests at the event
Sponsorship PowerPoint promoting your company during the event
Onsite logo posters displayed
Event Coverage after the event in video to be marketed to cable networks
Press Releases and features submitted to local, regional print & electronic media
1/8 page advertisement in program
6 Complimentary tickets to the Gala
4 Complimentary tickets to concert
2 Complimentary parking passes
FRIENDS OF EZIBU MUNTU $2,500
$1,260 Tax Deductible
“Below the Title” Company name or logo will be listed as “Supporting Sponsor” and featured in:
Event webpage with link to your company’s site
Formal program distributed to guests at the event
Sponsorship PowerPoint promoting your company during the event
Onsite logo posters displayed
Event Coverage after the event in video to be marketed to cable networks
Press Releases and features submitted to local, regional print & electronic media
½ page advertisement in program
4 Complimentary tickets to the Gala
2 Complimentary tickets to the Concert
1 Complimentary parking passes
DRUM CIRCLE CONTRIBUTORS $1,000
$680 Tax Deductible
“Below the Title” Company name or logo will be listed as “Supporting Sponsor” and featured in:
Event webpage with link to your company’s site
Formal program distributed to guests at the event
Sponsorship PowerPoint promoting your company during the event
Onsite logo posters displayed
Event Coverage after the event in video to be marketed to cable networks
Press Releases and features submitted to local, regional print & electronic media
½ page advertisement in program
2 Complimentary tickets to the Gala
1 Complimentary parking pass
Please call Founder Tanya Dennis @ 323-490-6127 regarding Sponsor perks
For more information contact: Tanya Dennis, Founder at 323-490-6127 or Renee Knight, Executive Director at 804-687-6584
Grant details available upon request
GIFTS for EZIBU MUNTU
If you wish to mail your 501(c)3 tax deductible gift, please send it to:
Ezibu Muntu
6503 Old Warwick Rd.
Richmond, VA 23225
Ezibu’s dynamic performances, classes, and unique community collaborations are possible because of generous donors like you. A donation to our Foundation helps Ezibu share the wonder and excitement of African dance with students and the community. Your support also provides dance and drum scholarships for students.
Volunteer with Ezibu
Share your love for performing arts by volunteering with Ezibu Muntu. We need help with administrative and programmatic initiatives. If you would like to help click here.