To: Whom it may concern

 

Artspectrum is a multidisciplinary 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt corporation based in the metropolitan Detroit, Michigan area. Since our incorporation we have presented dance, music, film/video, and theater-related projects.  Our mission is to produce, present, develop, and educate the public in our stated areas of expertise. We contact you now because of a special project planned for August 24, 25, and 26, 2007.

 

The weekend project presents live music, an open forum, a film documentary, dance classes, dance performances, and, last but not least, a chance to talk to and learn from legendary performers like Norma Miller, Chester Whitmore and others. The 11^th Motor City Jam is an event not to be missed.

 

As you know, funding for the arts has been much less during the last few years. As a non-profit, we must look for ways to bring our product to our audience. To that end, we ask for your support either in cash or in-kind though grants, helping with attendance / selling tickets and passing this same information on to other groups and individuals who might be interested.

 

This year’s event has been combined with the 5^th American Open to bring Club Ballroom, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, tap dance and some specific social dance history to the public. The weekend, to be held at the Doubletree Hotel, 5801 Southfield Rd., Detroit, MI 48228, features:

 

Norma Miller, a member of the Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers dance group. From the start she was a very creative dancer with her own often comic style and she possessed an outstanding sense of rhythm. A vivacious and outspoken person, she has become a noted author and documentarian. She danced in movies, on Broadway, in Las Vegas, London, Paris, Australia, and Brazil.  She was inducted into the Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2003. Her story is the story of the African American influence in American social dance and music.

 

Chester Whitmore,  is a unique performer and stage personality. He unifies talents of many kinds, starting as a master in Karate, a highly renowned Drummer, Arranger and Composer/Songwriter.  He is a high speed and tricky breaks tap dancer, a choreographer for fight scenes in Hollywood films, a stuntman himself, and film producer. He trained Halle Berry for “Catwoman” and was voted a Living Legend at the 2005 Conference of Black Dance Companies.

 

Please partner with us through your support and participation in one or more of the following ways to bring this dynamic cultural and educational event to the Motor City:

· Present our request to your organization as soon as possible;

· Donate a monetary gift in the amount of $50 to $100 or more to support student scholarship for attendance at the workshops;

· Appoint a contact person from your organization to discuss attendance and coordinate ticket sales;

· Encourage support and participation for this cultural and educational event with the individuals and organizations you know..

 

Thank you in advance for considering our request for support.  We ask that you respond by March 15, 2007. One of our goals is to have our contacts in place by April 1, 2007.  Please contact Lillie Carter at lintonal@comcast.net or write her at 1145 Wendy Ct., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 with your reply. Visit our website at http://artspectrum.org or call (313)790-2311 for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Frances Brockington                   Paulette Brockington                    Lillie Carter

Board President                                        Motor City Jam Event Director                   Motor City Jam Development Committee Chair

A not-for-profit 501©(3) corporation