Carver Theater Ribbon Cutting & International Jazz Day Celebration

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The public is invited to the Carver Theater's Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and International Jazz Day celebration at 2101 Orleans Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana in the historic neighborhood of Treme' on the morning of Wednesday, April 30, 2014 beginning at 10:30 am for the official ribbon cutting by key state and local officials. International Jazz Day @ Carver Theater mid-day concert takes place in partnership with the Kidd Jordan Institute of Jazz, 504 Magazine, Cutting Edge CE, New Orleans Musicians Clinic and WWOZ 90.7 FM who will be broadcasting portions of the day's activities.

The full day celebrates the re-opening of the Carver Theater's $8 million restoration of what was during the 1950's hailed as "America's finest theater exclusively for colored patrons." Re-designed as a live performance entertainment venue primarily focus on jazz, musicals, stage plays, recitals, and off-Broadway shows; the fully renovated 16, 000-square-foot Carver Theater comfortably seats 500 guests with the ability to accommodate a greater number for non-seated performances and special events. The beamless construction and flat flooring design provides for an obstruction less view and present endless opportunities for various productions. It features a new state-of-the-art lighting and Meyer Sound system; an extraordinary breakthrough in sound technology which provides the optimal acoustical experience.

The theater's owner, Dr. Eugen Oppman says that "I am so excited we finally get a chance to draw the curtains with our first performance. It has been a long process but one in which we wanted to present a first-class facility that would compare favorably to any other live entertainment venue in the area. We brought in some of the best construction engineers and designers who specialize in theater construction projects to guide our path, along with individuals who understood complex financing in urban communities. I believe that we have achieved our goal of delivering nothing but the best and what better time than to re-open on International Jazz Day".

Built in 1950 and recognized on the National Register of Historical Places, the Carver Theater carries important historical significance as one of the first state-of-art Theater for blacks in New Orleans. Noted theater historian Rene Brunet remarked that the Carver was the "best 'colored' Theater in New Orleans and perhaps the entire South ... as good as or better than any white Theater in town."

International Jazz Day @ Carver Theater organizer Vincent Sylvain who played a major role in cultivating the concept and overseeing the construction states, "This project offers so many possibilities, while primarily a music venue, it should serve to help spur economic development in this underserved community as well as restore pride to this once vibrant corridor in the historic Treme neighborhood. This 'exclusively Negro' theater from the Jim Crow era played an important role in providing a place where human dignity was the order of the day in the lives of Black folks attending this facility for entertainment and social events. The adaptive-reuse of this theater shall forever remember that tenet in its programming."

Music consultant Eric Cager adds, "The Carver will provide a space for some many in the performing arts to commercially display that talent, that is something that has long be lacking in our community. The ability to do live recording and streaming is what will set us apart from other venues".

The free International Jazz Day @ Carver concert celebration takes place from 11:00 am – 3:30 pm featuring a number of New Orleans most prominent jazz musicians, flanked by some of the area's best jazz students which keeps with International Jazz Day's call to highlight the value of this international art form that New Orleans has given the world and reinforces the role of youth in enacting social change through jazz education. International Jazz Day @ Carver Theater features cameo performances by James Andrews, Karen Gant-Andrews, Damon Batiste, David Batiste, Lillian Boutte, Tonya Boutte, Detroit Brooks, LaTosha Brown, Davell Crawford, Deacon John, Kent Jordan, Marlon Jordan, Stephanie Jordan, BET's "Sunday Best" finalist Alexis Spight, and Yisrael Trio conducted by Dr. Lud Yisael who are donating their talents.

Participating educational programs includes Lusher Charter School Jazz Band, Neo Jazz School of Music, NOSACONN, Landry Walker Charter School Band, ReNew D.R. Batiste Cultural Arts Academy Jazz & Blues Band, and the Edward "Kidd" Jordan Institute of Jazz.

During the inaugural International Jazz Day 2012 celebration which was held locally, New Orleans' Mayor Mitch Landrieu proclaimed that "Jazz was New Orleans' gift to the world. It's a music that signs freedom. It's a music that brings people together… that promotes individuality, authenticity, and community all at the same time. Jazz has the power to transform. Jazz has the power to solve conflict. Jazz has the power to create opportunities…"

The afternoon continues with the showing of Rocking the Opera House: Dr. John (5:00 pm & 7:00 pm), a documentary by film producer Lawrence Cumbo which features New Orleans music great Dr. John. In 1998, Dr. John hosted a musical family reunion in New Orleans, where 63 musicians gathered to celebrate life and art at the former house of Louis Armstrong. Allen Toussaint, Vernel Bagneris, James Andrews, and Nick Spitzer will join Dr. John for a reflection of that memorable occasion highlighted in the film and the importance of jazz to music of all kind. Admission for this ticket event is $21.00 with portion of the proceeds benefiting the Musician's Clinic of New Orleans. Learn more about the documentary on the Smithsonian Channel at:
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/sc/web/show/3374283/rocking-the-opera-house-dr-john. For ticket information call (702) 787-8983.

The night concludes as Donald Harrison Jr, is joined by Christian Scott, a Grammy-nominated and two-time Edison Award-winning jazz trumpeter; The Bridge Trio, Joe Dyson, Max Moran, Detroit Brooks, Zaccai Curtis, Conun Papas, and The Congo Square Nation Afro - New Orleans Cultural Group for a 8:30 pm concert. This concert is a benefit for the Southern University Alumni Scholarship Fund and The Guardians Institute Book program started in 2006 which has given over 40, 000 books to the youth of New Orleans. The cost of admission is $20.

Donald grew up in a home environment saturated with the city's traditional music of brass bands, parades, modern jazz, R&B, funk, classical, world ethnic, and dance music. His connection to New Orleans roots were deepened by his father, a Big Chief in the African and Native American influenced culture of New Orleans' Black Mardi Gras Indians. The culture is an offshoot culture of Congo Square, one of the only known places in North America where Africans openly participated in their culture in the 1700's and 1800's...

In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. International Jazz Day is chaired and led by Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General, and legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.

During the inaugural International Jazz Day 2012 celebration which was help locally, New Orleans' Mayor Mitch Landrieu proclaimed that "Jazz was New Orleans' gift to the world. It's a music that sings freedom. It's a music that brings people together… that promotes individuality, authenticity, and community all at the same time.

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