GET DOWN CAMPAIGN PARTNERS WITH SUNDAE SERMON DANCE PARTY SERIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GET DOWN CAMPAIGN PARTNERS WITH SUNDAE SERMON 

DANCE PARTY SERIES

FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HIV AWARENESS MONTH EVENT

WITH HIV NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS 

FACES NY AND HARLEM UNITED

NEW YORK, February 17, 2012 – The GET DOWN Campaign announced today that it will partner with DJ Stormin’ Norman’s Sundae Sermon Dance Party Series to kick off the indoor series this Spring and raise awareness for HIV/AIDS during Black History Month. El Museo Del Barrio will be hosting Sundae Sermon as a satellite extension of their outdoor music and film festival that runs in Harlem's Morningside Park from June through September. This Winter/Spring 2012 Edition will connect families and communities through dance, leisure and artist exhibits. DJ Stormin' Norman, DJ Qool Marv and other guest dj's will be music maestros alongside live Painters, and face painting for kids. Gonzalo Casals, El Museo’s Director of Education and Public Programs comments, “We are happy to open our doors to the greater Harlem Community through this special partnership with Sundae Sermon. The kind of free programming for families that they offer aligns with El Museo’s goal and mission to make such activities accessible and meaningful for our community.” The series kicks off February 26 and continues March 25 and April 29.

 

DJ Stormin' Norman, Sundae Sermon’s founder, originally hails from East London, England, and is now a resident of Harlem. In the 90’s, he was part of a groundbreaking DJ collective who set a new precedent in national radio with the “Thunderstorm Mix” on New York’s WBLS 107.5FM. The program introduced live mixing to daytime radio, previously reserved for weekend nights broadcasted from night-clubs. For over 20 years, he's played major New York clubs, exclusive downtown spots, elite private events and world tours.  Norman also has extended his brand with Sundae Sermon Foundation, Sundae Sermon Radio and Sundae Sermon Recordings.  Most importantly, he’s committed to his community. A Harlem resident for over 15 years, Norman is passionate about constructively contributing to its current renaissance. "There are a lot of Harlemites who have to venture downtown or to other boroughs for this kind of experience,” Norman said. “Sundae Sermon lets us support and celebrate this great neighborhood and network, and invite the rest of the city to join the party," he added.

To kickoff the series and raise HIV/AIDS awareness during Black History Month, Sundae Sermon partnered with the GET DOWN HIV/AIDS awareness campaign.  GET DOWN, written, produced and directed by Kim J. Ford (Lionqueen 192 Productions, Inc.), is an edgy new HIV/AIDS PSA that candidly portrays sexually active youth of various sexual identities who are experimenting with multiple sexual partners and the consequences they deal with as a result.  GET DOWN uses multimedia program, that utilizes viral short form content, education (in schools and extra curricular arts education), social media, blogging and - launching in 2012  - youth oriented radio, in order to educate at-risk youth about HIV, AIDS, sexual behavior and safe sex.  “I’ve wanted to work with DJ Stormin Norman for a while”, says Kim J. Ford.  “Sundae Sermon’s socially conscious, community oriented dance parties are the right platform for GET DOWN to spread awareness.  We are proud to partner with DJ Stormin Norman on our first foray into events”.  The event will be hosted by Forces of Nature Dance Theater Ensemble, and will feature live painting, kids face painting and goodie bags, which were coordinated by New York marketing entrepreneur Anita Bryant of A-Marketing and GET DOWN.  The special kickoff event, will also serve as an Aids Walk Fundraiser kickoff for FACES NY and Harlem United, two Harlem based non-profit organizations, who will be on-site to accept voluntary donations. Harlem United will conduct private HIV testing on site.  Sundae Sermon is brought to you by Harlem Community Development Corporation, Experience Harlem, Harlem Parks to Parks, Bikram Yoga East Harlem and Sundae Sermon Radio.

 

The Sundae Sermon indoor series schedule is as follows:

FEBRUARY INDOOR SERIES KICKOFF 2/26

African American HIV/AIDS Awareness Month

GET DOWN Campaign, FACES NY, Harlem United

Aids Walk Donations To Charities

 MARCH NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH 3/25

Guest Female DJs, Music Influenced By Women

 APRIL CELEBRATING JEAN MICHEL BASQUIAT 4/29

Traveling Exhibit, Five Harlem Artist Pay Tribute

Live Painting