Voices Remember...
a truly UNFORGETTABLE ALZ charity event   
   An UPBEAT NEWS exclusive with story and photos by Barry M. Gould*

 What if you could create an event, pairing some of the most respected names on Broadway and Daytime TV today with almost a dozen top US voiceover artists? Now imagine the venue for this eclectic vocal and musical mix was not some New York City nightclub or theatre stage, but the informal, bistro-style living room of a broadcasting industry CEO!  The result would be undeniably chic and no doubt entertaining. 

That was just the scene on April 28, 2008 when noted voiceover artist, voiceover coach and author Joan Baker of Push Creative Advertising, Inc. (www.pushcreative.tv) teamed up with Ron Pobuda, President of National Audio and Video in cooperation with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids to produce “Voices Remember – an intimate Musical Cabaret.” 

Patrons socialized, gathered around a grand piano ensconced in a corner of one room, positioned against a full-length glass-walled balcony in a luxury hi-rise overlooking Central Park South.   

Pianist Matthew Doebler accompanied the performers which, using only the piano and a wireless microphone, transformed the living space into an intimate cabaret which spotlighted the talents of performers from stage and screen alike.  In fact, it was not uncommon to be having a great conversation with someone, and only moments later, found them “center-stage” and about to perform for the rest of us. 

Appearing that evening were legendary jazz singer Phoebe Snow, Daphne Rubin-Vega from the original cast of RENT, nationally-known singer Larita Gaskins, Former Miss Louisiana and renowned vocalist Nita Whitaker, Judine Somerville from the original cast of HAIRSPRAY, Bobbie Eakes who plays Krystal Carey from ABC-TVs daytime soap All My Children, Jonathan Rayson from Broadway's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and Kevin Spirtas, who plays Dr. Craig Wesley on ABC-TV soap Days of our Lives.  

Each act was introduced by top voiceover artists who made their mark in the industry and are regularly heard in movie trailers, on top radio and TV programs, and in nationally run commercials.  Don LaFontaine, Valerie Smaldone, Joe Cipriano, Les Marshak, Rodd Houston, and Bill Ratner would first reveal themselves by voicing their signature phrase, like Don LaFontaine’s movie trailers ("In a world of the unknown, one man...") and most recently featured in GEICO ads, then introduce the next performer. 

In all, 8 performers, including a quartette, entertained patrons as they savored fine food and drink; the star-studded April skies a fitting backdrop as the night progressed.

Joan Baker, as author of Secrets of Voiceover Success, and voice of animated TV character Alison Maybury in the popular interactive game Grand Theft Auto IV, emceed the event and kept the “beautiful people” laughing as she would call up over half of the 18 voiceover artists whom she interviewed in writing her book, which has become a tremendously popular primer for those seeking to become voiceover artists. 

Proceeds from Baker’s book as well as the voiceover workshops she teaches through The Learning Annex are donated to the Alzheimer’s Association as a loving memorial to her father, who was afflicted and eventually succumbed to the debilitating disease.  The book, she writes, is dedicated “to provide a voice for those who can no longer speak for themselves.” 

Alzheimer’s, the most prevalent form of dementia, affects more than 5 million Americans so much so, that according to recent statistics, it afflicts someone every 71 seconds.  The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading health organization that provides reliable information and care consultation, implements supportive services for families increased funding for dementia research and influences public policy changes.

Six hours later, as the night wound-down and guests made their way to the door, well-fed and equally well-entertained, they received a gift bag of CDs, books and the like; souvenirs of a truly fantastic night.  The pre-event publicity in print and on radio as well as the event itself, brought much-needed awareness about Alzheimer’s to the public view and was a great kick-off for what is hoped to be a tradition to be carried on for many, many years to come.           

For more about Alzheimer’s log onto www.actionalz.org, for more about Joan Baker and Secrets of Voiceover Success, log onto www.secretsofvosuccess.com

FOR MORE ABOUT "VOICES REMEMBER"
including PHOTOS of the event...
 CLICK HERE!

*Note: Photo of Joan Baker courtesy of Push Creative TV, NYC
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PISCATAWAY
STREET FAIR
 B I G G E R THAN EVER!

The 17th Annual Piscataway Street Fair went off on May 10th without a drop of rain, despite the deluge only 18 hours beforehand.  The skies were cloudy, yet bright as people from Piscataway and neighboring towns wound their way past displays and booths touting the area's crafters, businesses and nonprofit organizations.  There were dancers, singers, entertainment galore and it was impossible not to find someone with a pretzel, or a hot cheesesteaks from the local Boy Scout troop; or some other tasty treat in hand.  The DJ emceed and provided upbeat dance music as the day progressed, it seemed to thrive even more as people who normally attend the rain-or-shine event to make sure they would not get caught in the heavy rains earlier that week.  

Even UPBEAT NEWS was represented with a booth and had a chance to greet fairgoers and get a chance to query them about their ideas and ideas. 

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