FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2006
Bonita Buford
marketing@aacc-charlotte.org
Afro-American Cultural Center
www.aacc-charlotte.org
704.374.1565 ext 30

Much To Celebrate: Jazz Singer Nnenna Freelon Joins AACC's Annual Jazzy Holiday Fundraiser

Charlotte, NC - If the Queen of Soul admonishes you to check out five-time GRAMMY(r) nominee Nnenna Freelon, as Aretha Franklin recently did, then you should.  The Afro-American Cultural Center (AACC) will present Ms. Freelon in concert on Friday, December 8, 2006 at 8:00 pm at CPCC's new Halton Theater.  Freelon's performance is part two of the Center's annual Jazzy Holiday Celebration - its largest annual fundraiser. 

The Simply Jazzy! Luncheon, part one of the December 8th celebration, will be held at the Marriott Charlotte City Center Hotel at Trade & Tryon streets Uptown.  Doors open at 11:30 am.  The one- our program will start promptly at noon.

"The luncheon has been a delightful experience for more than twenty-five years;" says Afro-American Cultural Center Board Member, DeAlva Glenn, "... full of entertainment, goodwill and spirited fun for the Charlotte community."  Glenn, who chairs this year's Jazzy Holiday planning committee, adds that the luncheon will provide more insight into AACC's place among the cultural arts movement in Charlotte.  Guests will also get a glimpse of the Center's new facility.  "We're not only celebrating the Center and its programming as it exists today, but our future," says Glenn.

Traditionally, AACC bestows three Spirit of the Center Awards at the luncheon.  This year's recipients are Wachovia Corporation, which was selected as the Spirit of the Center awardee for Corporate Support and Nnenna Freelon for the Arts.  The honoree for Community Contributions will be announced at the luncheon.  

"We are also excited about extending the celebration to a Friday evening concert with Nnenna," Glenn adds.  Freelon, who recently released Blueprint of a Lady - Sketches of Billie Holiday, decided to emulate Holiday's spirit rather than attempt to capture "Lady Day's" sound on her new CD.  The project was recorded to coincide with the 90th anniversary of Holiday's birth. 

"Billie Holiday really sang what she had to say in her own way," says Freelon. "That's one of the things that was so impressive about her; she was a survivor, and had an absolutely brilliant, innovative concept of her own."

Individual tickets for the Center's annual luncheon are $75; however, guests can sponsor tables of ten for $1,250 - $25,000.  Corporate Sponsor benefits include several tickets to the concert.  Concert-only tickets are $25 - $60. Discounted luncheon and concert packages are available.

"As we continue our important work and prepare for our much anticipated move to the new Wachovia Cultural Arts complex in 2008, we need the community's support," concludes Board Member Glenn. 

###