Tag Archives: We Are The Drum – We Are The World

Calling All Civil Rights Leaders Past & Present in Milwaukee

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Between 1958 and 1970, a distinctive movement for racial justice emerged from unique circumstances in Milwaukee. A series of local leaders inspired growing numbers of people to participate in campaigns….

Calling All Civil Rights Leaders in Milwaukee

“We Are The Drum – A Rhythm In Wisconsin” – 2012

Since 1990, CAPITA Productions (City At Peace In The Arts) founded by Brother Booker Ashe and others has been presenting a Black History Program yearly for thousands in the Greater Milwaukee Area. 

This year we are adding a very special and overdue segment which will celebrate those brave marchers and demonstrators, from all backgrounds, who risked their lives for the cause of civil rights, especially in Milwaukee. It will be a dramatic reenactment of the Underground Railroad, prominent in the Waukesha area; the escaped slave Joshua Grover, and Fr. Jim Groppi’s “March on Milwaukee”.

For 200 consecutive nights hundreds marched for open housing through rain, snow and fear of physical attacks. These heroes have not been properly honored until now. Their stories should be known by our youth as well as everyone in Milwaukee and across the nation.

We are calling on those who lived this experience to share their stories with us in special listening sessions on Tuesday, November 15th and Wednesday November 16th from 5 pm to 8 pm and again November 19th from 10 am to 1 pm. We will meet at North Division Room #102, 1011 West Center Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

We are looking for all those who participated in the demonstrations, served on the NAACP Youth Council, Commandos, and all organizations that led or joined in some way, the historic Milwaukee’s Civil Rights Movement.

If you are interested in attending and would like more information please call 414-397-8661 or email arsmusic00@aol.com. (zero, zero). Otherwise we would love to see you at the meetings. Please share this announcement with everyone. We want to make sure we honor and thank you for your courage and brave acts that moved Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the nation so powerfully.

Thank you,

CAPITA Productions

An excerpt taken from

The Selma of the North:

Civil Rights Insurgency in Milwaukee

Patrick D Jones

Between 1958 and 1970, a distinctive movement for racial justice emerged from unique circumstances in Milwaukee. A series of local leaders inspired growing numbers of people to participate in campaigns against employment and housing discrimination, segregated public schools, the membership of public officials in discriminatory organizations, welfare cuts, and police brutality.

The Milwaukee movement culminated in the dramatic—and sometimes violent—1967 open housing campaign. A white Catholic priest, James Groppi, led the NAACP Youth Council and Commandos in a militant struggle that lasted for 200 consecutive nights and provoked the ire of thousands of white residents. After working-class mobs attacked demonstrators, some called Milwaukee “the Selma of the North.” Others believed the housing campaign represented the last stand for a nonviolent, interracial, church-based movement.

“We Are The Drum – A Rhythm In Wisconsin” – 2012 Show Dates:

 

Public Shows:

Fri, Feb. 24th, Sat., Feb. 25th, Fri. Mar. 3rd & Sat., Mar. 4th at 7:30 pm-

Tickets will go on sale on Dec. 1st

Student Shows:

The dates are: Tues. Feb.21st, Wed, Feb. 22nd, Mon., Feb.27th

 & Wed. Feb. 29th at 10am & 12 pm. tickets are $4 per child.

For more info on the student shows, call Liz Coleman- 414-807-7322

You can find more about CAPITA by visiting us on our Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/pages/Capita-Productions

or Twitter @CAPITAProd

Press Release: We Are Drum Has Added 5 More Shows

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Frank Gatson, Jr., Choreographer to the “Stars” returns home to give back to the Milwaukee community and youth.

Frank Gatson, Jr., has extended the We Are the Drum, We Are the World – Michael Jackson tribute adding 5 more shows!

Milwaukee, WI (March 2, 2010) – Frank Gatson, Jr. has extended the run with CAPITA Productions (City At Peace In The Arts) to choreograph and direct a musical tribute to Michael Jackson with his We Are the Drum, We Are The World production.

After 4 sold out shows last weekend, highlighting Chris (“Kriyss”) Brown, Michael Jackson’s personal dancer for his “This Is It Tour”, Frank Gatson, Jr. and CAPITA Productions will again deliver an exhilarating tribute to the Milwaukee community giving approximately 100 adults and children a chance to shine. “If you share the light, you sparkle brighter”, says Frank. “These kids know I’m real and I’m giving back”, He continued.

With over thirty years of experience as a director and choreographer, Frank Gatson, Jr. began his journey choreographing and directing step shows, pageants and productions such as the WIZ for his high school alma mater, North Division High School located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a professional director and choreographer, he has worked with artists including Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Destiny’s Child, Backstreet Boys, Maxwell, EnVogue, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey. He has won coveted MTV and VMA awards including his latest VMA win for Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”.

Five shows have been added, Friday, March 5th, through Sunday, March 7th. Midway through the show to its end, keeps the audience on their feet with the show-stopping, exhilarating and moving tribute to Michael Jackson using the entire cast of singers, dancers and a narrator. Combined with special effects, the lighting and sound technicians, staging and costumes, give the audience a feel of magic, “Something I’ve never experienced”, says Nzingha Thompson, Miss Black Wisconsin. “I think Michael Jackson left his soul of dance to Chris (Kriyss) Brown. He’s magical”, says Frank.

Frank’s belief in the ability of young people to pursue their dreams and the power of the arts to transform lives, led him to ask his friends in the business to help with this project. Beyonce sent in her robot costumes used by dancers in her 2010 Grammy performance and donated $10,000 to help the production which will cost well over several hundred thousand dollars.

The extended show dates are: Friday, March 5th @ 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 6th @ 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday, March 7th @ 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased using PayPal at http://www.capitaproductions.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the North Division High School Campus – 1011 West Center Street – Milwaukee, WI beginning today, Tuesday, March 2nd from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, 10 to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 6th and Sunday, March 7th – 10 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for balcony and $20 for orchestra and floor seats. All seating is general admission by section.

Tax deductible donations can be made to CAPITA productions, Inc., 1608 West Shore Drive, Delafield, WI – 53018.

For more information, please contact Jill Wallace, (414) 551-3435 or wallacejill@hotmail.com.

We Are The Drum: Celebrity Silent Auction Items Available

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The We Are The Drum, We Are The World performance is featuring a unique silent auction as part of the show. There are numerous celebrity items that are available for bid during each show. We were told that the plan is for the auction to take place at each performance. Out advice… get there Friday (opening evening) to see (and bid) all the great items and take something home with you. This may never happen again in Milwaukee so this is your opportunity.

The silent auction begins Friday, February 26th at  7:30 pm, Saturday (2/27)  7:30 pm and Sunday (2/28) 4:00 pm. Winners will be identified at the end of the show on Sunday and there are items available for direct sale at each performance.

Available Items Include The Following:

  • Singer/Actor Beyonce Tour Pants – $350 bidding starts
  • Singer/Actor Tyrese Tour Suit -$350 bidding starts
  • Singer/Actor Beyonce Performance Items, Trumpet $500 bidding starts
  • Singer/Actor Beyonce Performance Items Silver/Chrome Mask $500 bidding starts
  • Show posters $50.00 signed $100.00
  • Show souvenir books/program $50.00 signed $100.00
  • Laminates which are backstage access cards worn by Frank Gatson Jr. and other stars $25.00 each
  • And much, much more…