LiveConnections’ annual feel-good party at World Cafe Live is an evening of exceptional artistry and amazing food and drink.

(PHOTO: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15rAJHoG5qYiahlAqvncm2JfeRzx4PRht/view?usp=drivesdk)

LiveConnections, the Philadelphia-based music-making non-profit organization, is excited to announce details for their 2019 BIG HURRAH. The annual party is an evening of exceptional artistry and amazing food and drink. This year’s program, which will take place on Monday, November 18 at World Cafe Live, will spotlight the album WAKE UP EVERYBODY with collaborative performances by students from Hill-Freedman World Academy and artists Andrew Lipke, Luke Carlos O’Reilly and Kristal “Tytewriter” Oliver, plus special guests to be announced. The organization will also be presenting their 5th Annual Connector Award to Dyana Williams for exemplifying the power of connection through music.

This year’s party-with-a-purpose will celebrate WAKE UP EVERYBODY, the third album created from the partnership between Philadelphia public high school Hill-Freedman World Academy (HFWA) and LiveConnections. The collection of 21 original student songs (and a cover of the 1970’s classic title song) takes its inspiration from the mission, songs and style of Philadelphia International Records. The album is the culmination of a year-long project led by HFWA Music Technology teacher Ezechial Thurman and a team of LiveConnections teaching artists: Andrew Lipke, Kristal Oliver, Luke Carlos O’Reilly and LiveConnections Founding Director David Bradley.

Additionally, the community will come together to honor music pioneer Dyana Williams with the The Connector Award. The award honors someone who shares LiveConnections’ vision for crossing boundaries and who works to build bridges, create collaborations and fuel innovation. Williams is an award-winning radio host who has been named “The Ambassador of African-American Music.” Williams’ activism helped establish June as Black Music Month. Williams also does artist development and has provided media strategies for celebrities including Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Alessia Cara, Janelle Monae and The Zac Brown Band, among many others. A past president of the Philadelphia GRAMMY chapter for two years, she remains on the board of The Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy. She also serves on the board of the National Museum of African-American Music in Nashville, as well as on the board of visitors of her alma mater, Temple University’s Klein School of Media and Communication. Dyana has co-produced the Marian Anderson Awards at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, and has honored James Earl Jones, Jon Bon Jovi, Berry Gordy, Patti Labelle, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.

All proceeds from the BIG HURRAH benefit LiveConnections’ music education and community programs. Tickets are $100 advance / $125 day-of. Special thanks to lead sponsors Deloitte, Fox Rothschild LLP, Philly Music Fest, World Cafe Live, WRTI-FM and WXPN-FM.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here.

SERVICE DETAILS
LiveConnections Big Hurrah
Monday, November 18, 2019
5:30-9:00pm
at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia

TICKETS: $100 advance / $125 day-of (on sale 9/15)
All proceeds benefit LiveConnections’ music education & community programs.

ABOUT DYANA WILLIAMS: Dyana Williams is an award-winning radio host, currently hosting “Afternoon Delight with Dyana Williams” on Radio One Philadelphia’s Classix1079. She is also the entertainment correspondent for “Chasing News” with Bill Spadea that airs on Fox29 in Philadelphia. Named “The Ambassador of African-American Music,” Williams’ activism helped establish June as Black Music Month. Williams also does artist development and has provided media strategies for celebrities including Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Alessia Cara, Janelle Monae and The Zac Brown Band, among many others. A past president of the Philadelphia GRAMMY chapter for two years, she remains on the board of The Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy. She also serves on the board of the National Museum of African-American Music in Nashville, as well as on the board of visitors of her alma mater, Temple University’s Klein School of Media and Communication. Dyana has co-produced the Marian Anderson Awards at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, and has honored James Earl Jones, Jon Bon Jovi, Berry Gordy, Patti Labelle, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. She is the proud mother of three adult children Caliph, Isa and Princess Idia Gamble, and “Nana Dyana” to Luke Gamble.

ABOUT LIVECONNECTIONS: LiveConnections’ mission is to inspire learning and build community through collaborative music-making. LiveConnections is a nonprofit organization specializing in music education, arts accessibility and collaborative concerts. Since our founding in 2008, we have reached more than 41,000 participants through our educational Bridge Sessions and in-school residencies, and we have presented 50 concerts through our critically acclaimed LiveConnections Presents concert series.
LiveConnections believes live music is an essential part of the human experience: it fosters joy and is one of the most powerful ways to build bridges between people. LiveConnections collaborates with artists from diverse music traditions to create our unique programming. We create opportunities for audiences with limited arts access — such as youth from Philadelphia public schools and people with disabilities — to be active participants in music-making. The music we create intersects with significant social issues, amplifying marginalized voices and encouraging creative responses to our world.