Second annual concert features national recording artist Serena Young
Dare to be Different, a youth mentoring program based in Atlanta, will sponsor the Second Annual Family and Friends Concert at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Believer’s Miracle Deliverance Ministries, 207 Eagle Street, Utica. It will feature national recording artist Serena Young, the Family and Friends Community Choir and other local and national performers, comedians, singers, and inspirational speakers. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available.
People of all ages and faiths are welcome and are encouraged to bring canned goods which will be donated to the Utica Community Food Bank. Information regarding youth job training and educational programs, social development, leadership training will be offered at the event.
Dare to be Different plans to establish a program in Utica to help young people beat the odds by offering positive, empowering in-school, after-school and out-of-school programs, including character building, mentoring, peer-to-peer support, counseling, and tutoring.
A former resident of the Washington Courts public housing project, T. Michael Watson, founder of Dare to Be Different, said, “The purpose of this concert is to bring cultural awareness and a sense of unity to the citizens of Utica by bridging the gap between all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The concert will give hope to youth for a better life and show them that they have the support of adults and community groups to make their dreams come true. We want our youth to ‘Dare to be Different.’
“Our mission is to transform the thought process of youth, encouraging them to make better decisions NOW that will positively affect their future. The possibilities are endless for how ‘Dare To Be Different’ can change families, communities, and cities by changing one person’s perception of self. I want to introduce this program to the Utica area, because I believe it is a key essential to the growth and development of the community that I grew up in.”
The concert will feature the following performers:
National recording artist Serena Young has been singing gospel since an early age. This Rochester native was a top-five finalist in season seven of BET Sundays Best. Serena’s deep Gospel roots and her impeccable voice have afforded Serena the opportunity to work with Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin. Her first album was “I Surrender All.” She will be releasing a new CD in 2017.
Comedian Cuzin Maine is an Albany native who has been performing comedy professionally for 12 years. He has shared the stage with comedic greats such as Dick Gregory, Rickey Smiley and Aries Spears. He made a decision to perform clean comedy routines to prove to his family and himself that it is possible to make someone laugh without using profanity.
Other performers include: Cymil Hamilton – Master of Ceremonies; Cameron Curtis – Minister of Music; Marcelle Johnson – Music Director; Marissa Jones, Psalmist.
Information on the event can be found at the following links:
https://www.facebook.com/events/572948619561771/?ti=cl
Sponsors and supporters include Big Daddies and Central New York Citizens in Action, Inc. For more information on how to become a sponsor and supporter, please contact T. Michael Watson (347) 409- 5353 Mr.MichaelWatsonsr@gmail.com or Natasha Pearson (315) 374-7993natashasings124@gmail.com.
Please find attached photos of Serena Young and Cuzin Maine.