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IPAFA’S MARRIAGE OF EXCELLENCE CONCERT SERIES
IS AN INTERNATIONAL FIRST
Inaugural Concerts to Bring Awareness and Raise Funds for the
Paralympic Movement and the Sichuan Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund
Wuhan, Shenzhen and Guangzhou
August 30, 2008 – September 7, 2008
Beijing, China (August 17, 2008)–-International Performing Arts for All (IPAFA™) and their Chinese
partners, Who’s Who Culture Industry Group, announced their “Marriage of Excellence Concert Tour”
which is taking place this summer in China. Sponsored by Samsung Electronics, the tour will kick off
with a live taping by CCTV on August 26 before traveling to Wuhan, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
For the past twelve years IPAFA and its sister company Elitha Peterson Productions have worked with
various Olympic and Paralympic National Committees to bring artists closer to a movement which
fosters cross cultural understanding. This year IPAFA brings international artists together in support of
artists living with physical disabilities. These concerts provide a bridge between the Games to the
Paralympic Movement. It aims to improve the quality of exposure for those artists (athletes) who have
demonstrated excellence but have not been given equal access to television and live audiences.
The Marriage of Excellence is the beginning of a long-term vision. This vision promotes a world in
which we see excellence in all groups. This series focuses on people living with physical disabilities,
dispels stereotypes, and brings into sharper focus the excellence that exists within all cultures.
Western and Eastern stars take to the stage seamlessly integrated with artists living with disabilities.
These unique musical and cultural shows will deliver the highest quality entertainment performances
with artists such as Sheila E. Kat Dyson, Rhonda Smith, Evelyn Glennie, Denise Leigh, the Oliver
Jones Trio, Coach Matlawe, Justin Hines and Kitorah. Special taped messages from Celine Dion, Dee
Dee Bridgewater, Taylor Dane, and Itzhak Perlman will be included in the show.
“This is where the Olympics and the Paralympics meet on the world-stage, through the Arts,” says
Sylvia Sweeney, President of IPAFA and former Olympian. “A rare moment is about to occur as this is
first-time these artists are appearing together to showcase international excellence.”
• The Arts has always been an integral part of the Olympic movement.
• IPAFA is the Official Supplier of Arts and Entertainment to the Canadian Paralympic
Committee.
• IPAFA has been actively working to build a bridge between the Olympic and Paralympic
Games
• There is a 10 day period in between these Games which IPAFA is using to demonstrate the
power of the Arts in fostering cross cultural understanding
• There is only one event that the entire world watches together, and that is the Olympic and
Paralympic Games
• There will be only one place that the entire world can witness the best in each culture and that
will be during this bridging period between the Games
2
• The Marriage of Excellence Concert Tour sponsored by Samsung brings the cultures of great
artists living with physical disabilities onstage with renowned artists who will demonstrate the
excellence we can achieve when we support the notion of “One World One Dream.”
Mr. Liu Zhongde, President of Who’s Who Culture Industry Group said, “The world-class range of talent
has been selected to represent an international audience, meaning that everyone will have a personal
favorite represented in the selection of assembled artists.”
“A platform is being created for artists who have demonstrated excellence to stand side by side on an
international stage between the Paralympics and Olympic Games,” stated production partner Rick
Garson, President of ZZYX Entertainment and Global Harmony. “We are proud to be working side-byside
with IPAFA on the Marriage of Excellence Concert Series.”
With Samsung’s worldwide prestige, organizers believe they can bring greater awareness to the
Paralympic Movement and help raise funds internationally. One way is through the sale of a song
specifically written for the tour called “Make Them Believe.” Recorded in English and Chinese, the song
will be available for download via www.ipafa.cn or www.ipafa.com.
Tour Dates include:
August 30 - Wuhan
September 5 & 6 - Shenzhen
September 7 - Guangzhou
Three broadcasts are slated to be aired as an outcome of this initiative. The series launches with the
one-hour documentary, Quest For Excellence. It is hosted by Kevin Connolly, a sensational
photographer, who challenges the notion of normalcy. He travels the world to interview three artists
who are preparing to arrive in Beijing for their Chinese debut in the “Art of Excellence” and “Marriage of
Excellence” concerts. Along his travels he realizes his perceptions of people living with disabilities are
tainted by his own drive to be seen as “normal.” The Art of Excellence concert brings together
int - IFAFA.com
Discography
"From This Day On" released February 2007 to Caribbean radio and TEMPO Video. Her latest 2010 single, CD title track and video release "Love Like Mine" is currently on CBC (Barbados), MTV (Canada) and is soon to be released in South America and Asia. The theme song for the Arts Games/Paralympics Games "Make Them Believe In Me" is available on ipafa.com (International Performing Arts For All).
Photos
Bio
Barbadian singer/ songwriter KITORAH has achieved commendably in the music arena and undoubtedly has a promising future the international music industry.
A vivacious and versatile performer of stunning looks and great style, the sleek songstress credits her name, derived from the Scriptures, to her grandmothers unwavering faith.
Emerging winner of the coveted and keenly contested Barbadian Richard Stoute Teen Talent Award, catapulted to the spotlight the little-known Betty G from the scenic St. Joseph parish, honing her into a specialist performer. Nonetheless, KITORAH also envisages a future career in acting, with a promise to assist in the development of younger artists.
To her credit, KITORAH has toured Canada, performing at the Toronto Convention Centre for the Barbados Ball and performed her new single, From This Day On, at the esteemed 2007 Barbados Music Awards. This soft release was written and produced by Barbadian Tony Hoyos and the accompanying video, shot on location in her homeland, was subsequently released on TEMPO in August 2008. KITORAH also sang lead for a local band in a scintillating performance at the 2008 Barbados Jazz Festival.
She co-wrote and produced three songs on the album with the celebrated Jimmy Senya Haynes, who has produced for Sade, Steel Pulse and Desiree, and won a Grammy Award for his work on the Steel Pulse album.
With an undeniable passion for her music career, the preferred genres of the dynamic performer are Pop, Alternative and Contemporary. She was in Toronto, Canada, completing her first solo album, Love Like Mine , a collaboration with Canadian Pop/R & B/Adult Contemporary producers Eddie Bullen (Liberty Silver, Rupert Gayle) and Derek Brin (Usher, Whitney Houston, etc.).
KITORAHs title track, released in the Caribbean, was co-written with Kristina Unjhem, a Norwegian singer / songwriter, and produced by Deekay Music / Pop City, Hit, producers for the British boy group, BLUE. This track delivers to the industry the increasingly popular Caribbean Dancehall /Soca rhythmic flavour associated with some of the icons in this music genre.
KITORAHs musical gift took her to China for the prestigious 2008 Beijing Olympics. There she had the honour of delivering the theme song for the Concert Series, Marriage Of Excellence, introduced by the International Performing Arts for All (IPAFA and which she recently re-wrote while in Canada recording with producer Eddie Bullen. She performed in three major cities to re-establish The Arts Games, serving as a bridge between the Paralympics and the Olympics.
In the works: Kitorah is to hosts two television shows on CMC on her tour of China for release to 28 Caribbean States. The first is to be a one-hour documentary with part proceeds of digital downloads going to assist Paralympians in the Caribbean. The second will be the Samsung Marriage of Excellence Concert Series, which was directed and produced by American Awards producer, Rick Garson. In addition, the 2008 Diva show in Beijing is scheduled for release on NBC to 80 countries.
2009 ended with excellence as she brought the curtains down before the creme de la creme of the music industry at Sandy Lane Hotel, Barbados. Within days she was booked to do the same for 2010.
The long awaited album " Love Like Mine" was completed in February 2010 amidst rave reviews. The self penned song "Every Heartbeat" became a major hit imediately with a couple major players in the industry and her management has been asked to submit materials for review. Kitorah has a leading role in the pipes for one movie produced by Earl Maynard, the stage role of Nala in the Lion King and has recently auditioned for a Canadian series which will be filmed on the island.
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