Narrative Network

Off-Broadway Harlem show

Posted on July 26, 2013March 6, 2016 by Sylvia Wong Lewis

I attended Opening night recently of Buried Child, a Sam Shepard Revival at Aaron Davis Hall at City College in Harlem. Here’s an excerpt, with additional photos not included in my review, as published on Examiner.com:

BURIED CHILD — Khalil Kain directing “Buried Child” by Sam Shepard at Aaron Davis Hall, which presented the play in an Off-Broadway production July 11 to August 3. Photo by Jingxi Zhang.

Actor Khalil Kain, known for character roles in films and as Darnell Wilkes on the TV series Girlfriends, made his directing debut recently with an Equity LORT/LOA production of Sam Shepard’s Buried Child. The show runs through August 3, Aaron Davis Hall, at Harlem’s City College campus.

A racially mixed cast interpreted Shepard’s 1979 Pulitzer prize-winning play about a once prosperous but now dysfunctional Midwestern farm family. The play’s deep, dark secrets reveal incest, murder and multiple personality disorders. When grandson Vince makes a surprise visit with his girlfriend, Shelly, their presence sets off a series of revelations. A haunted house springs to life with Shelly, Vince and his grandpa, Dodge, who does not recognize him. You wonder what’s going to happen next. The ending may knock your socks off!

The cast included: Robert Boardman, as Dodge; Teresa Anne Volgenau, as Halie; Eric Gravez, as Tilden; Stephen Macari, as Bradley; Teniece Divya Johnson, as Shelly; Leroy Smith Graham, as Vince, and Edwin Matos, Jr., as Father Dewis. Set design is by Arnold Bueso. Lighting design is by Brian Aldous. Costume design is by Mary Myers. The production also included: Stage Manager, Reginald L. Wilson; Assistant Stage Manager, Stephanie Peralta; Assistant to the Director, Brandon Baskin; Hair & Makeup, Brandalyn Fulton; and Production Assistant, Michael Aponte; Khalil Kain, director.

Tickets are $25 general admission; $10 seniors and students (with ID). Performances run through August 3 on the following schedule: 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturdays. Call the box office (212) 650-6900. For online tickets go to: www.adhatccny.org. Aaron Davis Hall is located at 135th Street and Convent Avenue, on the City College of New York campus. Subways are #1 to 137th Street; C to 135th Street, or A or D to 145th Street. Free parking is available in the South Campus Parking Lot (enter at 133rd Street and Convent Ave).

Sam Shepard revival Buried Child — BURIED CHILD — Aaron Davis Hall will present an Off-Broadway production of “Buried Child” by Sam Shepard, directed by Khalil Kain, July 11 to August 3, 2013. (L) Robert Boardman as Dodge, (R) Eric Gravez as Tilden. Photo by Jonathan Slaff

Opening Night reception — Cast of Buried Child have fun pose at post-Opening Night Reception.

Genealogy is Good for Your Brain

Posted on July 23, 2013March 6, 2016 by Sylvia Wong Lewis

Genealogy is good for your brain! I stumbled across a study done in Berlin that seems to prove that genealogy increases brainpower. Thinking about our ancestors can boost performance on intelligence tests creating something called an “ancestor effect,” according to the European study.

Aunt Emily, Uncle Mansing — Maternal grandmother’s sister Aunt Emily and Uncle Mansing pose in Trinidad.

“Anecdotally, there’s reason to believe that such thoughts (thinking about where we came from – our ancestors) are beneficial. Why else the public fascination with genealogy and programmes like the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? Now Peter Fischer and his colleagues at the Universities of Graz, Berlin and Munich have shown that thinking about our ancestors boosts our performance on intelligence tests – what they’ve dubbed ‘the ancestor effect’.”

Read more about it in the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest Blog at: http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2010/12/benefits-of-thinking-about-your.html.

What happy good news! I have always felt that the genealogists were smarter than most people. So, here’s some scientific proof to back up that claim. I mean, what profession requires one to be an historian detective organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data and using the brain in so many different ways? Genealogy is a multidisciplinary pursuit that demands insights into many areas including history, psychology, sociology, biology, genetics, geography, languages, problem solving, logic and mathematics.

Do you think about your family history? Have you tried to do genealogy searches for anyone? Great. Your are brilliant!

My Fat Genes

Posted on July 15, 2013March 6, 2016 by Sylvia Wong Lewis

sisters — With Kim Nemoy, my baby sister, on right

My baby sister was always bigger than me. She takes after my father’s people. The women on his side are thick and full-bodied. Why are they big? One answer is: Good food leads to eating a lot. I always blamed our Mississippi and Louisiana heritage for developing our famous cooking genes! I mean, who invented Southern cuisine? Not Paula Dean! But, more on our cooking genes later.

Actually, many of us inherited fat genes from our ancestors—a genetic disposition for obesity. One in every seven Americans were born with the fat gene! Mexico recently surpassed the US as the “world’s most obese,” according to a United Nations report. But are you destined to be fat if your family is fat? Scientists say No! You can prevent obesity by exercising and eating healthy food.

Furthermore, British scientists recently gained a deeper understanding about a fat gene called “FTO,” that causes our “hunger” hormones to crave certain foods more than others.

“A version of an obesity gene, called FTO, had been linked to a bigger belly, but the reason why was uncertain. A study, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, showed it made fatty foods more tempting and altered levels of the hunger hormone, ghrelin. Obesity experts said drugs targeting ghrelin might reduce weight gain.

Endorsements, Media

Posted on July 10, 2013March 6, 2016 by Sylvia Wong Lewis

“Awesome presentation! Your film ‘From Shanghai to Harlem’ generated lively discussions and learning opportunities for the students in my ‘Chinese in the Americas’ course. We look forward to your next class with us.” Professor Lisa Yun, Binghampton University, http://www.binghamton.edu/index.php

“Impressive work! Your team delivered beyond expectations. You produced two short films with Japanese subtitles within a tight timeframe; coordinated a press conference, produced a website, brochure, and marketing collateral. Excellent photography, video, film, and other communications and special event support needed for our first annual Brooklyn to Japan – Kakehashi program. Thank you.” Osamu Honda, Director General, Japan Foundation-New York, http://www.jfny.org/.

“Amazing Communications and Events management for our cultural Exchange Program with the Japan government. Your team went beyond the call of duty. Looking forward to working with you again.” Long Island University-Brooklyn, Student Affairs Department, http://www.liu.edu/brooklyn

“Outstanding coordination of our VIP Breakfast Reception and Press Conference for the Japan-Brooklyn Project. Looking forward to working with you on future cultural exchange programs for Brooklyn.” Brooklyn Borough Hall, President’s office, Hon. Eric L. Adams, http://www.brooklyn-usa.org/

“Far more than public relations! Your leadership with our first press conference, press releases and archival research resulted in terrific outcomes. We look forward to working with you again.” Victoria Weil, CEO, Friends of Bogardus Garden, http://www.bogardusgarden.org/

“Thank you for promoting the Ramsey Lewis concert to benefit City College Center for the Arts. It was a sold-out event. Kudos for a media job well done.” Karen Witherspoon, VP, Government & Community Relations, CUNY-City College, http://www.ccny.cuny.edu/

“You were our best Guest Lecturer on ‘The Power of Storytelling.’ My Public Relations-Marketing Media class benefited greatly from your passion, knowledge and film about your family’s remarkable story!” Donald Singletary, Professor, CUNY-Baruch College. http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/

“Terrific results came from your marketing work in promoting our National Conference. Your work led to increased registrations and book sales.” Susan Hutchinson, Eastern Mennonite University, http://www.emu.edu/

“Sylvia worked tirelessly to make our New York City book tour event a success. She succeeded in generating a quality audience and PR results, especially an NPR interview, that spread the word of our work exponentially. We greatly appreciate her professionalism and efficiency and would not hesitate to work with her again.” Sharon Leslie Morgan & Tom DeWolf, co-authors, Gather at the Table.

“Thank you for your leadership with our Development and Fund Raising strategies regarding our sustainable South Africa investment project.” Donna Katzin, CEO, Shared Interest, https://sharedinterest.org/

“You raised the bar! Your media expertise to promote Harlem Sakura Cherry Blossom Festival was awesome. The major media placements, especially the New York Times article, raised the bar. The response was inspiring and impressive.” Voza Rivers, CEO, New Heritage Theater Group, http://www.newheritagetheatre.org/

“Well-done! Excellent presentation at the Smith College Black Students Alliance Spring Conference on ‘The Aesthetics of Blackness: What It Means to be Black in America Today.'” Smith College Alumnae Association, http://www.smith.edu/

“Your team’s quick turn-around in getting the word out about the Red Tails film screening and the Tuskegee Airmen’s local chapter fundraiser was great. Your multicultural engagement strategy led to great media turnout, including CBS-TV, NY1, NY Daily News, and impressive fundraising results.” Patt Terrelongue, CEO, Tuskegee Airmen, Tri-state Chapter, http://tuskegeeairmennationalmuseum.org/

“Ambassadors are influencers who generate high-level buzz. What a terrific ambassador you were for our Broadway theater productions Stick Fly and Trip to Bountiful. Thank you for Audience Development strategies that generated major group premium ticket sales.” Nelle Nugent, President, The Foxboro Company, Inc.

“Your media and event support for our employees and retiree vets are a true blessing. Because of your excellent work we are the go-to veteran’s group in New York City. Thank you.” Dwight Webster, CEO, Transit Veteran’s Association c/o Metropolitan Transportation Authority, http://www.mta.info/

Media placements: New York Times, AP, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, NPR Radio and more.

Media: Sylvia speaks about a local legacy project on TV-NY1, 2011 – Bronx Filmmaker Invites New Yorkers To Share Family Histories

Sylvia speaks about oral histories, slavery, global migration, 2011 – New Yorker To Share Family Histories

Narrative Network
New York, New York, USA
Phone: 646-530-1056
Send email: Hello@narrativenetwork.net
Website: www.narrativenetwork.net

Endorsements

Posted on July 10, 2013March 6, 2016 by Sylvia Wong Lewis

Listed below are client Endorsements and Media for Narrative Network.

“Thank you for helping us coordinate our first press conference and increasing our media exposure. It was a successful event, thanks to your participation.” Victoria Weil, Friends of Bogardus Garden, CEO.
“Thank you for promoting Ramsey Lewis concert to benefit Aaron Davis Hall. It was a sold-out night. Your support really made a difference,” Karen Witherspoon, VP, Government & Community Relations, CUNY.
“Sylvia, thank you so very much for getting us support, visibility and promoting our National Conference and initiatives. Your work led to increased registrations and book sales.” Susan Hutchinson, Eastern Mennonite University.
“Sylvia worked tirelessly to make our New York City book tour event a success. She succeeded in generating a quality audience and PR results that spread the word of our work exponentially. We greatly appreciate her professionalism and efficiency and would not hesitate to work with her again.” Sharon Leslie Morgan & Tom DeWolf, co-authors, Gather at the Table.
“Thank you for your support promoting and contributing to our development, fundraising strategies for our sustainable South Africa investment project.” Donna Katzin, Shared Interest, CEO.
“Well-done! Your media expertise to promote Harlem Sakura Cherry Blossom Festival was awesome. Your contribution raised the bar. The response was inspiring and left those in attendance begging for more.” Voza Rivers, CEO, New Heritage Theater.
“Your team’s quick turn-around in getting the word out about the Red Tails film screening and the Tuskegee Airmen’s local chapter fundraiser was great. The media turnout was amazing and the fundraising results were impressive too. Thank you.” Patt Terrelongue, CEO, Tuskegee Airmen, Tri-state Chapter.
“Ambassadors are influencers who generate high level buzz. What a terrific ambassador you were for our play Stick Fly and Trip to Bountiful. Thank you for a great campaign and generating major group premium ticket sales!” Nelle Nugent, President, The Foxboro Company, Inc.
“Sylvia, your media and event support to promote our projects help us to gain support. We are now the go-to veteran’s group in New York City. Thank you for being there for us.” Dwight Webster, CEO, Transit Veteran’s Association.

Media placements: New York Times, AP, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, NPR Radio and more.

Media: Sylvia speaks on legacy project on TV-NY1, 2011 – Bronx Filmmaker Invites New Yorkers To Share Family Histories

Sylvia speaks about oral histories, global migration, 2011 – New Yorker To Share Family Histories

Narrative Network
New York, New York, USA
Phone: 646-530-1056
Send email: info@narrativenetwork.net
Website: www.narrativenetwork.net