Spirits *

SPONSORSHIP AND PROGRAMS

We are seeking sponsors and funding from the corporate, private and government sectors, to assist in our endeavors to produce, develop and promote projects for community building, youth prevention, higher education, heritage and preservation. Drums No Guns Commission, Inc., is a non-profit community based educational organization with a 501(c)(3) tax exempt status (ID: 06-1517971) that promotes literacy and the prevention of crime and violence, handgun violence, drugs, gangs, hatred, racism, hunger, homelessness, teen homicide and suicide.

We challenge match any proposed prospective for corporate, private and government funds against any amount of independent funds generated through our campaign series across the board. The goal is to attract and generate challenge matching funds on a minimum two to one ratio basis. For example, our organizational network raise funds to the amount of $10k and our matching recipient (corporate, private or federal cash) contributes and/or donates the amount of $20k dollars.

DNG Across America Community Building Campaign Tour

DNG utilize the power and influence of entertainment (Music & Arts) and technology to stimulate and motivate children, youth and adults to become enthusiastic about hope, community building, positive thinking and higher education. It is imperative and of the most importance to begin preventive measures to save the lives and future lifestyles of children and youth through positive role models, mentoring and entertaining programs and projects. DNG and it's network affiliates are promoting a 40 city national community building campaign tour called 'DRUMS NO GUNS ACROSS AMERICA', designed to create higher education, EMPOWERMENT, self esteem and self worth among youth at risk nationwide, promoting legitimate and positively creative/innovative opportunities, assisting community organizations, institutions, libraries, schools, community centers, church outreach and after school programs.

Our goal is to raise funds to help urban communities through forty nationally selected city programs, allocating funds up to $2 million within each major city we visit. In addition, funds will be used for community building emergency and development. DNG will perform year around operations nationwide, including the development of our DNG regional headquarters throughout the Northeast. 

Funds to build performing arts and multi-media/communication centers and programs will be generated by our national community building EDU-concert campaign tour. Our ultimate goal is to create community pride, hope, opportunity, social and economic stability, brotherhood and unity --- Making a significant difference for people of all cultures and races.

Under the direction of Michael Mills, DNG has developed a successful community based cultural diverse prevention program, encompassing world drumming, music, art and heritage.

In addition we have created collaborative partnerships with various departments at Yale University and non-profit organizations and institutions in greater New Haven and abroad. These collaborations are for the sole purpose of community youth development, revitalization, EMPOWERMENT and community pride.

DNG Programs and Projects

• Edu-Concerts, Workshops, Seminars and/or Demonstrations
• Music and Audio Technology; a series of basic and advanced workshops teaching the art of audio and visual recording, production, filming, editing, mastering, duplication, distribution, promotions and advertisement, as well as a basic course on the music and entertainment business industries.
• Drumming for Life, a series of basic and advanced workshops and drum circle sessions exploring the art of self expression, world drumming, cultural diversity, spirit, cultural exchange, history and awareness. Drumming for life breaks down barriers and bridges strong cultural bonds with people from around the world.
• Arts in the Garden, is series of art workshops evoking expressive art sessions in alignment with Gods ecological and environmental natures of the world. This project explores creative artistic reflections from various gardens and their organic productivity. We learn to relax, have patience, be still, imagine, visualize, create and paint to capture the essence, nourishment, power and beauty of a garden.
• Musical Instrument Application and Instructions, is a series of theoretical and practical applications and instrumental sessions teaching the art musical instruments, performance, composition, reading and writing music lyrics and scores.
• School and Community Educational Concerts, Workshops, Lectures and Demonstrations.
• After School Programs and Projects for at risk and unprivileged youth.
• Basic Business Application to learn about organizational management, promotional marketing, communication and multimedia.
• Youth Empowerment & Development programs and projects.
• Printing For a Purpose
• Creative Writing, Storytelling, Poetry and Journalism.

Calloway House Revival & Preservation Campaign
Cab's legendary twelve room colonial house at 1040 Knollwood Rd., White Plains, NY is for sale. We are currently renting this property with the option to buy.

'Yesterday Meets Today' Calloway Concert Tour 2008
The Calloway Legacy and Centennial Live Concert Tour, 'Yesterday Meets Today', will encompass a proposal to any television network interested in hosting/sponsoring a Calloway telethon and or documentary type program. We shall incorporate footage from Cab, in the live concert series featuring Cecelia Calloway and Millzone All Star Band and Artist Network. We are seeking potential celebrity acts celebrating 100 years of Cab Calloway. Our live concerts will feature musical artists representing several genres performing original song selections from 100 years of Cab Calloway.

Calloway Merchandise
Tee shirts, baseball caps, buttons, would be sold both at all event venues and on internet sites. A calendar and coin set, tastefully designed items, have been targeted to appeal both to the jazz aficionado as well as to casual concert goers. As the centennial year progresses, all events would be planned so to maximize revenue from these items.

Cecelia Calloway CD
Cecelia has recently recorded Minnie the Moocher as well as a number of both classic and original songs. The title and theme of the CD is 'Yesterday Meets Today', consisting of 14-16 original and classic songs produced with a twist Rhythm and Blues, Pop, Jazz, hip hop, message and storytelling lyrics. An available Demo gives examples of original Calloway standards performed by Cecelia L.Calloway.

'All That Glitters is not Gold' Memoirs
Cecelia is in the process of writing memoirs of her life with Cab Calloway. The working title of the Book is 'All that Glitters is not gold'.

16 Episode Storybook on DVD
What is amazing about Cab Calloway's life is that the more you dig, the more you find! Cab's career as a major national entertainer began when he was only in his twenties but lasted almost until the end of the 20th Century. In the 1930's, he was featured nationally as a foil to Betty Boop, as a jazz entertainer with Bing Crosby and other very established stars, and as the Hipcat with Mickey Mouse and other recognized cartoon characters. And of course, at the time, Minnie the Moocher and the phrase 'Hi-De-Ho' became legendary icons for all time. This project is a sixteen episode storybook on DVD. 

A Tribute 2 Cab | Celebrity Hiphop CD Compliation Project '08
Cab Calloway is considered by many to be the 'GOD FATHER OF RAP', and all celebrity Hip hop artists are invited to record one of Cabs songs and/or an original rap or poetry version of your choice, rapping about Cab. All partipipants will partake in an interview for a documentary series intended to be aired on television network channels. We're promoting this rap series as a part of our 'Yesterday Meets Today' project, currently in progress. This rap, spoken word and poetry project will be classy not dirty.

The purpose is to help support the preservation of Cab's legacy, and celebrate 100 years of Cab Calloway with his three daughters, Cecelia Lael Calloway, Chris Calloway and Cabella Calloway Langsam. We appreciate your endorsement as a celebrity rapper or poet (recording artist) and/or supporter of this great project. We shall produce and promote an exclusive CD and DVD compilation and Hip hop meets Cab documentary based on the musical life of Cab Calloway.

A Cab Calloway documentary series is drawing great interest from major TV network channels (History, A&E, Biography, Discovery), working in conjunction with world renowned film historian Lou Reda. The most recent documentary produced by Lou Reda aired this December 2007 on History Channel, please visit (www.redafilms.com). The purpose is to support the preservation of Cab's legacy and celebrate 100 years of Cab Calloway. We are seeking major sponsorship from corporate industries, entrepreneurs, the private sector, and philanthropists.

* Music courtesy of DNG guest composer, Yvette M. Carter