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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Gregory Burrus Productions
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260618T193000
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DTSTAMP:20260423T065621
CREATED:20251015T042851Z
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UID:10002561-1781811000-1781818200@gregoryburrusproductions.com
SUMMARY:Rutgers IJS NJPAC Monthly Jazz Jam Session featuring James Austin Jr at Clements Place
DESCRIPTION:You are invited to come listen and or join in the jam \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us at our monthly Jazz Jam Sessions\, featuring top-flight NJ musicians directed by pianist and bandleader\, James Austin\, Jr. This series is co-presented by NJPAC’s Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers Institute for Jazz Studies. Immerse yourself in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the player’s and listeners’ minds. All novice and seasoned jazz musicians and singers are welcomed to jam and improv with the professional band throughout the night. \n\n\n\nCo-Producers: Wayne Winborne\, Executive Director\, IJS and Eyesha Marable\, AVP\, Comm Engagement\, NJPAC.
URL:https://gregoryburrusproductions.com/event/rutgers-ijs-njpac-monthly-jazz-jam-session-featuring-james-austin-jr-at-clements-place-7/
LOCATION:Clements Place Jazz IJS – Ruth Bader Ginsburg Building\, 15 Washington Street\, Newark\, NJ\, United States
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DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260619T090000
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CREATED:20260415T173754Z
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SUMMARY:Celebrating Community & Consciousness: The Gregory Burrus Productions Event Series
DESCRIPTION:Gregory Burrus Productions proudly launches a powerful trio of socially conscious events for Maplewood Arts and Culture 2026 designed to uplift\, educate\, and unite our communities through the transformative power of music and culture. This season’s programming brings together artists whose work speaks directly to freedom\, resilience\, and the ongoing pursuit of justice — from soul‑stirring tributes to liberation music\, to reflective Juneteenth performances\, to community‑centered celebrations that honor our shared history. Each event is crafted with intention\, blending artistry and advocacy to spark conversation\, inspire healing\, and strengthen the cultural fabric of North Jersey and beyond. As we gather across stages\, parks\, and public spaces\, Gregory Burrus Productions continues its commitment to presenting meaningful experiences that celebrate heritage\, elevate voices\, and move our communities forward. \n\n\n\n3. 5:00 – 5:45 — Jeanne Ricks Project \n\n\n\n7:10 – 7:55 — MeriKara SaikaPtah \n\n\n\n8:15 – 8:50 — Lynette Sheard Live \n\n\n\nJeanne Ricks – RicksoMusic – Strings of Liberation –  A Socially Conscious Soundscape  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5:00 – 5:45 pm Jeanne Ricks brings a powerful musical journey of reflection\, healing\, and unity through her soulful guitar work and inspired arrangements. Her Juneteenth set features modern interpretations of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” and “We Shall Overcome\,” along with timeless calls for justice and compassion such as “People Get Ready\,” “Someday We’ll All Be Free\,” “What’s Going On\,” “Blowin’ in the Wind\,” and “Love’s in Need of Love Today.” Jeanne weaves these classics together with original compositions that honor resilience and the ongoing pursuit of freedom. Her performance invites the audience into a space of remembrance\, hope\, and collective uplift. She closes with a message of unity and forward motion\, reminding us that love\, courage\, and community remain our greatest instruments of change.   \n\n\n\nJeanne Ricks\, known professionally as Ricksomusic\, is a guitarist\, composer\, and creative producer whose work blends Blues\, Funk\, Soul\, and atmospheric sound design into a signature style that is both groove‑driven and emotionally rich. A New Rochelle native with deep roots in the New York and New Jersey music scene\, Jeanne is recognized for her warm tone\, fluid phrasing\, and the unmistakable sense of storytelling she brings to every performance. \n\n\n\nAs the creator and artistic director of Sketches of Music\, Jeanne has developed a multimedia platform that merges live performance\, visual art\, and narrative elements to spotlight emerging and established artists. Her work reflects a commitment to cultural preservation\, creative innovation\, and community‑centered artistry. \n\n\n\nJeanne’s music has been featured in broadcast media\, including segments for The Weather Channel\, and she continues to expand her catalog of original compositions and collaborative projects. Whether on stage\, in the studio\, or behind the camera\, she approaches every endeavor with intention\, authenticity\, and a deep respect for the power of music to inspire and connect. \n\n\n\nWith Ricksomusic\, Jeanne stands at the intersection of artistry and vision — a guitarist with a distinct voice and a creator shaping new spaces for musical expression. \n\n\n\n7:10 – 7:755  Merikara  – Songs of Strength\, Sounds of Freedom ( Gil Scott Heron\, Marvin Gaye etc)  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Songs of Strength\, Sounds of Freedom” is Merikara’s powerful tribute to the artists who turned truth into art and art into liberation. Drawing inspiration from Gil Scott‑Heron\, Marvin Gaye\, Nina Simone\, and the socially conscious voices of their era\, this set blends soul\, jazz\, spoken word\, and message‑driven storytelling into a moving musical experience. Each song becomes a reflection on resilience\, justice\, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom — honoring the legacy of those who used music as both a mirror and a megaphone for change. \n\n\n\nWith her commanding presence and emotionally rich delivery\, Merikara leads the audience through a journey that is both reflective and uplifting. The set invites listeners to feel the weight of history while celebrating the strength of a people who continue to rise. “Songs of Strength\, Sounds of Freedom” is more than a performance — it is a call to remember\, to honor\, and to carry the spirit of liberation forward. \n\n\n\nMeriKara SaikaPtah is a vocalist\, storyteller\, and creative vessel whose work is rooted in spirit\, culture\, and the healing power of sound.  Known for her warm\, resonant tone and emotionally honest delivery\, she brings a rare blend of ancestral grounding and contemporary expression to every performance. Her artistry spans Jazz\, Soul\, Spirituals\, and spoken‑word‑infused performance\, creating experiences that uplift\, awaken\, and invite deep reflection. \n\n\n\nA South Orange native with a growing footprint in New Jersey’s arts community\, MeriKara has appeared in productions such as Rooted In Us… A Jazz Corner Juke starring Ms. Celli Pitt and friends\, and continues to build a body of work that honors lineage while forging new creative pathways. Her performances are marked by intention — weaving themes of liberation\, identity\, and collective healing. \n\n\n\nAs both an artist and cultural practitioner\, MeriKara uses her voice as a tool for empowerment\, connection\, and emotional restoration. Whether on stage\, in community spaces\, or within multidisciplinary collaborations\, she brings a presence that is both grounding and transformative. \n\n\n\n8:15 – 8:50  Lynette Sheard LIve – Emotional Emancipation fee \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn 2021\, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the United States\, affirming a long‑awaited acknowledgment of freedom delayed but never denied. Juneteenth represents more than a historical milestone — it embodies emotional emancipation\, resilience\, and the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice. It is a day to honor the strength of a people who transformed struggle into culture\, creativity\, and community. \n\n\n\nAcross the country\, Juneteenth is celebrated with parades\, music\, reflection\, storytelling\, and\, of course\, incredible food. It’s a moment to gather\, uplift one another\, and continue the journey toward collective healing and liberation. \n\n\n\nLynette Sheard is a sought‑after singer\, actor\, and producer whose performances have been praised in numerous publications\, including The Star‑Ledger\, which wrote that “her voice reaches deep into one’s soul and finds a soft spot.” A dynamic and versatile artist\, she moves effortlessly across Jazz\, Blues\, R&B\, Gospel\, Soul\, and Pop\, bringing emotional depth and expressive power to every stage she graces. \n\n\n\nHer extensive theater credits include principal roles in Dreamgirls\, Smokey Joe’s Café\, Ragtime\, Swing\, Aida\, For Colored Girls\, A Raisin in the Sun\, and Avenue Q. In 2017\, she was inducted into the Encyclopedia of Newark Jazz\, recognizing her enduring impact on New Jersey’s cultural landscape. \n\n\n\nBeyond the stage\, Lynette is a respected leader in mental health advocacy. She serves as the Director of the national award‑winning NJ Mental Health Players and as a Community Education Coordinator at the Mental Health Association in New Jersey\, where she use \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nGregory Burrus Productions — Social Impact \n\n\n\nGregory Burrus Productions is a community‑driven cultural organization dedicated to presenting socially conscious music\, storytelling\, and live arts experiences that uplift\, educate\, and unite audiences across New Jersey and the tri‑state region. Led by cultural producer and community curator Gregory Burrus\, the organization creates platforms that honor heritage\, celebrate artistic excellence\, and amplify voices that speak to justice\, resilience\, and collective healing. \n\n\n\nThrough festivals\, concert series\, Juneteenth celebrations\, and grassroots partnerships\, Gregory Burrus Productions brings together local and legendary artists to spark dialogue\, inspire reflection\, and strengthen community connection. The company’s work centers on cultural preservation\, intergenerational engagement\, and the belief that music and the arts are powerful tools for social change. From jazz and blues to spiritual and socially conscious programming\, Gregory Burrus Productions continues to shape meaningful cultural moments that honor the past while building a more connected and compassionate future.
URL:https://gregoryburrusproductions.com/event/celebrating-community-consciousness-the-gregory-burrus-productions-event-series/
LOCATION:NJ
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