TUES: Melody Ross Memorial | THURS: 1i Writing on Violence & BTS

Melody Ross Memorial At The Art Theatre Celebrates Teen’s Life Through Music & Memories
November 17, 2009
7:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Please join friends, family and the Long Beach community at large to celebrate the short life of student, Melody Ross, on Tuesday, November 17th, 7:30-10:30, at the Art Theatre of Long Beach [2025 E 4th St • 562-438-5435]. The 16-year-old Cambodian American teen was killed on Oct 30 after a homecoming game at Wilson High School in Long Beach. The benefit’s biggest proponent is PraCh, an internationally celebrated Cambodian-American rapper from Long Beach, California—who was Melody’s favorite musical artist. Other artists confirmed are Universal Speakers, DaddyScotty aka “Dub PassenJah” (of Chapter 11), Mike the Poet, and JUMAKAE Yodraj with more to be added.

Friends remembered Ross, 16, as a bright, friendly and cheerful student. A junior, Ross was a high-achieving student who attended several Advanced Placement classes and was a pole-vaulter on the school’s track team.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Melody Ross Memorial Trust, established by the Superintendent of Schools, and President of the Long Beach Education Foundation to handle costs associated with her death. Click here for more information.

About the Performers:
PraCh, a Cambodian-American rapper from Long Beach, California. His first CD, Dalama: The End’n’ Is Just the Beginnin’, features sampled sound bytes from old Khmer Rouge propaganda speeches to deliver a blistering history lesson about Cambodia’s genocide.

Universal Speakers are a female trio hailing from Long Beach, who blend Reggae, hip-hop and R&B sounds in their music.

DaddyScotty aka the “Dub PassenJah” is one of the founding members of Chapter 11, a local group known for its unique sound that blends hip-hop beats with Reggae instrumentation, rhythms and melodies.

Mike Sonksen, also known as Mike the Poet, is a poet, journalist, historian, tour guide, and teacher. His book, I Am Alive in Los Angeles, has been added to the curriculum of several universities and has received rave reviews.

JUMAKAE Yodraj is a poet, activist & songwriter [AND CORE MEMBER OF ONE IMAGINATION].

Advance Tickets to are $10 and are available at the Art Theatre or online here.

THIS THURSDAY, November 19th, ONE IMAGINATION is hosting a writing session from 6-8PM at Mirage Coffeehouse (539 E. Bixby Rd, LB) preceding Break the Silence.

The session will focus on looking at the Melody Ross incident, other forms of violence in our community, the impact violence has on us, and what we can do to change it. Participants will be encouraged to share their work immediately following the session at Break the Silence, which takes place in the same location from 8-11PM.

Reminder: November's BTS is dedicated to the memory of Melody Ross, and due to Thanksgiving, is being held a week early.

We hope to see you on Tuesday and also have you join us this Thursday.

-1i