Carl Brister's 8th Annual Love+Unity Fest Unites West Orange, NJ with Amazing Live Music and Arts as the Link

    WEST ORANGE, NJ, May 08, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- What happens when you turn an idea into an action that leverages the power of love, music, and the arts to bring communities together? If you ask International recording artist Carl Brister, you are sure to get one answer, The Love+Unity Fest.

Since 2016, Carl has been using music to bring unity in the community through The Love+Unity Fest, which he began in response to instances of brutality, hate crimes, and a growing racial divide across the nation. This singer-songwriter who recently released a short-film video and cover of Janet Jackson's classic "Let Wait Awhile" is now featured on Pandora Music's coveted Adult R&B Playlist adds, "As a musician and artist, I have seen the power of music at work. So, I created a space for people to come together, have a great time, get information about different cultures and how we can all make a difference in the community."

In 2019, Carl founded Music Village, a 501 c3 non-profit organization that hosts The Love+Unity Fest which boasts past virtual appearances by Music Village "legend" honorees Dionne Warwick and Robert "Kool" Bell. This year, In partnership with West Orange Public Schools, Carl recently announced Music Village's first ever "Week of Love+Unity" which will take place May 15th-May 20th throughout West Orange, NJ.

This town-wide celebration of diversity through the arts will begin on Monday, May 15th with a great Community Kick Off, followed each day by an array of in-person and virtual events through including, master classes, and panel discussions by several community organizations, artists, and leaders. Some of the highlighted events include the Music Village's first ever Love+Unity Comedy Night hosted by Adam Shandler, Expressions: Night of Spoken Word at Luna Stage co-hosted by Godsent of Cry Out Cave, Mentoring Diverse Entrepreneurs by How Delish HD and Beverly's Webshop, and Loving your LGBTQ+ Child co-hosted by Brister & Author/Music Industry Executive Akim Bryant with panel guests from Garden State Equality, West Orange's Rainbow Coalition, and R&B Artist Tanya Nolan. Also scheduled is a workshop for high school students on recognizing Anti-Semitism on Tik-Tok by Kean University's Holocaust Resource Center, a township panel discussion by the West Orange Human Relations Commission on "Loving our Uniquely Gifted Community" as well as a "Share Your Story" book read by The St. Cloud Diversity Council. For a complete list of events and to RVSP, see www.MusicVillage.live/lauw-2023.

Just added will be a special one-night only performance by world renowned Opera Contralto Alison Bolshoi in support of Music Village's Scholarship Fund. The event will also mark the debut of rising young classical pianist, Jordan "J-Maestro" Brister of West Orange High School. In addition, Music Village will be acknowledging 6 Middle School and High School winners of the "What Love+Unity Means to Me" Poetry/Essay Contest with a monetary award sponsored in part by local businesses and individuals. "If the community supports the artists, they will be more likely to use their talents to support the community", says Brister To support the Music Village Scholarship Fund with a tax-deductible donation visit: www.musicvillage.live/scholarship

The Week of Love+Unity culminates with The 8th Annual Love+Unity Fest, on Saturday, May 20th, from 1-6pm at Liberty Middle School, One Kelly Drive, West Orange, NJ. It's free for the community with food trucks, activities, cultural art, and vendors. Musical guests include Haven Burton (Broadway), Roger Bryson (Rock/Soul), Melaner (Latin), Colorjoy (Alt-Pop), Blu Dione (R&B), Mgosi (Gospel/Hip-Hop), Simoni (Afrobeats/Hip-Hop), Elixar Dance Crew, West Orange High School's Jazz I Ensemble, Jubilee Choir, and Male & Female Step Teams. Taking the stage for the finale' performance will be Love+Unity Fest Founder, Carl Brister who will perform his current R&B single "Let's Wait Awhile" as well as debut a new "Country" music single "…Will Be Spring Again". He adds, "I've always enjoyed singing different styles of music. It's what The Love+Unity Fest is all about - seeing beauty in the diversity in music, the arts, and amongst each of us."

Music Village is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by national recording artist Carl Brister, and created to leverage the power of the performing arts to support community organizations, leaders, and public servants focused on increasing diversity in the community and promoting the arts by raising awareness and fostering community engagement. Additionally, Music Village is committed to facilitating dialogue that increases financial literacy among artists and those in marginalized communities with hopes of increasing equitable access to information and wealth building opportunities for all.

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