The Movement Theatre Company Celebrates 5 Years in Harlem with TMTC HARLEM NIGHTS BIRTHDAY BASH, 5/15

The Movement Theatre Company [TMTC] will commemorate its fifth year with a celebration concert on Tuesday, May 15^th at the Shrine World Music Venue from 8:00pm – 11:00pm. TMTC Harlem Nights BIRTHDAY BASH will feature a host of talents, including Harlem-bred powerhouse vocalist ESNAVI who will be headlining the concert. Also performing are jazz and funk singer/songwriter Nisha Asnani and hip-hop artist Ayo – The Nigerian Nightmare. Guests will enjoy hip-hop and dance music by DJ Dorito as well as $5 drink specials all night long, a cupcake toast and a very special guest host. Tickets are $15 advance sale/$20 at the door. 

The Movement Theatre Company [TMTC] is a Harlem-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to develop new works by artists of color and produce work that highlights both the collective and diverse human experience. With all of their work, TMTC engages audiences in a rich theatrical dialogue, enlightens communities of color to the important social issues affecting our world, and empowers emerging artists to find their voice. In only five years, TMTC has quickly established itself as the new "home" for emerging artists of color and has developed and showcased the work of over 150 artists including Christina Sajous (American Idiot & Spiderman Turn Off the Dark), Xosha Roquemore (Precious), Dominique Morrisseau (Detroit '67), Harrison David Rivers (2011 GLAAD Media Award Winner), and Tony-Award Nominee Colman Domingo (Passing Strange, Scottsboro Boys). 

In 2011, TMTC launched its newest series, TMTC Harlem Nights, which celebrated local businesses within Harlem, as well as solidified TMTC's commitment to engage with the community and nurture the growth of exciting new art and culture uptown. Free events were presented at Aloft Harlem's WXYZ Lounge, Maysles Cinema, Shrine World Music Venue, and culminated with the acclaimed performances of "Wilson Revised" at the Studio Museum in Harlem. The TMTC Harlem Nights Birthday Bash will highlight the energy, talent and passion of this vibrant community of artists, and marks a landmark moment in the growth of the organization. 

ESNAVI is a multifaceted artist with a voice of undeniable soul, lyrics of thought provoking truth, and music that harmoniously blends everything in between. With the release of her debut album, Exit E, her mission to enlighten the world through her music has begun. She has headlined in front of sold out crowds at Apollo Music Café and BAMcafé Live, as well as performed on Good Day New York on FOX 5 NEWS. In only a few years, Esnavi has quickly become an independent powerhouse and is on the brink of becoming the next big thing to hit the music industry.

Nisha Asnani is a masterful songstress who infuses jazz/funk melodies with the vocal prowess of a bygone era. Her captivating tunes blend heart-wrenching emotion, powerful backbeats, tongue-in-cheek wit and wildly danceable rhythms. She has played to standing-room crowds at the Bitter End, Ella Lounge, Symphony Space, Cafe Vivaldi, Googies, The Nuyorican Poets Cafe, The National Black Theater, Rockwood Music Hall and the Brooklyn Museum. 

Ayo – The Nigerian Nightmare was born in Lagos, Nigeria and moved to America as a teenager. His music is strongly influenced by the perspective of both worlds, and his music fuses is hip-hop with influences of afrobeat and jazz. Ayo's music and poetry have gained attention by the music industry and music aficionados; serving on a panel with the likes of Lupe Fiasco, Byron Hurt and Toni Blackman, performing at legendary poetry venues like the Nuyorican Poet's Café, and doing live music shows with his band AYOINMOtion. 

The Shrine World Music Venue is a multimedia arts and culture venue dedicated to establishing a positive creative atmosphere for both artists and audiences from all backgrounds. The venue is located at 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. between 133^rd and 134^th Street. For more information visit the website at www.shrinenyc.com.

Event Information:

TMTC Harlem Nights Birthday Bash

Tuesday May 15^th

More Articles by This Author...