New McCree Theatre Hosts Festival of Phenomenal Women This Weekend

The "New" McCree Theatre, 5005 Cloverlawn Drive, Flint is presenting A Festival of Phenomenal Women, today and Sunday, October 25 and 26, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $18.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door. Tickets can be obtained from any festival honoree, over the counter at McCree Theatre, via telephone (810-787-2200) with a credit card, or online with a credit card or Paypal.

According to Charles H. Winfrey, executive director of McCree Theatre, the festival was conceived to lift talented and gifted women of color in the arts up where they belong. "The Greater Flint area is blessed with an abundance of talented and gifted women of color who have worked hard and diligently to share their gifts with the world," Winfrey said. "Most of them labor in obscurity. This Festival is to shine a light on those who have labored in the vineyards for so long without recognition."

The Festival will honor literary artists, performing artists, and visual artists. Many of those to be honored are multi-talented. The Saturday, October 25 program is headlined by R&B Recording Artist, Rhonda Clarke.

Others on the bill for Saturday include: Renetta Cochran, author of the short story, "From a Caterpillar to a Butterfly," the inspirational book, "Loving Me to Loving You," and the gospel stage play, "Obedience." She is also the founder and visionary of Be Reel Productions, LLC; Gwen Hemphill, longtime Jazz, R&B and gospel vocalist in the Flint area. She has opened for or shared the stage with Howard Hewitt, Bo Williams, The Canton Spirituals, Shirley Caesar, and the Mighty Banks Sisters. She has performed in several plays at McCree Theatre, including Purlie, Ladies and Gentlemen...Presenting the Gospelettes, Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round, Those Gorgeous, Glamorous Girl Groups, and The Wiz; Danielle Green, is a writer actress, director, and community activist. She is the author of the book, Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda. She has performed in "Heartbeat" a film about domestic violence, and she directed the stage play, Pray for Me . She is currently finishing her next book, "I Wish I Would Have Knew Me Back Then."

Saturday's line-up continues with Stephenie Monear Schindler, a longtime favorite among Flint's jazz crowd has also completed her first book, "Fruits of My Solitude." She was lead vocalist in one of the most sought after bands in the mid-west for a number of years, the Cliff Monear Trio, especially noted for their eclectic repertoire; Sandra Peoples is the author of "No More Drama" and "Foolish." Moreover, she is a consultant for those wishing to self-publish their works and to create their own publishing companies; Mikki (Keena) Wade is a singer and songwriter. She released her first CD, "One Last Call" and "What Goes Around Comes Around" last November. She has performed in "This Far by Faith" at McCree Theatre, and "He's Coming Back for His Bride" at the University of Michigan-Flint; Gloria Watson is a folk and found object artist. She has a wealth of work to her credit. She has exhibited at the Greater Flint Arts Council, the former Citizens Bank, and is on permanent display at McCree Theatre; Grace Thomas is a blues and R & B diva. She has performed in many, many venues in and around Flint. The Grace Thomas Experience has played over 100 gigs since the founding of the band.

Sunday's line-up includes a phenomenal list of gifted women as well, including Minister Tonya Bailey, who recently released her first Worship CD, titled "Simply Amazing," which includes the single "His Name is." She is co-pastor, along with her husband Le V. Bailey of Hand of God Ministries. She is the mother of five children; Lynne Calloway is a dynamic gospel recording artist. Her latest album, "Secret Place," earned a Rhythm of Gospel Awards nomination for Best New Artist. The disc has an assortment of jazzy, modern tunes such as "I Wanna Be Like Jesus," along with more traditional hymns such as "God With Us;" Telishia Rena Berry is a playwright and author, she recently published "Gospel Junkie" and launched her new magazine, Courageous Woman, a magazine that highlights the accomplishments of extraordinary women. She has written several plays, including Wake Up, Wake Up 2, and Hair Weave.

Roshanda Womack is a local gospel singer who has sang along side Erykah Badu, and at Carnegie Hall. Her first solo project was "No Turning Back" released in April 2013. The CD contains a soulful and jazzy mix of songs declaring gospel truths and encouraging messages about love and life; Artie Dixson-Tyler is the daughter of Pastor Emeritus H.B. Dixson of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she has served as choir director for 46 years. She has appeared on the Dr. Bobby Jones show as a soloist. She has toured with many gospel musicals over the years. She is host of the gospel talk show, "Heart to Heart." She is a lead psalmist with Stella Award-winning and Grammy and Dove nominated gospel choir, Ricky Dillard and New G, who's song "Amazing" is currently number one on the Billboard gospel charts; Evangelist Arlivia Henry, is an amazing woman of God with an anointed voice. She has performed in numerous plays at McCree Theatre, including Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round and Black Nativity. The event will also feature surprise awards to several phenomenal women.

In addition to honoring each Phenomenal Woman, each honoree will showcase her considerable gifts and talent during the festival. A Festival of Phenomenal Women is made possible by a Share Art grant administered by the Greater Flint Arts Council and funded by the Ruth Mott Foundation. Contact Charles H. Winfrey for additional information at (810) 787-2200.