persephone productions please check out the new merch i have available - and don't forget to get a ticket to the fundraiser on july 29th! 3:02 AM Jul 20 view more
About me: Persephone Productions is a fledgling dance film production company and event planning organization. As it grows, Persephone Productions will offer more and better jobs to dancers of all shapes and sizes with strong training in ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap & swing. Amid today's dwindling arts funding, Persephone Productions will emerge and flourish as a unique outlet for dancers, and attract mainstream audiences to the art of dance.
Recently, Persephone Productions has expanded to include event planning, starting with a fundraiser to purchase a prosthetic leg for 19 year old dance student and cancer survivor Evan Ruggiero. There is open bar from 9 till 10pm [Voli Vodka, Bud, Bud Light, and red & white wines], a silent auction, a standup comic host, and a rock band as the headliner.
7/30/09: Thank you to everyone who attended! The fundraiser rocked the roof off! Everyone had an amazing time, and Evan's family is very grateful to know so many of you care so much!
If you didn't make it to the fundraiser, you can still donate money - click the banner below to make a donation via PayPal from now till August 31st:
Extra special thanks to the following people for their time & their support of the fundraiser:
-- Rubix Kube
-- Collette McLafferty
-- Paulie Z
-- Craig Simon
-- Marcus Linial at the Canal Room
-- Ted Alexandro
-- Fiction Plane
-- Curtis Granderson of the New York Yankees
Rubix Kube:
Rubix Kube rocks the Canal Room in NYC every Thursday & Saturday evenings. They are a 6 piece ensemble with 2 lead singers cranking out all your favorite 80s hits. The band is comprised of experienced professional musicians who perform every song true to its original form. Rubix Kube is more than just a tribute band - it's a screaming Delorean thrill ride back in time.
Rubix Kube: the ultimate 80s tribute band
Collette McLafferty & Paulie Z:
Collette is the founder & lead singer of the alternative powerpop ensemble Edible Red. Paulie Z is the lead singer of the Brooklyn based rock trio ZO2. Two experienced musicians with diverse backgrounds, Collette & Paulie have both have flexible vocal ranges which capture the lighter side of music but then turn to blow you out of the water with a tidal wave of power. Collette & Paulie crashed the fundraiser to rock out with Twisted Crue and to make a generous donation for this important event.
Collette McLafferty/Edible RedPaulie Z/ZO2
Ted Alexandro:
Ted Alexandro is one of the finest comedians working today. A seasoned performer, Ted has had many appearances on David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, the View, Craig Ferguson, and has been featured on 2 Comedy Central specials. Click the link below to read Ted's bio, check his schedule, and see clips of him in action:
Ted Alexandro
Canal Room:
The Canal Room features a dynamic space for hosting concerts, private parties, and corporate events. This oversized venue is fully equipped with a stage, superb quality sound, video & lighting systems, and DJ booth. A thoroughly professional security staff awaits you at the door, and a courteous service staff awaits you inside. Many thanks to Marcus Linial at the Canal Room for graciously offering his venue to this event.
Canal Room NYC
Craig Simon:
Craig has been a session musician on over 100 records for various artists throughout the country playing guitar, banjo, piano, mandolin and singing harmony. He previously worked as a staff songwriter for Sony Music in Nashville, and as a studio musician for Rotation Records (based in Nashville, Tennessee also). Craig very generously donated a guitar to our silent auction. Craig is also a cancer survivor.
Fiction Plane:
Fiction Plane is a British indie rock trio led by Joe Sumner, son of Sting. This 3 piece ensemble sings big, plays big, & consistently delivers a sound far beyond their size. Fiction Plane is currently on tour in Europe & was unable to participate in the fundraiser, but very graciously promoted it online, helping to raise awareness all over the world for this important event.
Fiction Plane
Curtis Granderson:
Curtis Granderson plays center field for the New York Yankees. When he's not on the playing field, he's dedicating his time to numerous charitable causes throughout the country. Since 2008 Curtis has focused on the Grand Kids Foundation, an education-based organization he founded. This program provides school supplies to needy families, and establishes baseball programs in Michigan's inner cities. Curtis very graciously offered his assistance by promoting our fundraiser online.
Grand Kids Foundation
Evan Ruggiero:
Evan is a dance student & musician living in New Jersey. He has been bravely battling cancer this past year and despite his recent leg amputation, has remained strong and is still determined to continue dancing when he gets his prosthetic leg. Below is a video of Evan from last fall - he's the lead singer in rock/ska band Jolly Rotten Skeletons:
Please check out more from the band here on MySpace:
Jolly Rotten Skeletons
Evan's biography will continue to be updated as more information is provided; please continue to check back.
Buy stuff! Merch from CafePress.com:
Shirts, bags, and other items designed by Persephone Productions are now available for sale on CafePress.com; a portion of the sales collected from July 18 through October 31 will be donated to Evan.
Previous Project:
"sullen" is the first film from Persephone Productions and tells the story of the adoring romance between Penelope & Jeremy, and the tragedy that later breaks them apart. The photographs in the gallery are stills taken from "sullen." Many thanks to everyone on Myspace who contributed money and/or words of support; it has meant everything to me, and given me much inspiration to continue my work.
