Kashmere Stage Band (aka Thunder Soul)

I want to get the word out about an independent film preview I saw recently. I don't know if you're familiar with the Kashmere Stage Band (KSB) out of Kashmere High School in Houston, TX back in the '70s, but there's a film called "Thunder Soul" that tells their story and it's scheduled to be released in theaters this fall. Below you will find the film synopsis and various links related to the band and/or film. It's already won several film festival awards and the credits indicate that it’s being presented by Jamie Foxx.

Many times, independent films that we've never heard of are nominated and walk away with Oscars. I'm hoping this one will do the same. A similar film was released several years ago about the infamous "Funk Brothers", who played behind all of those great Motown records that we grew up on. If memory serves me correctly, the film was nominated for an Oscar but didn't win.

If you're so inclined after seeing the preview, spread the word about "Thunder Soul" to people you know who might appreciate the era, music, and story enough to go and see it upon release. Let's support this film so it can receive a nomination too… or even better, win an Oscar this time!

Thunder Soul Synopsis & Links

Musical history was made in the 1970s at Kashmere High School in Houston, TX. Band leader, Conrad "Prof" Johnson, turned the school's jazz band into a legendary funk powerhouse. In 2008, his students reunited and paid tribute to the 92 year old band leader. Some hadn't played their horns in decades, but they were determined to show him and the world that "they still got it!" Release Date: September 23, 2011.

Official Website:
http://thundersoulmovie.com/

Preview on Moviefone:
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/thunder-soul/10033718/trailers

"Like" the film on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/thundersoul

"Follow" the film on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/tsmovie

Kashmere Stage Band on Google:
http://www.google.com/#q=kashmere+stage+band&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=ab08b906c4821279&hl=en&rlz=1R2ADSA_enUS404

He Lives!

Happy Easter from The Lady(Bug)!

World Autism Awareness Day Event

VCC Annual Autism Night @ Please Touch Museum

On the evening of Saturday, April 2nd, me and my hubby, daughter, son-in-law, and the grands attended this WAAD event. We had a good time and the kids really enjoyed the sliding board and the train and water tables. Normally, the cost of admission for the Please Touch Museum is $15.00/person and it's the same for everyone, one year old and up... so, the cost for an average family of four would be $60.00.

Well, thanks to the people at VCC, who sponsored the event, the cost of admission was $20.00/family and it covered the autisitc child and up to four family members. Every imagineable organization that provides programs and services for the autistic community was represented with display tables full of helpful information and valuable resources. Here are some of the photos that we took while we were there and you can click on the collages for a larger view.

For your information, a number of special events will be going on "everywhere" during the month of April for autistic children and their families, such as VCC Day @ Sesame Place on Friday, April 22nd, 10:00am. There’s no cost for registration and admission, but you must pre-register and the cost for parking is $ 25.00/vehicle. Click here to visit the VCC website for more informaton and registration.

Remember, April is Autism Awareness Month and there is no better time to explore the possibilities regarding programs, resources, and services that are available to you. As we learned at the above event, there are a lot of organizations out there that are ready to assist and serve you in a variety of ways. Also, check out my Facebook autism awareness photo album "When A Is For Autism" for more information and resources.

Did You Know?

On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, tabled by the State of Qatar, which declares April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity. Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, Consort of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, supported the campaign for a World Autism Awareness Day through the current 62nd UN General Assembly Session, garnering consensus support from all United Nations Member States.

This UN resolution is one of only three official disease-specific United Nations Days and will bring the world's attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions. The World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention. It further expresses deep concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges.

World Autism Awareness Day shines a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis. WAAD activities help to increase and develop world knowledge of the autism epidemic and impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention. Additionally, WAAD celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism and is a day when individuals with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the globe.

By bringing together autism organizations all around the world, we will give a voice to the millions of individuals worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help. Please join us in our effort to inspire compassion, inclusion, and hope.

It's Autism Awareness Month!

Let your blue light shine!
Friday, April 1st, 12:00am - Sunday, April 3rd, 12:00am

Update 04/02/11 (11:10pm): Austism Speaks, the organization that sponsors "Light It Up Blue", has a photo stream on Flickr and they encourage everyone who participates in this two-night event to upload their "blue" photos. We actually did it and you can click here to see where we are among the thousands of photos that were uploaded. In a little less than an hour, "Light It Up Blue" will come to close for this year and the blue bulb in our outer porch light will be replaced with the white bulb that was there before. But, rest assured, that blue light will continue to burn bright in our hearts everyday...