AFABW Networking and Showcase Event

Steve Spataro

May 1, 2010 – Hollywood: Tonight, Artists For A Better World (AFABW) held a Networking and Showcase Event at Celebrity Centre International. The event featured music, entertainment and presentations, as well as a buffet dinner and socializing.

Leaders of associated art groups gave brief talks about their activities while musical performances filled the evening with inspirational songs. Guests enjoyed a variety of good food, as well as tasty music provided by Charlie Cox, who cooked up an instrumental feast on his guitar.

Songwriter and keyboard player, Michelle Krell, performed her own compositions, supported by 30-year veteran bass player Bozz, and by Keaton Prescott on guitar.  Michelle has also helped to organize the songwriters showcases at some of the recent AFABW arts festivals.

Richard Stewart was the Master-of-Ceremonies and kept the event fun and rollicking throughout the evening. Richard is the Co-Founder of the Renaissance Speakers Toastmasters Club, Co-Founder of the Laughworks comedy group, President of the Sunland-Tujunga Rotary Club, a human rights activist, and long-time supporter of AFABW.

David Bartlets, Executive Director of the Celebrity Centre Writers Association, gave a talk about the group’s educational activities and emphasized that the Writers Association supports writers of all forms. David has worked on more than 120 films, including Pulp Fiction, Speed and Total Recall, in a Hollywood career that has spanned 30 years.

Steve Spataro is the life force of the AFABW Musician’s Association.  He performed two of his original songs and also gave a talk on the successes of the Talent Night events that he produces, which are open to all performers. Steve is a well-seasoned musician with over 15 years as a music educator and also works for a non-profit (PS Arts), which places arts education teachers in the LA public schools.

President of Artists For A Better World International, George Alger, discussed the various AFABW Int compilation properties, such as poetry books, short story books, fine art calendars, and music CDs that promote global artists. He also highlighted one of the purposes of the group, which is using aesthetics to create a better world through whatever means are dear to each artist’s heart. Further, he showed and discussed the Way To Happiness booklet with an AFABW Int custom cover, which contains 21 basic principles that guide one to a better quality of life. For the past 10 years, George has been the Executive Producer for the various AFABW Int compilation properties and related media, such as public access TV Shows, and Internet media, which helps to promote AFABW Int artists throughout the world.

Susan Boughton represented the Renaissance Speakers and gave a humorous presentation about public speaking and the value of Toastmasters to artists and all who desire to communicate more effectively to groups of people. Susan is an active volunteer in local community activities, especially through her role with the Sunland-Tujunga Rotary Club and is also on the board of directors for the “good news” newspaper, Voice Of The Village.

DeeDee O’Malley is a multiple award-winning singer/songwriter/producer and has helped hundreds of aspiring musicians as a songwriting educator in colleges and music schools around the country.  As a long-time supporter of AFABW, Deedee delivers a popular seminar on songwriting at the annual AFABW Arts Festival and has also produced musicians showcases at Celebrity Centre, and taken part in other AFABW events. Tonight she performed two of her compositions and encouraged the audience to contribute their talents to AFABW and associated art groups.

Marcia Powell is the Director of the Church of Scientology Choir, which she founded in 1974. The group has performed on National TV numerous times over the years, as well as at countless community events. Tonight she not only presented a few choice choral pieces with select members of the choir, she further delighted the attendees with entertaining audience interaction, including everyone as part of the musical performance.

Special thanks to the following who worked as a team to make the event a success:

  • George Alger: Video Producer
  • David Bartlett: Director/Script Writer
  • Larry Williams: Stage Manager, Sound and Lights
  • Petrina Sharp: Art Displays and Set Ups
  • Marty Buttwinick: Set Ups
  • Charlie Cox: Reception Entertainment
  • Yvonne Harrington: Reception
  • Chris Barclay: Reception
  • Jean Nichols: Food Set Ups
  • Vanessa Guerrero: Food Set Ups
  • Vanessa Guerrero: Food Set Ups

Artists For A Better World International is dedicated to building a worldwide network of artists who share a vision of creating a better world through aesthetics and is open to artists and art enthusiasts of all religions, nationalities, creeds, races and cultures.