The Salvation Army in Compton Unveils Affordable Recording Studio in Talent-rich, yet Impoverished, Area

The Salvation Army in Compton, with the help of a generous grant from the Mustard Seed Foundation, is revealing a unique addition to the variety of social services it provides – a brand new, state-of–the-art music recording studio. Compton, while still plagued by poverty and unemployment, is an up-and-coming community in its own right, and one that includes numerous talented musicians. For many young people in the neighborhood, taking classes or renting a music studio is unattainable, but The Salvation Army Compton Corps Community Center is changing that and giving youth the chance to follow their dreams through music.

The new professional, low-cost music recording studio will help the Corps in its mission to meet the community’s unprecedented need for food assistance – demand for the Corps’ food pantry has increased ten-fold in the past few years. The studio will also provide a platform for underprivileged, but talented, youth who have the desire to pursue productive paths in life, as well as professional development opportunities and classes for those interested in music careers. The grand opening on June 15 is free, open to the public and will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and performances featuring prominent music industry artists, as well as an art exhibition and sale.

Images from the Event provided by Dawn Wright.

WHEN:
Tuesday, June 15, 2010: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
* Music Artist Red Carpet Arrivals / Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: 5:30 p.m.
* Artist Showcase Performances: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; * After Party: 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.

WHERE:
The Salvation Army Compton Corps Community Center: 736 E. Compton Blvd. Compton

VISUALS:
* Red carpet artist arrivals; ribbon-cutting ceremony; the new music studio in action; musical performances of prominent figures from local Hip Hop scene

WHO:
Confirmed: - Salvation Army (Compton Corps Captains, advisory board, patrons, children from community, Lt. Colonels Victor A. and Rose-Marie Leslie, Divisional Headquarters); Lil Eazy E, Compton rapper/son of pioneer Eazy E.; J. Blue, Top Hip Hop artist; Remnant, Hip Hop artist; Tha Kollective, Hip Hop duo; Erika Chan, mixed media painter and founder of Sound.Art.Media.; Stephanie De Roo, cartoonist; Caesar D. Alzate Jr., gallery painter and sculptor; Noemi Barajas, painter; Lori Hammond, painter; Marcus Johnson, illustrator; Leftjoe Torres, cartoonist; Alex
Correa Jr., graffiti/tattoo artist; Kim Au, graphic designer/cartoonist

Invited: - Local Elected Officials; Mack 10, West Coast rap pioneer; Marvin Watkins, former record executive for Priority Records; Justified, Christian rap artist; Black, positive rap artist and clothing designer; Mz. Prissy, crump dancer featured in RIZE; Mercedes, gospel singer; Lil Niqo, 11-year-old rap sensation

MORE:
The recording studio is open to the community to rent at nominal prices. It will augment the range of services the center offers, including: low-cost gym; refurbished NBA-regulation quality basketball court; after-school tutoring; summer day camp; computer lab; teen center; soup kitchen; free food distribution; low-cost counseling; parenting classes; debt-consolidation and financial literacy classes;
weekly worship services and Bible study; and the Educated Ballers youth league basketball and tutoring. The Compton Corps Community Center has been helping families for more than 35 years.