TAX REFUND FOR YOUR SOUL

TAX REFUND FOR YOUR SOUL: A Tax Year-End Celebration on April 15 th at Manhattan Center's Studio 8 Lounge (Hammerstein Ballroom 8 th Floor) from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

On the evening of April 15th , the corner of 34 th Street and 8 th Avenue will be buzzing with people for two reasons: last minute income tax filers frantically submitting their forms, and people celebrating the end of another tax season with the inauguration of Renee Sebastian's “ Taste It Before It Bursts ”, a monthly musical event featuring live performances from local independent and emerging soul artists Kierstin Gray , Oveous Maximus , Tarrah Reynolds , Renee Sebastian , A.D. Skolar , and Norman Vladimir at the Manhattan Center's Studio 8 Lounge (Hammerstein Ballroom 8 TH Floor ) from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m .

Renee Sebastian is nothing short of remarkable. Since the independent release of her first single “Deliciously Dangerous” in 2004, this neo-soul singer/songwriter/producer has received a Billboard World Song Contest Award , was named one of the Top 5 Vocalists by Singer Universe Magazine , and was chosen as the “R&B pick of the week” by Billboard Magazine , to name a few. She has also graced the pages of Billboard , eScene , Hpyhen , Right On! , Women , San Jose Mercury News , and New Music Weekly .

Senior Editor, Michael Paoletta , of Billboard magazine writes , "The R&B landscape is chockablock with female singers. Today's newcomers-the talented and the wannabes-must work that much harder to get their respective voices heard. On this, her debut, talented Bay Area artist Renee Sebastian shows that she is up for the task."

In February 2006, in preparation for her long-awaited EP release entitled Reneessance , Renee Sebastian came to New York City with the intention of establishing herself in the music scene by performing at premier venues. In less than two weeks, this determined artist secured a performance at the famous S.O.B.'s , a difficult achievement for any independent artist.

Realizing that talented independent artists do not generally get the same opportunity, Renee formed “ Taste It Before It Bursts ”, a monthly musical event at the Manhattan Center's Studio 8 Lounge in the Hammerstein Ballroom , where listeners may sample the best underground soul-inspired music and poetry from a collective of emerging artists, on the cusp of breaking into mainstream. “Although many of New York City's popular venues accept submissions from independent artists, a select few take chances on booking them for fear that they may not fill the venue's capacity.   I decided to pull together the best and most-deserving talents in the city and proposed the showcase idea to executives of the Manhattan Center.   It is really refreshing to know that this premier venue still supports the independent spirit and that they would trust in me to showcase the highest caliber of talents.”

The artists performing alongside Renee Sebastian for this April 15th celebration are:

Kierstin Gray , acoustic guitar R&B soul singer-songwriter based in Manhattan, who has been featured nationally via XM Satellite Radio and NPR's All Songs Considered and has performed at World AIDS Day Commemorations, Musicians on Call and NOW's Code Red Rally

Oveous Maximus , mesmerizing and soulful spoken word poet, MC, and a native New Yorker whose television features include NBC and UPN for Showtime at the Apollo and ESPN2's reality hit series “ I'd Do Anything ” and whose publication features include The Good Apple . OVe is also one of four poets starring in the film “ SPIT ” due out in theaters this summer 2006.

Tarrah Reynolds , soul-funk violinist and Brooklyn resident who attended the prestigious Julliard school, whose debut performance was with Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at the young age of 12, and has performed alongside Kanye West , Lauryn Hill , Maxwell , D'Angelo , and Gorillaz to name a few. She has also graced the stages of Carnegie Hall and Live 8 .

A.D. Skolar , hip hop soul MC and native son of the Bronx, the home of  hip-hop, has performed at numerous Hip-Hop hot spots throughtout New York City and the North East. From the historical stages of the Nuyorican Poetry Club and artist haven The Knitting Factory to Tufts University's Spring Fling , Skolar has captivated audiences along side performers like the Roots and Mobb Deep.

Norman Vladimir , piano pop soul singer-songwriter and recent Manhattan resident originally from the small town of Culleoka, Tennessee that has toured the Amazon River in Brazil , the isles of the Caribbean , Panama , Mexico , Australia , Singapore , Vietnam , and Hong Kong as a member of the award-winning a capella group, Virginia Gentlemen .

DJ Trademark , hip-hop soul spinner and Jamaica, Queens resident who was the co-founder and co-host of Over Ya Head, an independent hip-hop program on WSOU, 89.5 FM. He has also put on shows featuring the Rock Steady Crew , Tame One (Artifacts), Talib Kweli , Jadakiss , and more. He has also spun at Nightingles , Buttercup Lounge , Halcyon , Sputnik , Sapphire , Alphabet Lounge and is currently the resident DJ at Kili .

Silky Jones , comic for our soul that hails from Staten Island who has performed at the Uptown Comedy Club and is the resident host of Punch Lounge's open mic.

Renee Sebastian LLC presents this inaugural event in association with localcorrespondents.com and So Live Arts Management .

Renee Sebastian's “ Taste It Before It Bursts ”

Will be held on

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Studio 8 Lounge (Hammerstein Ballroom 8 TH FLOOR)

Manhattan Center

311 West 34 th Street (Between 8 th and 9 th Ave)

NY, NY

A, C, E, 1, 2, 3 to 34 th St. Penn Station

From 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

And is appropriately titled

“ Tax Refund For Your Soul ”

“We all know how stressful it is to get your taxes filed at the last minute. And after those long lines I know I deserve a drink, a chance to meet people, a moment to unwind, relax, and celebrate the end of another tax season. What better way to do this than to move your soul with music and poetry? For some, it may be the only tax relief they will get this year.”

Doors 7:30 p.m. Show 8:00 p.m.

$5 Cover Charge

21 and over only

Drink Specials:  

$3 Domestic Beer, $5 Cosmopolitans

From 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. only

The first 50 presenters of online or postcard flyers will receive a gift bag courtesy of Malin+Goetz and GoGirlsElite .

For more information on “Taste It Before It Bursts”, including inquiries on artist participation for future showcases, visit www.tasteit.reneesebastian.com