Greetings!
Thank you for visiting the Celeste Bateman & Associates website. We are a licensed booking agency specializing in Afro-centric programming.
Plans are in the works for a city-wide celebration of poet/activist Amiri Baraka in recognition of his 75th Birthday, October 2009. There will be jazz performances, poetry readings, a gala, an art exhibition and other public programs. Please visit "News and Reviews" for details.
Affiliated artists actress Danielle Renee Thompson and saxophonist Willie Williams (pictured right) were well received when they performed several works by the late Newark poet Halim Suliman at the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers (CNJG) holiday luncheon hosted by long time friend and CNJG President, Nina Stack,this past December.
We recently promoted Trilogy Opera Company's performance ofDarfur, Darfur: A Dramatic Cantata . On the heals of their successful production of Emmett Till: The Opera about a Chicago boy whose brutal murder in 1955 in the Mississippi Delta came to symbolize the start of the Civil Rights movement in America, Trilogy: An Opera Company presented Darfur, Darfur: A Dramatic Cantata by Michael Raphael. Trilogy’s artistic director, Kevin Maynor, once again, unleashed his cadre of talented opera singers to raise awareness of Darfur a war-torn region in western Sudan, Africa. The event was held October 16, 2008 at the WISOMMM Cultural Center in downtown Newark, NJ. Please read the full details in our "News and Reviews."
We recently promoted Trilogy Opera Company's performance of
We recently worked with Umoja Dance Company in the promotion of Wofabe: African Dance & Drum Festival . Umoja Dance Company (Umojadance.com) a New Jersey-based, multi-cultural company of dancers founded in 1993 by Karen Love, presented Wofabe: African Dance and Drum Festival 2008 at Science Park High School in Newark, New Jersey. The festival was held three days from October 24 through October 26, 2008. The event, presented in collaboration with Performing Arts Services, is the only African dance and drum festival of its kind in the state. Renowned choreographer, Baba Chuck Davis, Founder and Artistic Director of the African American Dance Ensemble, served as host. Please read the full story in our "News and Reviews" section. (Pictured: Kulu Mele)
We welcome the newest member of the Nia Network, renowned mystery writer Valerie Wilson Welsey. Her latest novel from the Tamara Hayle series, Of Blood and Sorrow, hit book shelves in February 2008.
Actor Jamil A.C. Mangan performed with an outstanding cast in a stirring production of Camp Logan written by Celeste Bedford Walker and directed by Chuck Patterson at the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts, Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY. "...Walker's WWI military drama is a depiction of a true historical incident that offers a riveting glimpse into the hearts and souls of seven soldiers..." Other members of the cast were Mark Lang, Marvin K. Jefferson, Victor Dickson, Ron Wilks, Gary McNeill, Jahi Dasa Taquara and T.C. Carson. The play closed November 9 after a two-week run.
Several of our music clients, including Bradford Hayes, Sherry Winston and Spirit of Life Ensemble, recently released new CDs and our visual artists have been extremely busy with exhibitions around the country and around the world.
CB&A has, over the years, has provided public relations services and special events management for the small business and non-profit communities, and technical assistance to small and emerging arts organizations in the areas of:
Cultural Programming
Program Evaluation
Cultural Diversity
Public Relations
Grant Proposals
Board Development
We are now focused on public relations and our most recent initiative, the NIA NETWORK ~ a program bureau featuring artists and speakers covering topics and art forms relative to the African Diaspora. A pdf version of our brochure is available upon request.
Public Relations
CB&A works with various organizations to enhance their visibility in the media preparing newsletters, press releases, press advisories, public service announcements; issuing calendar & event notices; preparing biographies, brochures, web content, invitations, flyers, fact sheets, annual reports and other promotional material.
The Nia Network ~ A Program Bureau
CB&A has compiled a roster of extraordinarily talented individuals to form the Nia Network, a program bureau. The artists and speakers are available to perform and present at colleges and universities, performing arts centers, corporations, festivals, trade shows, etc. and will present art forms and address topics pertinent to the African Diaspora. "Nia" is the Swahili word for 'purpose' and the purpose of this division of our company is to promote what is good and positive about the African, Caribbean, and African-American cultural experience.
Nia Network Artists
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to take on additional artists/speakers at this time, but please feel free to forward your information for future consideration.
Brief Bio
Celeste Bateman, a licensed booking agent, started her company, Celeste Bateman & Associates (CB&A), in September 1997. Her business caters primarily to small businesses, cultural and non-profit organizations.
Prior to starting her business, Ms. Bateman was cultural affairs supervisor for the City of Newark. Prior to her service with the city, she was the program coordinator at The Newark Museum. She also served as interim executive director of the Newark Arts Council, a non-profit organization that serves the city’s artists and arts organizations
Ms. Bateman is a freelance writer and in 1999, she wrote and produced the Gospel play, We’ve Got the Victory which was performed in New York City and at various venues in New Jersey. One of her short stories was published in former BET talk show host, Tavis Smiley’s book Keeping the Faith which won an NAACP Image Award in 2003. She is currently working on a book of essays, poems and recipes entitled Fall Back and Let the Universe Catch You.
Ms. Bateman received her B.A. in Theatre Arts and Speech from Rutgers University and holds a Masters in Communication Arts from Montclair State University.
Special Notes
Visit our News and Reviews section as we update it on a regular basis to keep you apprised of our artists' and speakers' activities. Also, you can hear samples of our musicians' music by going to The Nia Network and clicking "more" under each musician's bio. Celeste Bateman & Associates is a licensed booking ageny and a certified Women/Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) in the State of New Jersey.
Enjoy!
Photos: Celeste Bateman, Amiri Baraka, Danielle Thompson & Willie Williams, Kulu Mele, Valerie Wilson Wesley, the cast of Camp Logan
Celeste Bateman & Associates Booking Agency
NJ Lic. No. BW0430900
Celeste Bateman, Booking Agent
NJ Lic. No. BA1740000
Several of our music clients, including Bradford Hayes, Sherry Winston and Spirit of Life Ensemble, recently released new CDs and our visual artists have been extremely busy with exhibitions around the country and around the world.
CB&A has, over the years, has provided public relations services and special events management for the small business and non-profit communities, and technical assistance to small and emerging arts organizations in the areas of:
Program Evaluation
Cultural Diversity
Public Relations
Grant Proposals
Board Development
We are now focused on public relations and our most recent initiative, the NIA NETWORK ~ a program bureau featuring artists and speakers covering topics and art forms relative to the African Diaspora. A pdf version of our brochure is available upon request.
Public Relations
CB&A works with various organizations to enhance their visibility in the media preparing newsletters, press releases, press advisories, public service announcements; issuing calendar & event notices; preparing biographies, brochures, web content, invitations, flyers, fact sheets, annual reports and other promotional material.
The Nia Network ~ A Program Bureau
CB&A has compiled a roster of extraordinarily talented individuals to form the Nia Network, a program bureau. The artists and speakers are available to perform and present at colleges and universities, performing arts centers, corporations, festivals, trade shows, etc. and will present art forms and address topics pertinent to the African Diaspora. "Nia" is the Swahili word for 'purpose' and the purpose of this division of our company is to promote what is good and positive about the African, Caribbean, and African-American cultural experience.
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PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to take on additional artists/speakers at this time, but please feel free to forward your information for future consideration.
Brief Bio
Celeste Bateman, a licensed booking agent, started her company, Celeste Bateman & Associates (CB&A), in September 1997. Her business caters primarily to small businesses, cultural and non-profit organizations.
Prior to starting her business, Ms. Bateman was cultural affairs supervisor for the City of Newark. Prior to her service with the city, she was the program coordinator at The Newark Museum. She also served as interim executive director of the Newark Arts Council, a non-profit organization that serves the city’s artists and arts organizations
Ms. Bateman is a freelance writer and in 1999, she wrote and produced the Gospel play, We’ve Got the Victory which was performed in New York City and at various venues in New Jersey. One of her short stories was published in former BET talk show host, Tavis Smiley’s book Keeping the Faith which won an NAACP Image Award in 2003. She is currently working on a book of essays, poems and recipes entitled Fall Back and Let the Universe Catch You.
Ms. Bateman received her B.A. in Theatre Arts and Speech from Rutgers University and holds a Masters in Communication Arts from Montclair State University.
Special Notes
Visit our News and Reviews section as we update it on a regular basis to keep you apprised of our artists' and speakers' activities. Also, you can hear samples of our musicians' music by going to The Nia Network and clicking "more" under each musician's bio. Celeste Bateman & Associates is a licensed booking ageny and a certified Women/Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) in the State of New Jersey.
Enjoy!
Photos: Celeste Bateman, Amiri Baraka, Danielle Thompson & Willie Williams, Kulu Mele, Valerie Wilson Wesley, the cast of Camp Logan
Celeste Bateman & Associates Booking Agency
NJ Lic. No. BW0430900
Celeste Bateman, Booking Agent
NJ Lic. No. BA1740000
By God's grace, all will be well!