2012 MAUI INVITATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS EVENTS IN HONOR OF DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

The 2012 Maui Invitational Music Festival presents singer and actress Freda Payne in a musical tribute in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Thursday, February 2, 2012. Pre-show festivities begin at 6:30pm in the McCoy

Courtyard and feature a performance by blended gospel choirs. Vocalists Sheryl Renee and Mauis own Clay Mortensen open the show in the McCoy Studio Theater with Manao Radio personality Kathy Collins

as mistress of ceremonies. Tickets are $30 and are available at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center Box Office or www.MauiArts.org or 808/242- SHOW (7469).

Best known for her 1970 hit single Band of Gold, Payne has also appeared in films, television and Broadway. She has worked with such luminaries as Quincy Jones, Pearl Bailey and Bill Cosby, recorded 21 albums and toured around the world. Her acting credits include stage productions of Aint Misbehavin with Della Reese and movies such as The Nutty Professor II and The Klumps. In 2009 Payne appeared on the popular television show American Idol and sang her multi-million-selling hit, Band of Gold. She joined Kanye West, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streistand and many more artists in 2010 to record the remake of We Are The World for Haiti Relief.

As a prelude to her concert Ms. Payne invites the public to join her on Wednesday, February 1 at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua at 6:30pm for an intimate evening of talking story about her road to stardom and

beyond. Following Talk Story with Freda Payne, all are invited to attend a gospel choir workshop at 7:30pm. The workshop is led by Minister Reggie Smith. Smith, an ordained minister currently serving as the Minister of Music at the Antioch Baptist Church in Youngstown,

Ohio, is also a producer, lyricist, composer and recording artist. Admission to both appearances is free.

On Friday, February 3 at 5:30pm vocalist Sheryl Renee and Friends accompanied by Brian Cuomo on piano will perform jazz and pop standards in a musical tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. to celebrate Black History Month. Songstress, recording artist, and actress Sheryl

Renee has shared the stage with some of the best musicians in the world and has the ability to cover most styles of music with her three octave range. Last year, she wowed a standing room only crowd at The Ritz with her impersonation of Ella Fitzgerald. The evening

features cabaret-style seating in the Anuenue Room with food and beverage available for purchase.

Mahalo to AECGs supporters for these events: County of Maui Office of Economic Development, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Manao Radio, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and SR Productions.