The curtain rises again...

Set in New York City, the new talent showcase series, simply titled The Stage, will present its second production on Friday, December 29th, 9:00 p.m., at Abrons Art Center, which is located at 466 Grand Street in Manhattan, New York. To be hosted by hip-hop recording artist Guru of Gangstarr, the event once again promises to deliver stellar performances by over 20 of hip-hop and R&B^Òs top unsigned and independent acts. Selected acts will then be chosen for The Stage's compilation album series, for future release on Addicted Records.

The showcase itself will be preceded by a special panel discussion on the music industry, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with the panel geared towards discussing the topic of "Getting On." Panelists include Don Morris (Founder and Creative Director, XXL Magazine); Al McLean, (Director of A&R, Universal Music Publishing); Amelia Moore (Vice President and General Manager, Bloodline Records); Donald Simms (Assistant Director, BET's 106th and Park); Rosalyn Law (Hip-Hop Promotions, Elektra Records); and Dennis Murphy (Director of Marketing, Akademics Clothing). The panel will be moderated by Shefik (President and CEO, Knight Entities, Inc.).

Constructed under intense bravado, The Stage is a talent showcase series designed to offer opportunities for unsigned and independent recording artists, comedians, and producers to display their skills in front of record company executives, casting directors, and countless other key decision makers. The series is the brainchild of Elijah Wells, President of Elijah Wells Entertainment, Inc. After coordinating some of New York City's most successful events at venues, such as Buddha Bar and Envy, Wells has unquestionably set "the stage" for his latest and greatest event to date. Last month's production of The Stage, which was hosted by Hot 97's Fatman Scoop, was so overwhelmingly successful that people had to be turned away at the door. Attendance far exceeded venue capacity!

Tickets for The Stage will be sold for $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door. The price includes both the panel discussion (7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) and the showcase itself (starting at 9:00 p.m.). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Sponsors of The Stage include Addicted Records; XXL Magazine; and Platform.net. Additional sponsorship opportunities and performance slots on upcoming productions of The Stage are currently available.

For more information, contact Elijah Wells at Elijah Wells Entertainment, Inc., 165 Concord Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, New York 11201, (917) 327-3268, EWellsE@aol.com; or Shefik at Knight Entities, Inc., 411 Bronx River Road, Suite 7F, Yonkers, New York 10704, (914) 803-0865, (810) 314-5332 FAX, KnightEntities@aol.com; http://www.KnightEntities.com.