Doors at 7:30 | Show at 8:30
All ages are welcome.
Free parking is available in the lot across the street until full.
HIPHOP n SOUL is exactly that... A blend of choice cuts from two of Portland's very own... ronnie WRIGHT & the one and only VURSATYL! Come vibe with us as we serve up iconic hits, blended with original creativity and flow. Catch a couple of tunes that you surely know... and original flavors from the NW.
Join Alberta Abbey and host Elevate Unity as they cap off an extraordinary month long tribute to black music, with an unparalleled showcase of soul music styles and talent.
Experience the spiritual essence of the music that defined a disparaging yet hopeful time in the social movement history of America.
Portland's own Ronnie Wright, soul music and gospel pioneer brings his silky-smooth singer-songwriter talents to the stage. His band features a mix of the best in PDX. He's also invited some special guests including contemporary vocal powerhouse Alonzo Chadwick of Zoulful Music plus legendary hip hop ambassador Vursatyl.
The lineup is epic, the music Is intentional and inspiring with a message for these times.
Don't miss this community unity celebration.
With cuisine provided by Southern Grill catering Creole Cajun BBQ specialties...
Join us and support the music and mission!
Elevate Unity, Inc. https://elevateunity.org/
https://www.soundstageevents.com/
ronnieWRIGHT
Ronnie is a dreamer, blessed with parents who allowed him to explore and express creativity through art and music. In fact, music was more like family. His love for God and family sparks his desire to be a blessing to others. This greatly influences his creative language, purpose & spiritual connection.
“MUSIC moves me”
The year 2015 marked a huge win for Ronnie. His collaborative vision, entitled BESPEAL LOVE reached #1 on the UK SOUL CHARTS - November 2015. The album also received artist of the year (editor’s choice) from the highly recognized SOULTRACKS.com
His 2018 debut solo album, a.k.a.BESPEAK, was voted 2018’s ALBUM OF THE YEAR by Groundbreakers.com. This album was blessed to receive several awards from the indie radio community, such as: #1 Album of 2018 - Mi-Soul Connoisseurs, #1 on the UK SOULCHARTS - March 2018, #8 on the UK SOULCHART Top 100 for 2018 and many more! Ronnies second collaborative (BESPEAK EMPOWER – 2021) features some of the Northwest most talented singers/songwriters, and musicians. The mission was the same… collaboration… but this time he featured an eclectic mix of soul, funk, rnB, & Gospel… This is a true reflection of the NW!!
“DESIGN with purpose”
Although Ronnie loves to create music, he never settled with just one form of art. He was blessed to design for Adidas Mecca, Pony, AND 1, Jordan and currently at Nike. He is the first ever African American VP of footwear design in Nike’s history. His biggest learning lessons within the world of design is to Be a sponge. Seek meaningful direction when creating. And Collaborate to gain group perspective. He applies this philosophy to his music as well!
“GIVE LOVE away”
Ronnie is a huge fan of the famous Christian band Commissioned. Their song “Give Love Away” inspires his actions to do just that.
“There is a desire for individual expression within each of us that BESPEAKS our persona, style, culture, and beliefs”….
“ALLOW ME TO SPEAK”
VURSATYL
Vursatyl came to international attention as a member of the Portland, Oregon-based Hip Hop group Lifesavas in 1997. With the group and as a solo artist, Vursatyl has toured extensively with De La Soul, Talib Kweli, Slum Village, and Little Brother to name just a few. As well as collaborating and recording music with George Clinton, Smif-N-Wessun , Digable Planets’ lead MC Ishmael, Camp Lo, Dead Prez and most recently Run The Jewels. After honing his craft for over 30 years in the music business VURSATYL is a seasoned veteran in his own right.
In 2021, Vursatyl was inducted into The Oregon Music Hall Of Fame as a member of Lifesavas.
With praises from Rolling Stone, XXL, The Source, and URB Magazines, an official Vursatyl solo album has been anticipated and eminent. In 2015 Vursatyl released an EP entitled ‘Crooked Straights’ that Okayplayer called one of the top indie releases of the year. Crooked Straights was nominated for Germany’s “Best Hip Hop Album” award alongside nominees such as Tyler The Creator. As well the project led to the ‘Crooked Straights Mix’ collaboration with Maseo of De La Soul.
Vursatyl has a new full-length album on the way produced by Nottz, S1 aka Symbolic One, Jake One, & Vitamin D. He is currently releasing an onslaught of pace-setting singles leading up to the album. Most of which feature his new artist and protege Lunden Benard. Lunden Benard is a young producer and MC based in Atlanta, Georgia.
ALONZO CHADWICK
Alonzo Chadwick possesses an incredible vocal range, and an amazing voice that can perform almost any genre. He’s been hailed as one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier male vocalist, with an energetic stage presence that brings peace and joy to all who listen. When he sings, it’s an experience that gives you chills and is guaranteed to touch the core of your being. He has genuine compassion and desires to see people sincerely touched, impacted, and changed through his gift of song. He’s a reoccurring soloist with the Grammy-nominated Oregon Symphony for the last 16years and has shared the stage with artists such as; Josh Groban, Bobby Bublè, Israel Houghton, Kirk Franklin, John P Kee, William Murphy, India Arie, CeCe Winans, Jason Nelson, Lena Byrd-Miles, Crystal AikIn, Pink Martini, David Banner, Storm Large, Orchestra Conductor Dr. Charles Floyd, and the late greats Linda Hornbuckle & Janice Scroggins. Chadwick also was a headliner with the Maryland Symphony. He’s also had the highest honor of performing for keynote speakers such as civil rights activist Myrlie Evers (wife of the late Medgar Evers) and the late icons Congressman John Lewis & Dr. C.T. Vivian. Chadwick is also a poet, has acted and been a regular in local and national productions, and recently performed on Broadway. He was the CEO of BRAVO Youth Orchestras (a local nonprofit that teaches music education to underserved youth) from April of 2021 to May of 2023. More recently, you can catch him on the Nike commercial for LeBron James as the main voiceover for the commercial honoring him for breaking the record as the new highest-scoring NBA player in history. Chadwick’s highest honor is Giving God glory through his gifts. But being a father and husband is his greatest accomplishment.