United Entertainment to "Party with a Purpose" for At-Risk Youth

DALLAS, TX, July 03, 2011 (Press-News.org) United Entertainment, Inc., of Dallas, Texas, announced last Tuesday an ambitious jazz concert benefit for at-risk youth. "We're going to Party with a Purpose," said Karen P. Smith, CEO and Founder of UEI. The "Jazzin' It Up" event, set to take place on August 27th 2011 at 6:00pm with a VIP reception at 4:00pm. UEI announced the solidification of two top ten jazz artists, Alex Bugnon and Tim Bowman, as the headline entertainment. The benefit promises to bring hundreds, if not thousands, of North Texas jazz fans and community leaders to Texas Christian University's Ed Landreth Hall.

UEI, a grassroots non-profit, began earlier this year with a mission toward benefitting prevention programs catered toward at-risk youth. "Our young adults are our future. In this time of recession, it's important to keep that in mind. The legacy we live is the legacy we give. " Said Smith. "We spend millions of dollars every year on a social band-aid of sorts by building more prisons. We have a quarter of the world's prison population behind bars here in the United States alone.1 However, studies continually show us that prevention programs do in fact keep youth out of the system, at a great savings to the taxpayer. In this financially unstable time, it just makes sense."

UEI, growing at a rapid rate, has gained tremendous momentum since its inception. The first event, UEI's "Community Founded, Community Grounded" benefit on May 28, 2011 was a monumental success. Attending the event was Jim Lane, runner-up for the Fort Worth Mayor's office, with nationally known top ten jazz artist Darren Rahn providing entertainment. The opening act was performed by "This and That", a local jazz band. Shortly after the launch, UEI brought its message to the streets, so to speak, and into the schools. The organization precipitated at an event at Glen Crest 6th Grade School in Fort Worth on June 6, 2011. The school, under the leadership of Principal Rodney White, was once regarded as one of the worst schools to now being recognized as one of Fort Worth ISD's best in only a year.

For Smith, this is just the beginning. "The future looks bright, not just locally but nationally. We're turning guns into guitars."

Links

http://www.unitedentertainment.us
http://www.darrenrahn.com
http://www.alexbugnon.com
http://www.timbowman.com
http://www.jazzinitup.eventbright.com

References

1. Adam Liptak, "U.S. Prison Population Dwarfs that of Other Nations." New York Times, April 23, 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/world/americas/23iht- 23prison.12253738.html.

Contact Information:

Karen P. Smith
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
United Entertainment, Inc.
817.768.1964 Office
8'7.768.1965 Fax
kpsmith@unitedentertainment.us E-Mail

Michael Norton
Chief Executive Officer
NightTHRiVE Media and Marketing Group, LLC
214.919.4950 x111 Office
214.919.4950 Fax
Michael.Norton@NightTHRiVE.us E-Mail