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1) Can't Keep A Good Woman Down! Listen and buy at CDBaby.com
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A Letter from Sista MonicaSista Monica Parker
April 18, 2006
Dear Friends and Family, Oprah Winfrey, Coretta Scott King, Bishop Yvette Flunder – Sr. Pastor at City Of Refuge in San Francisco, CA, and Ramogene Parker are the four women who have significantly influenced my life. They have been great examples of perseverance in their commitment to the gospel, spirituality, civil rights, music, and humanity. Approaching 50 years, I will celebrate life and living on Saturday, May 6th, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in Santa Cruz, California. We will sing, dance in the aisles, and shout in the beautiful concert venue of First Congregational Church, located at 900 High Street in Santa Cruz, California. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. so you can meet and greet new and old friends with “like minds and like hearts”.
Fortunately, I hear and heed the crucial call for compassion, social justice, and support for those less fortunate and marginalized. My initial call was when I was sick, and saw Oprah on a TV special, challenging all of us to do something to help the orphans in Africa, living with HIV/AIDS. Then, I heard Bishop Flunder at the One Voice Gospel Gala 2006 discuss the Yvette A. Flunder Foundation Inc. that sends funds, technical and educational resources to various orphanages and health institutions, helping to establish a self-sustaining farm for 150 AIDS orphans. They developed a gospel music concert and educational workshops with leading South African singers, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS Prevention. They also provide funds to HIV clinics and hospitals in Ghana, Uganda and South Africa. See www.sfrefuge.org Tugging at my heart is an entire nation of children (who look like me) whose parents have died of AIDS, and are desperately in need of funds and support. Therefore, I am changing my 50th birthday bash into a benefit bash to support these children. This is not a new cause. It is one that continues to be ignored because of political plights and natural disasters. I know we can make a difference! You and I have rallied to help victims of 911, The Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and cancer survivors through Women Care and Healing Journey’s “Cancer As A Turning Point” conferences. We have much to be grateful for in this day and age. Thank God for keeping me, and allowing me to sing around the world from my heart to and for the people! The band and I will play, perform and sing your favorites and new original Blues, Soul and uplifting Gospel music from my latest CD “Can’t Keep A Good Woman Down”. This CD has recently earned me a nomination of “Best Soul Blues Female” in the same category with Mavis Staples, Denise Williams and Irma Thomas. I am honored to be included with such legendary women. This W.C. Handy Award nomination is a Grammy equivalent from The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. See www.sistamonica.com Also there will be a magical choral ensemble delivering powerful background and lead vocals with me. My church — City of Refuge’s Praise Ensemble is coming to sing praises. The concert begins with my personal favorite band from Los Angeles, California, The Delgado Brothers — offering a blend of contemporary Latino blues and roots. While we contribute to others, let’s sing and dance, making this an evening to be remembered. Cake will be served! Tickets $20.00 Gateway Bookstore 831-429-9600 for credit cards and will call. Also available at Streetlight Records located at 939 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 831- 421-9200. All tickets are subject to a city tax or surcharge. Join us for this extraordinary evening of music, awareness and celebration of life and living. RVSP at sistamonica@cruzio.com then we will know you are joining us. God Bless you all! Warm regards, Sista Monica |
Since completing treatments in 2004, I have passed 5 scans and proven cancer free. I am a survivor, thriving with purpose and full of new meaning for life! In addition to being my mother’s primary caregiver, I continue to consult and recruit engineering managers for Yahoo Corporation, am a minister of music at Center For Spiritual Enlightenment – (CSE) and other churches, own and operate Mo Muscle Records & Entertainment, and am a member of the Board of Directors for Healing Journeys. I recently returned from Paris, France on a two-week concert engagement as Blues, Soul and Gospel singer and recording artist Sista Monica Parker. My band and I were invited to perform at the prestigious Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in the Le Meridian Hotel. Yes! God has granted me favor!