THE NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER SEARCHES FOR PITTSBURGH’S TOP GOSPEL TALENT

Real Times Media, in partnership with the New Pittsburgh Courier will host Pittsburgh’s Gospel Showcase, Sunday, February 18, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.

The Gospel Showcase is a forum that allows local gospel artists the opportunity to perform in front of the music industry’s top music makers, while competing for cash prizes and a recording contract. Members of PAJAM, the music production and entertainment company famous for their versatile style of music, will serve as judges for the event.

Sponsored by Urban Mortgage, 1510 AM WPGR, AM 860 and 106.7 WAMO, the Gospel Showcase will take place in two phases. Auditions will be held in January 2007 at the Hill House Association, 1835 Centre Avenue in the Hill District. Twenty-four artists will be selected from the auditions to perform in the competition. Gospel fans will be able to purchase tickets at local ticket outlets.

The New Pittsburgh Courier will follow the audition process and publish the contestants that will perform in the Gospel Showcase. The newspaper will also provide information on purchasing tickets for the event, bios on the performers and of course pictures from the event and coverage of the overall winner of the showcase. Consumers can also visit www.newpittsburghcourier.com for updated information as the event develops.

Darkins Communications Coordinates University Of Pittsburgh’s Sophomore Honors Reception
For the second year, Darkins Communications will coordinate the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Arts & Sciences Sophomore Honors Reception. The annual event recognizes the student’s academic achievements. The event will be held February 20, 2007.

Darkins Communications Partners With Choice Media Group
Darkins Communications and Choice Media Group has joined together to provide businesses and organizations the latest technology in advertising – Digital Signage. Founded in 1997, Choice Media Group is a Telecommunications Service Provider offering expertise in the areas of digital cable, telephony, Internet and business communications. The company's forward thinking philosophy has allowed it to sustain a leadership position in a world of ever-changing technology. Choice Media Group continually offers the most innovative products and services in the industry. For more information, call us at 412-608-9643.

Celebrating Women: Mind, Body & Soul – a Mother’s Day Event!
The New Pittsburgh Courier, Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation in association with Darkins Communications presents a “Mother’s Day luncheon – Celebrating Women: Mind, Body & Soul” Saturday, May 13 at Dowe’s on Ninth, Downtown from Noon-3:00PM. Women in attendance will enjoy a luncheon, keynote speaker, entertainment, a silent auction, and more! Tickets are $25. For more information, pick up the New Pittsburgh Courier and stay tuned to Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation (WAMO 106.7, TALK AM 860 and 1510 AM WPGR.

"The Happenings" on TALK AM 860
Darkins Communications has its own talk show on AM 860 called “The Happenings!” The radio program, hosted by Orlana Darkins, spotlights events happening in the city of Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities. If it’s a religious, community service event or a conference or concert – you’ll hear about it on “The Happenings!” The show comes on every other Sunday on TALK AM 860 from 2:00 p.m to 2:30pm. Upcoming show dates: August 20, September 3, September 17,  October 1, October 15, October 29, November 12, November 26 … Visit this website for additional show time dates or tune in to TALK AM 860 for more details. If you have event information you would like to share with us, please email us at happenings@darkinscommunications.com or fax us at 412-824-3455.

The New Pittsburgh Courier and Darkins Communications Join Forces
April 15, 2006 – Real Times Media, LLC (Detroit, MI) parent company of the New Pittsburgh Courier announced an agreement with Darkins Communications to act at the newspapers’ event management and marketing agency.

Darkins’ role is two-fold as she will serve as the publication’s Director of Market Development.  The second role as event planner will draw on her 10 years of expertise in producing some of Pittsburgh premiere functions including conferences, concerts and awards programs. The company has three primary goals: develop a non-traditional revenue strategy, leverage the trusted historical brand of the New Pittsburgh Courier, and deliver products and services that will benefit the publication, businesses and the community-at-large.

 “It only made sense to combine our expertise to create a new age of quality events and services,” says Rod Doss, Editor & Publisher of the New Pittsburgh Courier.  We are very excited about what the future holds for the New Pittsburgh Courier and Darkins Communications.”

Hill House Association Presented  ‘Sugar & Soul!’
Saturday, April 1st the Hill House Association hosted its first event to raise funds for it’s programs that serve Allegheny County. Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris served as Honorary Chairperson for the gala event. Individuals who work tirelessly to improve our communities were recognized at this event that included a VIP reception for the awardees and sponsors, an awards ceremony, coordinated by Darkins Communications, and a reception that featured the ‘House of Soul.’ For more information about next year’s Sugar ‘N Soul event, call 412-392-4404 or visit www.hillhouse.org.

Ki-Ki Works the Red Carpet!
WAMO personality Ki-Ki worked the red carpet at the National Association of Black Engineers’s (NSBE) annual conference held in Pittsburgh (April 2006). The talented and well-spoken personality interviewed celebrities, nationally known politicians and students who attended the event. Later, she served as the mistress of ceremonies for their closing gala event that featured hip-hop artist Mos Def. To book Ki-Ki for your event, contact us at Darkins Communications!