Music
Press
"Every bit engaging as it is sensual."
-Los Angeles Independent
"Thanks again for the invite. That was one great, hott show! We really enjoyed it. It was funny and entertaining as well as real and sensuous. My hats off to ya!"
- Dale Martin, singer, Harold Jackson's Ink Spots
"Exactly what black cabaret should be!"
-Bashir Salahuddin, HBO/The Message
"Absolutely wonderful! Funny, sexy and poignant at the same time. Can't wait for more."
-Andre' Meadows, Comedian
"It was non-stop sexy entertainment from the beginning. I came there expecting a 1930's cabaret style show and ended up enjoying something much more exciting. The costumes were very sexy and cute. My male companion loved the show also. He thanked me for inviting him. I'd love to organize a theatre party when the show returns."
-Pamala A.; Goldstar Events review
- Harlem's Night
"Every bit engaging as it is sensual."
-Los Angeles Independent
"Thanks again for the invite. That was one great, hott show! We really enjoyed it. It was funny and entertaining as well as real and sensuous. My hats off to ya!"
- Dale Martin, singer, Harold Jackson's Ink Spots
"Exactly what black cabaret should be!"
-Bashir Salahuddin, HBO/The Message
"Absolutely wonderful! Funny, sexy and poignant at the same time. Can't wait for more."
-Andre' Meadows, Comedian
"It was non-stop sexy entertainment from the beginning. I came there expecting a 1930's cabaret style show and ended up enjoying something much more exciting. The costumes were very sexy and cute. My male companion loved the show also. He thanked me for inviting him. I'd love to organize a theatre party when the show returns."
-Pamala A.; Goldstar Events review
- Harlem's Night
Ron Brooks and Peppur Chambers perform in 'Harlem's Night.'
By LORENA FERNANDEZ 22.MAR.07
Cabaret returns to Hollywood, if only for a short run.
A late-night show at the Spanish bar El Cid on the edge of Hollywood drastically changed its flamenco style and instead, served with tapas and sangria, came the Brown Betties and Joe to tell a cabaret story of the 1940s.
With a mission to “provide quality theatrical and social entertainment for the sophisticated consumer,” this African-American group of performers headed by Peppur Chambers bring an old concept to new light in the show “Harlem’s Night … Giving Cabaret a Story.”
“Mom and I use to watch old movies together,” Chambers says concerning the inspiration for the show she wrote, produced and currently performs in every month at the small venue on Sunset Boulevard. A career dancer who started training at 6 years of age, Peppur has danced her way from the Midwest where she performed for the basketball Chicago Bulls to New York where she got up on stage and television to Los Angeles where she has now incorporated her writing skills to create a show of multiple talents.
“Harlem’s Night” began as a one-woman piece that told the story of Harlem, a woman who wants to find love where there is only lust. As she began to develop the song, the piece turned into a project that incorporated other characters representing Joe, the man Harlem is chasing, and three sides of Harlem’s personality that represent her love, hate and want for Joe.
Live music accompanies most of the pieces, providing an ambiance of a 1940s cabaret, while corsets and stockings reveal the very sensual style of the presentation. But perhaps the most unique aspect of this show in the relationship between the characters and the audience. Patrons are encouraged to wear vintage styles hats or gloves by offering a discount on the ticket price to people wearing the accessories, and inside the show extends beyond the stage as the performers get comfortable with the audience.
At the beginning of the show the singer of the band walks upstage to ask the audience to express their reactions without reservation as the scenes unfold, however most people seemed to have taken the invitation as part of the script, therefore only one table in the back cheered and whistled as the dances became more sensual and the characters more passionate.
“Usually there’s some sort of response,” Chambers said after the show, adding that she wants the atmosphere of the venue to be as close to a real cabaret as possible. From the time “Harlem’s Night” debuted in August of 2005, Chambers says, the performance has acquired better costumes, pace and timing. In fact, from the 25 minutes the show lasted two years ago to the 75 minutes they perform nowadays, improvements in the dances, the script and the story have made their way into this creative show.
Chambers, Keena Ferguson, Christy Gamble and Danielle Lewis co-star in “Harlem’s Night,” however the character of Joe rotates to different guest stars every month. The latest actor doing to the part is Ron Brooks, also a Midwesterner.
Though it took a couple of scenes for the actors to warm up and get into character, the second half of the show is every bit engaging as it is sensual. Chamber’s production puts African-American entertainment in a new level of creativity, talent and dexterity, all topped off with vintage hats and cigars. There is currently no set date for the next show at El Cid, but “Harlem’s Night” is expected to return twice next month, as it has for the last two years.
- LA Independent
Ron Brooks and Peppur Chambers perform in 'Harlem's Night.'
By LORENA FERNANDEZ 22.MAR.07
Cabaret returns to Hollywood, if only for a short run.
A late-night show at the Spanish bar El Cid on the edge of Hollywood drastically changed its flamenco style and instead, served with tapas and sangria, came the Brown Betties and Joe to tell a cabaret story of the 1940s.
With a mission to “provide quality theatrical and social entertainment for the sophisticated consumer,” this African-American group of performers headed by Peppur Chambers bring an old concept to new light in the show “Harlem’s Night … Giving Cabaret a Story.”
“Mom and I use to watch old movies together,” Chambers says concerning the inspiration for the show she wrote, produced and currently performs in every month at the small venue on Sunset Boulevard. A career dancer who started training at 6 years of age, Peppur has danced her way from the Midwest where she performed for the basketball Chicago Bulls to New York where she got up on stage and television to Los Angeles where she has now incorporated her writing skills to create a show of multiple talents.
“Harlem’s Night” began as a one-woman piece that told the story of Harlem, a woman who wants to find love where there is only lust. As she began to develop the song, the piece turned into a project that incorporated other characters representing Joe, the man Harlem is chasing, and three sides of Harlem’s personality that represent her love, hate and want for Joe.
Live music accompanies most of the pieces, providing an ambiance of a 1940s cabaret, while corsets and stockings reveal the very sensual style of the presentation. But perhaps the most unique aspect of this show in the relationship between the characters and the audience. Patrons are encouraged to wear vintage styles hats or gloves by offering a discount on the ticket price to people wearing the accessories, and inside the show extends beyond the stage as the performers get comfortable with the audience.
At the beginning of the show the singer of the band walks upstage to ask the audience to express their reactions without reservation as the scenes unfold, however most people seemed to have taken the invitation as part of the script, therefore only one table in the back cheered and whistled as the dances became more sensual and the characters more passionate.
“Usually there’s some sort of response,” Chambers said after the show, adding that she wants the atmosphere of the venue to be as close to a real cabaret as possible. From the time “Harlem’s Night” debuted in August of 2005, Chambers says, the performance has acquired better costumes, pace and timing. In fact, from the 25 minutes the show lasted two years ago to the 75 minutes they perform nowadays, improvements in the dances, the script and the story have made their way into this creative show.
Chambers, Keena Ferguson, Christy Gamble and Danielle Lewis co-star in “Harlem’s Night,” however the character of Joe rotates to different guest stars every month. The latest actor doing to the part is Ron Brooks, also a Midwesterner.
Though it took a couple of scenes for the actors to warm up and get into character, the second half of the show is every bit engaging as it is sensual. Chamber’s production puts African-American entertainment in a new level of creativity, talent and dexterity, all topped off with vintage hats and cigars. There is currently no set date for the next show at El Cid, but “Harlem’s Night” is expected to return twice next month, as it has for the last two years.
- LA Independent
Brown Betties appeared with and danced for American Idol's Ace Young at his LA Birthday party.
Go to www.younghollywood.com and search for ACE YOUNG for the footage! - www.younghollywood.com
Brown Betties appeared with and danced for American Idol's Ace Young at his LA Birthday party.
Go to www.younghollywood.com and search for ACE YOUNG for the footage! - www.younghollywood.com
Discography
For Review & Approval
Harlem’s Night Productions: 323.533.4059
THE BROWN BETTIES ARE BACK!
…for a sexy, stiletto filled night of passion and drama in the critically acclaimed experience “Harlem’s Night: A Cabaret Story.”
Harlem’s Night is the story of one woman pining after one man—Joe, and how she uses her three alter-egos, played by the Brown Betties, to get him. Set in 1940s Harlem, these women seductively dance and croon their hearts out, revealing the sordid passions they have for the sexy but unattainable Joe.
Think of the sultry Brown Betties as a sophisticated burlesque group—a cross between the Pussycat Dolls and En Vogue performing Chicago.
Written and created by actress Peppur Chambers, the Brown Betties ‘ characters encompass the emotions of Love, Hate, Want and Need with Peppur in the starring role as a needy woman named Harlem.
Peppur, a former dancer for the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee bucks, is a triple threat as a singer, songwriter and actress and was inspired by a one-woman cabaret show she saw featuring Julie Wilson.
“I was blown away by her intense ability to tell a story with her songs,” Peppur explains. “Her power to connect with the audience by being emotionally unselfish was so beautiful and inspiring. I knew I wanted to do the same thing."
Peppur Chambers achieves her goal in Harlem’s Night and is supported by a stellar cast featuring former Atlanta Falcons dancer Christy Gamble playing “Love,” former Miss Ohio Keena Ferguson as “Hate,” and classically trained dancer Danielle Lewis as “Want.”
The role of Joe will be played by the handsome Ricco Ross , (ER, The Least Among You, Guys and Dolls). Former Joes have been played by Lamman Rucker (Why Did I Get Married, Half and Half, All of Us); Rodney Perry (Johnson Family Vacation, TV One’s Who’s Got Jokes); Charles Porter, (Bones, Without A Trace), Eddie Goines (A Lesson Before Dying, The Game), Ron A. Brooks (Everybody Hates Chris), Dan White (Barbershop) and Thom Scott III originally.
From the “Cigar/Cigarette” girl who kicks off the show to the vintage jazz of Duke Ellington and Louis Jordan, Harlem’s Night, directed by Tanya Alexander, delivers a powerful experience that pulls you into an era that you won’t want to leave.
The show, which debuted August 2005 in Los Angeles has performed to sold-out audiences including notables such as directors Bryan Barber and Bille Woodruff, author Kevin Powell, and actors Michael Jai White and Reggie Hayes. Brown Betties will continue their 2008 residency at The Mint (6010 Pico, LA 90035) for First Saturday’s of September through November 2008 at 7:30pm. wwwthemintla.com, www.brownbetties.com.
###
Photos
Bio
Harlem's Night began in August 2005 as a sensational 25-minute burst that left audiences wanting more. As a result, the production is still in its sultry, sassy, sophisticated existence and runs 75 minutes.
The Brown Betties are happy to announce the impending arrival of the 2009 Brown Betties Pin-Up Calendar. Each month will feature an individual Brown Bettie in a pose reminiscent of classic pin up from the 1940s and 50s. Once again, the Brown Betties prove just how sultry, sassy and sophisticated Black women can be!
Avaiable for sale via the website: www.brownbetties.com
Additional Information -
Website:
www.peppurchambers.com/HarlemsNight.html
You Tube Video links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4e_bLSRVFc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4do_NWM7oz8
MySpace:
www.myspace.com/harlemsnight
www.myspace.com/harlemsstory
Harlem's Night Signature Song, "Hey Joe":
www.myspace.com/comeintomychambers
More Brown Betties:
www.brownbetties.blogspot.com
New! The Brown Betties Gazette: A Literary Sizzle that rips its article contents from the cabaret performances and puts it in print:
www.brownbettiesgazette.blogspot.com
Merchandise
www.cafepress.com/harlemheyjoe
Links
