Olu's Dream

OLU's DREAM @ DC

noreply@blogger.com (Shane Evans) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:05:00 +0000

9.9.09
Safe and easy landing into the nation’s capitol. Shane got off the plane energized and ready for a dreamventure (a word introduced in later books). We were welcomed by Hip-Hip and education ambassador, Gabriel “Asheru” Benn, and had a chance to talk about the next day with Ballou principal Rahman Branch. Of course, the perfect bedtime story closed the evening.

9.10.09
We started bright and early for Day One. First stop, WPFW's studios for an interview with Gloria Minott.

Second stop, Ballou Senior High School in South East, DC. Shane gave a fantastic presentation to a group of high achievers at the school. The students were so engaged, Shane had them singing along with his soon-to-be-known-the-world-over, song "Seeing," (the song in this video) an hour after school ended.
The idea was to introduce these students to Olu's Dream, what it stands for, and how to express the concept through their own personal experience. Tomorrow we’re going to take them to speak to students at Malcolm X Elementary (Also in South East), to seed a conversation about dreaming.

Later in the afternoon we were graced with flowers-in-full-bloom Ayanna Gregory, Barclay Martin visiting from Kansas City, and Courtney Dowe. The video speaks for itself…how powerful those connections sparked.

We start the day tomorrow at Sidwell Friends School-with students from both Sidwell and Hearst Elementary participating—to kick off a program that will include an interactive reading, a slide presentation of world travels, and a live performance. Should be fun….watching Olu Bloom. We Bloom.

Don’t forget shows at BloomBars Friday and Saturday night starting at 8:00 and 8:30. 3322 11th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Suggested donation $5-10. No alcohol allowed to foster a family-friendly environment and a more meaningful connection with the artists.

Shane W. Evans in Washington, DC, September 11th,12th, and 13th.

noreply@blogger.com (Shane Evans) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:06:00 +0000

Shane will be in Washington, DC as a featured guest at The Kennedy Center’s 14th Annual Multicultural Children's Book Festival on Saturday, September 12th, with other appearances during the week, including Sidwell Friends School and BloomBars on Friday and Saturday night. On Sunday, September 13th, Hooray for Books in Old Town Alexandria will host a signing/reading from 11am to 1pm.

In The News

noreply@blogger.com (Shane Evans) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:38:00 +0000

On 8/25/2009, Harper Collins released “Olu’s Dream,” the story of a mischievous, adventurous, funny, and thoughtful child with a limitless imagination who discovers a dream world that he can bring into his reality. An established name in the world of children’s book illustration with more than 30 titles to his credit, author Shane W. Evans believes “Olu’s Dream” will be the perfect book for parents to start a conversation about dreaming with their children.

“As an ambassador for children’s dreams, parent’s hopes, and the world’s aspiration’s for peace and cultural understanding, Olu carries the torch that was lit by our most recent global icon—President Obama,” says Evans. “He is clearest evidence the world and its children are ready for a multicultural conscious superhero,”

Evans also believes “Olu’s Dream” will help children and parents appreciate and understand diversity while also representing one of the fastest growing family structures and populations in the world—people of multiple cultures. “Olu is a universal character who represents and celebrates diversity and the merging of cultures in a new globalized society,” added Evans.

“Olu’s Dream” is set in London. Olu attends an international school, and comes from a diverse background (African father/Asian mother). His father is an illustrator with creativity and youthfulness to match Olu. Inspired by his father illustrations, Olu embarks on a series of adventures that span the universe. Accompanied by his diverse friends from school, Olu’s adventures teach and remind us of our own potential to dream, and make our dreams come true.

“Olu’s Dream” is the culmination of more than ten years of work, according to Evans, who has already created a storyline for Olu and his sidekicks that will unfold in a seven-book series. “The reception from librarians, parents, and teachers has been like nothing I’ve ever seen,” says Evans.

“Olu’s Dream is a wonderful example of how much we need to encourage our young people to express themselves. Whether it be singing, screaming, acting, dancing, writing, or scribbling, it all starts in the imagination, in the dream,” says actor Taye Diggs, whose forthcoming children’s book, “Chocolate Me,” is a collaboration with long-time friend Evans.

“’Olu’s Dream’ reveals a world kids will love to discover over and over again,” says award-winning children’s book author, Charles Smith.

Shane Evans is a creative force. He comfortably wears titles that include artist, author, illustrator, musician, songwriter, and founder of Dream Studio, a community art space in Kansas City, Missouri, where he resides. He has more than 30 books to his credit as an illustrator, including Olu’s Dream, which he als o authored. Many of the books have been featured in the media such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, Reading Rainbow, and Late Night with David Letterman. Five of his books are scheduled for publication in 2010 including “Chocolate Me” with actor Taye Diggs, “My Brother Charlie” with actor Holly Robinson Peete, and “Black Jack,” with Coretta Scott King Award winning author Charles Smith. His portfolio includes the “Shanna Show” (now a Disney animate short along with the spinoff “Shane’s Kindergarten Countdown”). In addition, he has exhibited, lectured, and developed art programs for youth in Burkina Faso, Botswana, Brazil, China, France, Japan, Lesotho, and across the United States.