SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER

John Amos

An actor with hulking presence and a stern countenance, John Amos undercuts his ominous appearance with the kind of warm grin and fun-loving attitude that makes him a natural for comedy. More recognizable as a television actor, the former pro football player has made enough visible forays into film to earn him a reputation in both arenas.

After stints in a variety of divergent career fields — pro sports, advertising, commercial acting, stand-up comedy, comedy writing — Amos got his big break with the role of Gordy the weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970. After three years as a side player next to Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, and Ted Knight, Amos thought he’d get the chance for top billing by signing on to the gig for which he is best known: James Evans, the temperamental patriarch of Good Times. But Jimmie Walker, who played son J.J. Evans, soon gave the show a sassy youthful focus with his catchphrase “Dy-no-mite!” stealing the spotlight from Amos and Esther Rolle, who played wife Florida. Amos asked out of his contract after three years, and in 1976, James Evans was killed off in a car accident.

The decision to leave a hit series did not squash Amos, as it has some others who have made that bold decision. Instead, Amos stepped into the highly celebrated and widely seen role of the adult Kunta Kinte in the 1977 miniseries Roots. The role challenged the actor’s dramatic abilities like none of his previous work had, and he won praise for documenting the travails of a captured African who resists his enslavement.

While continuing to turn up in TV series such as Future Cop and Hunter, Amos began making regular appearances in film in the 1980s. Among his more prominent roles were as Seth, companion to Marc Singer’s title character in the sword and sorcerer film The Beastmaster (1982); Cleo McDowell, owner of a McDonald’s knockoff burger chain and employer of Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall’s transplanted dignitaries in Coming to America (1988); and the double-crossing Major Grant, who becomes one of the villains opposite Bruce Willis in Die Hard 2 (1990). Settling back into a career of guest shots on TV shows, Amos occupied himself during the 1990s and beyond with recurring roles on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace on NBC’s The West Wing.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

Jay Mattioli’s unique combination of stunning visual magic with urban dance, music, audience interaction and an unsurpassable style, stands alone.

Whether you are looking for entertainment for a cocktail party or a feature production for conventions, seminars and educational sessions, Jay Mattioli’s magic will give your guests a chance to relax, laugh and bond with co-workers as see they are entertained by some of the world’s finest visual magic.

IMAGINE… The evening begins with informal welcome, cocktail hour with Jay Mattioli breaking the ice by mingling with you guests, hopping from group to group performing some side splitting, hilarious, interactive, and mind boggling close-up magic right under their nose!

At 26 years old, he has already traveled across the globe with his unique blend of magic. Audiences from Las Vegas to New York City and LA to the UK have witnessed Jay’s dynamic magic with sensational reviews.

At 18 years old, he was hailed by the International Brotherhood of Magicians as a “Champion of Magic”, becoming one of the youngest magicians to ever receive this honor. Then in 2006, Jay was awarded 1st Prize at the Society of American Magicians International Stage Contest of Magic. Jay is one of only a few magicians in HISTORY to receive 1st prize in both of these international magic competitions.

Jay’s unique style obliterates the past concept of what people expect from a magician and is one of the few illusionists in the world who has truly brought magic up to date. The combination of hilarious, and jaw-dropping illusions along with a diverse blend of chart-topping music, has catapulted Jay into a field where he stands alone.

Decored in hip, vivid costumes, a carefully punked hair-do, and a vivacious assistant appearing and disappearing by his side, Jay performs magic with everything from live animals to levitating microphones as well as startling effects where Jay removes his head completely off his shoulders!

Guiding a new wave in refreshing entertainment, Jay’s magic has become a sought after act for vacation resorts, variety revues, corporate events, cruise lines and college Universities. Organizations such as IBM, Morgan Stanley, Best Software, Inc., Disney Cruise Lines and hundreds more have chosen Jay’s magic to electrify their guests and special events,…and so can YOU.

Shedrick “Can I Vent” Garrett

Hailing from Denver, Colorado Shedrick “Can I Vent” Garrett has made a for himself as the People’s Comedian. Shedrick first began to display his unique brand of clean comedy as a college student while attending Norfolk State University. There he hosted various events including his own version of Showtime at the Apollo allowing other students to showcase their talents as well.

After college Shedrick Garret returned to his hometown of Denver, Colorado. Where he found himself eager to find his place in Corporate America. Although, he achieved a successful career as a corporate trainer his true calling could not be ignored.

Shedrick began hosting several events through out the city and, even brought his version of Showtime at the Apollo to Denver, Colorado calling it Showtime at D.C. These various performances allow Shedrick to hone his comedic style and, in time gave birth to Shed “Can I Vent” G. No longer limiting his self to being just comedian, Shed G became known for his famous vents about everyday happenings in life. He began to open his shows with his now famous call of “Vent Brotha Vent” involving his audience in his comedic performance. Shed began to make a name for himself and opened up for such as The Temptations, The Isley Brothers and Brian McKnight to name a few.

Shed G then took his talents to Atlanta and the big screen working alongside Tyler Perry in the hit movies “Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea’s Family Reunion, Daddy’s Little Girl, Meet The Browns and, TPS Studios famously funny sitcoms House of Payne and, Meet The Browns“. He also appeared in several commercials and was featured as the role of Ike Turner in the hilarious opening for the 2007 Black TV Awards hosted by Tyler Perry.

But, Shed would not stop there. His return to his hometown of Denver, Colorado opened up even more opportunities. You can catch Shed weekly on The Groove Zone, a show that sophisticatedly blends celebrities’ interviews, music videos and, Shed’s brand of comedy into an hour of entertainment.

Shed G has also taken his comedy worldwide performing at the Essence Music Festival, Colorado’s Black Ski Summit, The St, Croix Gospel Festival, and several stints on Carnival Cruise Lines. Shed also performs with his own house band “The Vent Band” showcasing what he calls “Grown Folks Entertainment” the Vent Session is an evening of live neo-soul, jazz and comedy.

Never one to slow down Shed is looking to heighten the cry of Vent Brotha Vent with the launching of his new TV Show Vent TV to debut 2010.