NYC – 1/16/2012 — Zero degree weather and the coldest day of the winter did not stop Windows of Opportunity, Inc. and World Pop and Soul artist Queen Rose from taking to the streets to film a music video with a much needed strong message. The video, a Queen Rose, Inc. production for the song titled BUILDING BRIDGES, is set for international release on February 7th in conjunction with Black History Month. Its message is intended to inspire conversations about creating intercultural communication to foster peace.
“The first time I heard Building Bridges I felt like I was hearing the ‘We Are the World’ of today”, states Hal Eisenberg, Executive Director of Windows of Opportunity. “I was so excited when Queen Rose approached our youth and staff to play a crucial role in the telling of her vision. It may have been freezing on set, but being part of this global message is a once in a lifetime experience.” Associate producer Eisenberg, who plays the male lead role in the video, and production coordinator/co-star Kimberly Tanksley, tell the story of an interracial couple in 1994. They fall in love and have a son together, but the building pressure from society causes them to eventually go their separate ways. The story brings them back together in 2012 defying the odds and rising above.
“How fitting that we wrapped up shooting a video to promote intercultural communication to foster peace on Martin Luther King Day and can release it just in time for Black History Month, shifting how we communicate with each other!”, reflects Executive Producer and director Queen Rose. “We had over 40 people for two full days of filming working passionately together as a team. Their endurance during the freezing weather was a testament to their beautiful spirits and commitment making a difference around the world.”
Film locations included Columbus Circle, Central Park, the beautiful apartment of Candidate for Election 2013 at New York City Council Mel Wymore and the awe inspiring Martin Luther King Day Service at The Emmanuel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. “There were so many awesome people involved in this project”, continued Eisenberg. “From youth at our Shortstack Fashion and Modeling Program, our staff at Windows of Opportunity, the visionary cinematographer Brian McCann, the passionate director of photography Herman Jean-Noel, to even a cameo by the amazing and talented new British artist Angelina Roz; people from all walks of life showed what it really meant to ‘build bridges’ in order to make sure this project came to life for all to see.”
Queen Rose and Eisenberg first met at United Global Shift, an organization that designs and delivers programs and workshops for people who are engaged in initiatives that make a real difference. This organization is causing a united global shift in what is possible for humanity, focusing on the environment, employment, entrepreneurship, health, and education. When Queen Rose and Eisenberg met and shared their common visions, they knew they were bound to work together in a way that would bring many cultures together and facilitate many conversations that will lead to a better society.
The song Building Bridges is co-written and co-produced by Queen Rose and Mark Shine and brilliantly fuses Queen Rose’s formidable classical music background with America’s sizzling Rock, Soul and R&B sounds. Her ingenious pop arrangement is peppered with an accessible lyrical hook that appeals to people all over the world. Building Bridges includes the best musicians on the NYC scene and features Mark Shine’s vocals layered over Queen Rose’s lush string arrangements, bringing to life her music and vision. It is currently available as a free download on https://queenrose.net/.
Queen Rose is manifesting her vision in her organization Building Bridges (https://www.wearebuildingbridges.org/), which is in the early developing stages spreading its mission and vision and seeking not-for-profit status. Its mission is to create intercultural communication to foster peace, bringing about a shift from negative to empowering messages. Windows of Opportunity provides innovative and impacting programs that cause a shift in the way we educate and empower youth. Their 9 leadership curriculums, as well as music, film, and fashion programs are implemented across NYC, Westchester, and Long Island. This past summer they conducted workshops in Nigeria, Africa and intend on reaching out to more youth globally through the release of the Building Bridges video.
Hailing from Austria, Europe’s music capital, Queen Rose is an accomplished Classical & Jazz violinist and singer/songwriter and producer on top. She has shared the stage with the likes of John Legend, Santana, Gloria Estefan, Patti LaBelle and Trey Songz. She has been featured on over 18 studio albums and appeared on MTV, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, in the movie August Rush, and on stage at The Blue Note, The Knitting Factory, the Latin Grammy’s and many more.
In May 2012 Queen Rose will release two Pop/Soul albums with world music and Hip Hop influences featuring some of New York City’s hottest independent and Grammy Award winning singers & rappers to share her many talents as a violinist, singer, songwriter and producer. Tracks from these upcoming releases promise to be just as inspiring as Building Bridges. $1 from the sale of the Building Bridges album will be donated to Windows of Opportunity’s Music Leadership program, Rock Ur Heart Out. Rock Ur Heart Out is currently building a music studio in Queens Village to service disadvantaged youth.
It is more than apparent that Queen Rose, Building Bridges, Windows of Opportunity, and everyone in their connecting communities are out to make a serious impact on our world for years to come. This is a team to pay attention to.