Candace Bouchard The Boomerang Fund for Artists, Inc. Despite the dubious economy, Boomerang continues to scoop up charitable dollars from generous donors and award grants to artists of all genres. On behalf of the entire organization and the artists it supports, I thank you for your continued generosity and support! It is especially uplifting to know that so many of Boomerang's grant recipients are finding measurable success in their chosen fields of expression. Graham Hamilton spent his summer in San Diego at The Old Globe Theater, where he portrayed Romeo in "Romeo & Juliet" and Bertram in "All's Well That Ends Well." Alexander Strain recently finished a stint at The Source in D.C. where he appeared in J.T. Rogers' "Murmuring in a Dead Tongue." The Washington Post described the show as "rather brilliantly directed by Jennifer L. Nelson as a lean tour de force for Strain. Operating in a tight pool of light and looking sharp in a gray suit, he works a microphone with the aplomb of a comic, leaning in to confide and then pushing it away as a stream of consciousness takes over. It's a commanding performance." Contemporary jazz percussionist and composer Dafnis Prieto celebrated the release of his new CD, entitled "Taking the Soul for a Walk" with a string of performances at The Jazz Standard in New York City in June. Modern Drummer Magazine's August issue features Mr. Prieto on the cover, giving him the title "Latin Jazz Genius." The extensive interview focuses largely on Mr. Prieto's most recent CD, but it also delves into other topics, giving readers insight into Mr. Prieto's creative process. This link will give you a teaser: http://www.moderndrummer.com/updatefull/200001681. If you want to read the whole article, you'll have to buy the magazine. If you want to purchase this amazing new CD, visit www.cdbaby.com/cd/dafnisprietosextet. Grant Recipient Carl Flink received a 2008 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Choreography. The fellowship includes a cash award and an additional sum to help a company beyond his resident state of Minnesota to commission Mr. Flink for a new work. Filmmaker Adrian Belic's documentary "Beyond the Call" has now screened at over 100 film festivals on five continents winning 39 awards to date! There are more than 20 upcoming screenings, including a screening in Vladivostok, Russia. In July, I had the pleasure of personally handing a Boomerang grant check to actor Karl Miller after his performance in Jason Grote's "This Storm Is What We Call Progress" at Rorschach Theatre in D.C. As I watched the astonishment register on his face, and the tears well up in his girlfriend's eyes, I was once again reminded that Boomerang's mission is a worthy one. Mr. Miller is an extraordinary actor who has accumulated a considerable list of accolades in his career to date. Remember his name, for you will certainly be hearing about him again, and not just from me! Boomerang also recently awarded grants to playwright extraordinaire Christine Toy Johnson, and percussionist and teaching artist Colin Tribby. They both expressed profound gratitude for the honor of being selected as a grant recipient. While the monetary reward is certainly a plus, the endorsement of Boomerang, and the validation of their work that is implied with each grant, provides inspiration that is immeasurable. Thank you for visiting the Boomerang Fund for Artists' web site. I appreciate your continued generosity. May your kindness be returned to you a thousand times over! If you have any questions that are not answered here, please contact me at boomerangfund@comcast.net. With gratitude and best wishes, Joseph P. Morra President, Boomerang Fund For Artists, Inc. Fed. Tax ID No. 04-3760294