ARTS BIZ BALL BUSBOYS & POETS OWNER ANDY SHALLAL HONORED BY REGIONAL ARTS COMMUNITY'S CAGW EVENT CELEBRATES CULTURAL & BUSINESS COLLABORATIONS!

Washington, DC - The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington (CAGW) will honor Anas Andy Shallal, artist, activist, and proprietor of the Busboys and Poets Restaurants on Thursday, May 6, 2010, from 6:30 PM-8:30 PM at their Arts Biz Ball (business attire), at Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D Street, NW in Washington, DC, featuring music by The Herb Scott Trio, and catering by Geppetto Caterers.

Since 2005 Andy Shallal has opened the doors of his restaurant Busboys and Poets to writers, performers, musicians, and visual artists providing them the opportunity to exhibit their works, host forums, hold fundraisers, and present performances. A Busboys and Poets is located in each part of the region, two in the District, one in Virginia and plans are underway for two more to open in Hyattsville, Maryland and Rosslyn, Virginia. Shallal attended Howard University and graduated from Catholic University. He is a lover of the Harlem Renaissance and is regarded as a man with a cause. Each Busboys and Poets Restaurant is a special gathering place where, in the back rooms, named for writers of the Harlem Renaissance, artists are celebrated, community problems are solved, and movements are developed. The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington's Arts Biz Ball is an opportunity for artists, arts, business, and community leaders to celebrate the work and philanthropy of Andy Shallal.

The featured performer of the evening is the Washington DC Metropolitan region's own Saxophonist Herb Scott a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts, The Washington Jazz Arts Institute, an alumnus of the Patricia Sitar Center and a graduate in jazz studies from of the Michigan State University. Performances by other area artists will also be featured.

Tickets to the Arts Biz Ball are $55 for CAGW members and $95 for non members. For sponsorship information call 202-393-2161 X 23. As much an opportunity to network as to celebrate, participating Arts Biz Ball Sponsors as of March 25th are: Altria, KPMG, Marriott Foundation., American Express, Calvert, Fort Lincoln New Town Corporation, Nixon Peabody LLP, and radio sponsor WPFW 89.3 FM. The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington is a regional arts membership organization promoting the arts through CultureCapital.com, CultureCapital Insider and TICKETPLACE. The organization is dedicated to increasing regional leadership, appreciation, support, and resources for arts and culture through the four initiatives: Research, Convene, Advocate and Serve.