News & Blog

Updates from the Build a Better World Foundation

PR Newswire

Check out the piece written in PR NEWSWIRE about the Hollywood premiere of the documentary HOLLYWOOD’S HUMBLE MAESTRO: The Russell Garcia Story.

Here is a quote from the newsletter:

“Kristy Corwin, the visionary behind this documentary, serves as the creator and executive producer, along with Sr. producer Elliott Haimoff. Corwin is dedicated to bringing to life the enthralling and often overlooked story of Russell Garcia, a world-renowned composer and arranger who worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest icons, including Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Charlie Chaplin. Despite his monumental contributions, Garcia often worked as a “ghost composer/arranger,” rarely receiving the credit he deserved.”

The Premiere of HOLLYWOOD’S HUMBLE MAESTRO: The Russell Garcia Story

The debut of Build A Better World Foundations first documentary HOLLYWOOD’S HUMBLE MAESTRO: The Russell Garcia Story, occurred on July 27th in Highland Park Illinois at the Wayfarer Theatre. As well as on August 3rd in Hollywood California at the Harmony Gold Preview House. We were accompanied by amazing guests along with some of the crew from the documentary including Elliott Haimoff (Producer), Rainn Wilson (Narrator), KC Porter (World Beat Engineering; Narration Engineering) Kristy Corwin (Russell’s Granddaughter & Producer), and the rest of the Garcia family. During our Hollywood Premiere we were honored to have Rainn Wilson MC a Q & A with Russell’s Family and the audience afterwards.

The Unquenchable Flame Debuts in Los Angeles

This summer saw the successful debut of the The Unquenchable Flame, a musical drama created by Gina and Russell Garcia about the life of the Tahirih, a 19th century Persian poetess who gave her life so that women might be free from the yoke of oppression . The Unquenchable Flame was performed 7 times between May 24th and June 1st 2019 at Manhattan Beach Studios in Los Angeles. The musical was produced by Build A Better World Productions.

  • A scene from The Unquenchable Flame
  • Gina Garcia (left) with Producer Kristy Corwin (middle)
  • Set from The Unquenchable Flame.

BBWF and Full Circle Learning Fundraiser Raises Money to Build School in Laos

On November 19th, 2017, the Build A Better World Foundation held a joint fundraiser with Full Circle Learning to raise funds for the rebuilding of a school in Laos. The fundraiser featured student performers from the Agoura High School Jazz Ensemble and a song from Build A Better World Production’s upcoming musical drama, The Unquenchable Flame (read more here), sung by Daniel Kohanbash and Capri Corwin.

Below are some photos of the event:

 

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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: BBWF featured in the Agoura Hills Acorn

The Build A Better World Foundation is officially a 501c3 organization! On September 21st volunteers, city officials, and friends of the foundation joined us at the Performing Arts Education Center on the campus of Agoura High School for a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. Awards were presented to musicians Bob Alcivar and Bob Porter for a lifetime of service and dedication to music, and the Agoura High School Studio Jazz Combo performed at the reception. Donations were made by the Build A Better World Foundation to the six organizations represented at our launch concert in December 2016: Lide, The Mona Foundation, Earth Citizen Organization, Oceti Wakan, STAR School, and Full Circle Learning. The Agoura Hills Acorn covered the event. Read their report here.