By Gerry Hopkins, J.D. (hopkinscg@gmail.com)

At the heels of the iconic concert by The Temptations, Manhattans and Rose Royce, New York City dwellers are preparing to experience yet another legend of soul music the notable empress, Patti Labelle.

According to Lorraine Campbell of the Brooklyn-based cultural event production joint, Jammins Entertainment, “Patti will be doing a live show on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14, 2010 at the prestigious landmark venue”, BAM – Brooklyn Academy of Music (Howard Gilman Opera House) located at 30 Lafayette Ave in Brooklyn, NY. Showtime at 7 p.m. Sharp!!!!

“I am certain that this Valentine would be very special for a lot of the folks who appreciate classic ballads; I can’t even remember the last time Patti performed in Brooklyn,” says Keisha Martin, an ardent fan who is also well-known for her soulful singing.

Patti LaBelle, the versatile two-time Grammy winning singer and song-writer who can smoothly do a duet with a Michael McDonald or a DMX, and a Floetry or a Wyclef Jean, as she has done, is certainly no stranger to most. In fact, having for over 40 years given the music world countless inter-generational, classic and cross-genre hits like “On My Own,” “Lady Marmalade,” “If Only You Knew,” “Live! One Night Only,” and “Burnin’, as well as more recent solos and duets such as “New Day,” “Not Right, But Real,” “Thank You,” and “Hear My Cry,” one can honestly say about Patti that she has just about done it all with her distinctive four octave voice.

Beyond the awards, which among other things includes three honorary doctorate degrees from reputable universities located on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, Patti has also distinguished herself as a best selling author of four books (including Don’t Block the Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime), a successful actress with TV shows such as “Out All Night,” and an effective advocate for diabetes and cancer prevention/treatment awareness. Most recently, Patti also introduced her fashion line to the world on HSN.

The caring sponsors of the Patti LaBelle Soul Legend Live Concert are JetBlue Airways (now flying to Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica), Western Union, Census 2010, American Foundation for The University of The West Indies, Zync TV, NY Liberty Star and Street Hype Newspaper, Gmax Enterprise, NY Perks Bar & Lounge, Grace Kennedy Bill Express, Café Shane Restaurant, and Hopkins Communications Group.

Tickets for the exceptional event can be purchased by calling BAM box office at 718.636.4100 or log onto www.BAM.org. Further information may be obtained by calling 718-282-8041 or www.soullegendslive.com. Part proceeds will be donated to the American Foundation for The University of The West Indies (AFUWI) Scholarship Fund. The AFUWI is a 501© (3) entity. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of state and federal laws.