Business, Regional Events, Sports and Activities, Webinars

GOALS Council Welcomes Soccer Resilience to a Live Roundtable Discussing Youth Sports and Mental Health

PLANO, Texas -- The GOALS Council, a strategic advisory body formed by Stack Sports and influential youth soccer leaders in 2021, will host their second virtual roundtable tailored for youth sports enthusiasts on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, featuring a distinguished panel of industry leaders discussing pressing topics identified by the GOALS Council.

The GOALS Council welcomes a panel of industry leaders including Diego Bocanegra - Former Head Women's Soccer Coach at the University of Houston, Jen Davis - Executive Director of the South Texas Youth Soccer Association, Dr. Brad Miller - Founder of Soccer Resilience and licensed clinical psychologist, and Wells Thompson - Founder and CEO of Soccer Resilience and former professional player of Major League Soccer.

The webinar will expand upon the crucial intersection of youth sports and mental health. Stack Sports believes in an era where the pressures on young athletes seem to intensify with each passing season, understanding the profound impact of sports on mental well-being has never been more imperative. A survey conducted by the Aspen Institute among over 3,000 youth in the Tacoma, Washington area, titled "State of Play Tacoma-Pierce County," reveals a significant number of young athletes grappling with anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation. According to the Aspen Institute's State of Play 2023: "More attention is being paid to the role that positive sports experiences can have on a child's mental health, given that 42% of high school students today say they have experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. That's up from 28% a decade ago. While all teens report increased mental health challenges, girls fare worse than boys."

The panel will delve into this complex landscape, exploring strategies to nurture physical prowess and the mental fortitude necessary for young athletes everywhere to thrive on and off the field.

"The GOALS Council embodies growth, organization, advancement, and learning in soccer, making it the perfect conduit to dive into key issues affecting youth sports," said Frances Fabian, Head of Partner Engagement at Sports Connect. "We are enthusiastic about this upcoming discussion and looking forward to creating actionable solutions at the community, regional, and national levels of soccer to drive positive change in the sport."

To register for the upcoming webinar, please visit https://app.livestorm.co/sportsconnect/goals-council-live-round-table. For more information about The GOALS Council, please visit their website: https://stacksports.com/goals-council.

About Stack Sports:

With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations.

Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars - Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com/.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

composer Martin Max Schreiner, Entertainment, Regional Events

Lowell Chamber Orchestra to premiere new edition of Julia Perry’s symphony

LOWELL, Mass. -- On Sunday, February 18, 3 p.m., The Lowell Chamber Orchestra will present the first Massachusetts performance of Julia Perry's "Symphony for Violas and Basses," from a new edition by LCO's music director Orlando Cela.

The new edition looks to celebrate Perry's centenary of her birth, and provide a clear template from which other ensembles can perform this work from one of America's most influential and underappreciated composers.

"This work is a fabulous example of Perry's modernist style," says LCO music director Orlando Cela. "One can hear Perry as a mature composer, masterfully handling complex rhythms and harmonies, and presenting a piece that moves from the majestic to the introspective, and then to an electrifying ending."

The concert will also include a world premiere by Martin Max Schreiner - his score being one of the winners of the 2023 LCO Call-for-Scores - and conclude with a rendition of Béla Bartók's "Music for String Instruments, Percussion, and Celesta."

Two soloists, Yukiko Shimazaki on piano, and Nikki Huang on marimba - winner of the 2023 LCO Concerto Competition - will also be featured.

The concert is free to attend.

About The Lowell Chamber Orchestra:

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra is Lowell's first and only professional orchestra. We provide the area with an ensemble that presents music at a very high level, of all styles and time periods, entirely free to the general population. Now in its fifth season, the LCO has presented concerts that encompass established orchestral repertoire as well as multimedia works, stage works, lecture-presentations, and chamber music. As part of its mission of promoting, preserving and educating, the repertoire include works from the Baroque, to current commissions.

ABOUT EVENT:

Fantastic Landscapes

Sunday, February 18, 3 p.m.

Richard and Nancy Donahue Academic Arts Center

240 Central Street, Lowell, MA

Presented by Middlesex Community College's "A World of Music" Concert Series

INFORMATION:

For more information, please visit: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/events

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/9tD_jwXJcKY

Related link: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Regional Events, Software

Dark Matter Technologies unveils Horizon User Conference agenda

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter), an innovative new leader in mortgage technology backed by time-tested loan origination software and leadership, today announced the agenda for its Horizon User Conference. Open to Dark Matter clients and partners, the conference will take place at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel on April 24-25, 2024.

Focusing on the "horizon" of mortgage lending and technology, the user conference features two days of networking events and sessions led by industry leaders and Dark Matter's team of mortgage technology experts.

Highlights from the Horizon User Conference agenda include:

* Preparing for a Brighter Future: Insights from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac & the MBA

* AI Unleashed: Transforming Business in 2024

* Staying Secure: Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges ft. experts from AWS

* The Dark Matter Ecosystem: Empower, API, and the Portals - Today and plans for Tomorrow

"This year, we are thrilled to bring together the brightest minds in the industry at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel to share insights, foster innovation and shape the future of mortgage lending," said Dark Matter CEO Rich Gagliano. "Our carefully curated program is designed to empower our clients and partners with the knowledge, tools and connections needed to navigate the evolving landscape of mortgage technology. Together, we will dive deep into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, exploring how cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to excellence can transform the way we do business."

In addition to opening remarks from Gagliano, the conference will kick off with a welcome reception, and it will conclude with the Horizon Party, which will take place at Wynwood Walls, a street art museum renowned for its mural art.

Sponsors of the Horizon User Conference include CoreLogic, Docutech, Enact Mortgage Insurance, Equifax, Experian, First American Data & Analytics, Global Payments, Halcyon Still Water, Informative Research, KensieMae, Lenders One, Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, National MI, The Mortgage Collaborative and Wolters Kluwer. Exhibitors include ArchMI, Argyle, CoreLogic, DataVerify-Factual Data, DocMagic, Docutech, Newbold Advisors, Optimal Blue, Truework, Truv, Wolters Kluwer and Xactus.

To register for the event or for more information, please email Dark Matter Chief of Client Engagement, Tony Fox at tony.fox@dmatter.com.

About Dark Matter Technologies:

Operating with the nimble nature of a startup and the disciplined maturity of one of the industry's leading providers, Dark Matter Technologies delivers cutting-edge technology, unparalleled automation and relentless innovation to leading mortgage lenders and companies nationwide. For more information, visit https://www.dmatter.com/.

Related link: https://www.dmatter.com

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, MBA Servicing Solutions Conference, Regional Events

ACES Quality Management Executive Vice President of Compliance, Amanda Phillips, to Speak at 2024 MBA Servicing Solutions Conference and Expo

DENVER, Colo. -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced the Executive Vice President of Compliance Amanda Phillips will be speaking at the 2024 Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Servicing Solutions Conference taking place February 20-23, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla.

Phillips will moderate the session, "Policy & Compliance Track: Top Servicing Compliance and Fair Servicing Concerns," on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 1:30 pm. This session will "explore the top compliance and policy trends in mortgage servicing today. Topics explored include a continued regulatory focus on fair servicing, loss mitigation developments, and market challenges." Representatives from Servbank, Alston & Bird, LLP, and Padgett Law Group will join Phillips on the panel.

"Improving compliance and fair servicing should be an initiative for every lender. We're pleased to be the industry's resource for staying up to date on best practices and changes in compliance requirements," said ACES CEO Trevor Gauthier. "Mandy is a wealth of knowledge. She will undoubtedly provide this year's attendees with food for thought as to how they can safeguard the integrity of their originations through robust quality control practices."

Phillips has two decades of experience in the financial services industry, including holding executive roles in legal and regulatory compliance. Prior to joining ACES Quality Management, Phillips was with the law firm Ballard Spahr, LLP, where she advised clients on federal and state regulatory requirements governing mortgage lending, including business processes and practices, software, and mortgage documents.

To learn more, visit the ACES team at booth number 410 or set up a meeting in advance by emailing sales@acesquality.com.

Phillips will also be presenting the latest mortgage servicing news, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) supervisory highlights and specific 2024 compliance expectations and predictions, on February 14, 2024, as part of the ACES QC Now webinar series. Register here.

About ACES Quality Management:

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control® Software to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 60% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 8 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 3 of the top 5 credit unions in the United States.

Unlike other quality control platforms, ACES Flexible Audit Technology gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on I.T. or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit www.acesquality.com or call 1-800-858-1598.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Entertainment, Regional Events

Jazz Fest Pompano Beach 2024 Makes a Huge Splash

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. -- Under a canopy of stars, Pompano Beach was transformed into a haven for jazz enthusiasts as over 10,000 music fans showed up for the beachside celebration. Jazz royalty including Branford Marsalis, Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton, David Sanchez, and Najee held court on the Champion Porsche Stage at Jazz Fest Pompano Beach 2024 and captivated audiences with their incredible talent.

This year's event, hosted by Mark Ruffin of Sirius XM's Real Jazz channel, was the first time the festival was located directly on the beach which allowed for exponential audience growth. With the tremendous success of this 3rd annual event, the City's Cultural Affairs Department is already planning the 2025 festival.

Upcoming announcements will be featured on https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/.

"Jazz Fest was a true testament to the power of music and art to bring people together," said Ty Tabing, Director Cultural Affairs Department. "We saw families dancing on the sand, people swaying to the melodies, and everyone smiling as they experienced phenomenal art displays by our Artists in Residence, and the incredible food and beverage options from our local venues. We are so grateful to everyone who made this extraordinary event a success, and we cannot wait to do this again next year!"

Restaurants participating in the "Beachside Beats & Culinary Treats" food & beverage area included Baresco, Beach House, Burger Fi, How You Brewin', Cannoli Kitchen Pizza, Kilwins, Lucky Fish and Oceanic.

The stunning artistic experiences provided by the talented Artists in Residence from Bailey Contemporary Arts Center, were underwritten by a $50,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Broward to expand this program outside the venue walls. Jazz Fest was the first time these funds were utilized, and they allowed for an array of impressive artistic experiences including live painting, art installations, mural curations, dance, and even a projection under the pier.

Jazz Fest Pompano Beach 2024 Sponsors include: Champion Porsche, John Knox Village, Bank United, Gold Coast Jazz Society, Outclique, and Pompano! Magazine.

About the City of Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department:

The mission of the Cultural Affairs Department is to provide cultural programming that includes visual arts, digital media, music, film, theater, dance and public art for the enjoyment and enrichment of residents and visitors to Pompano Beach, Broward County, and the greater South Florida area. The department programs and manages the City's premiere cultural arts venues, including the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, Ali Cultural Arts Center, Bailey Contemporary Arts Center, and the Blanche Ely House Museum. The department also oversees the City's Public Art Program and the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts' Our Town grant awarded to the Pompano Beach Crossroads place-making arts initiative.

Related link: https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Regional Events

ACES Quality Management Announces Addition of Fannie Mae Executive Bill Cleary to ACES ENGAGE 2024 Agenda

DENVER, Colo. -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, has announced Fannie Mae Vice President Bill Cleary will speak at its annual ACES ENGAGE conference, taking place at the Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain hotel in Tucson, Ariz., May 19 - 21, 2024.

"We're pleased to welcome Bill to our ACES ENGAGE speaker lineup. It's our mission to provide ACES users and ACES ENGAGE attendees with the knowledge necessary to increase and improve QC within their organizations, and what better way to do that than speak directly with a GSE source," said ACES CEO Trevor Gauthier. "Bill is the perfect addition to our speaker lineup. We feel confident attendees will leave well-equipped with the QC knowledge needed for the year ahead."

ACES ENGAGE speaker lineup also includes keynote speaker Robyn Benincasa, a two-time world champion adventure racer, 20+ year veteran San Diego firefighter, 2014 CNN Hero, Guinness World Record Endurance Kayaker, best-selling author, and founder of The Project Athena Foundation. In addition, ACES has gathered thought leaders and industry experts, such as Joel Kan, vice president and chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association and Richard J. Andreano, Jr., partner and practice leader of Ballard Spahr's Mortgage Banking Group.

ACES ENGAGE provides a mix of general session presentations, panel discussions and social activities. Attendees will have numerous opportunities to learn from industry experts and thought leaders, network, and leave with the knowledge necessary to increase efficiencies, improve productivity and further quality at their organizations. Register to attend ACES ENGAGE and learn more at https://www.acesquality.com/aces-engage-2024.

About ACES Quality Management:

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control Software® to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 60% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 8 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 retail banks; and

* 3 of the top 5 credit unions in the United States.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment.

For more information, visit https://www.acesquality.com/ or call 1-800-858-1598.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Celebrity Chef Celeste, Regional Events, Restaurant, Hotel and Hospitality, Simply Celeste's

Simply Celeste’s Unveils ‘A Taste of Luxury’: A Black-Tie Affair, in Phoenix

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Simply Celeste's is proud to present "A Taste of Luxury": A Black Tie Affair in Phoenix, Arizona promising an unparalleled experience in culinary excellence, high-end fashion, craft cocktails, exotic vehicles, and live music. The event will be held March 16, 2024.

As the demand for exclusive and immersive experiences continues to rise, "A Taste of Luxury" emerges as a trendsetter in the Food and Beverage catering industry. In a world where discerning individuals seek unique and memorable experiences, their inaugural event will set the stage for a new standard of gratification.

"At Simply Celeste's, our vision is to provide an exquisite experience that rises above traditional expectations. 'A Taste of Luxury' is a manifestation of our commitment to offering nothing but the best," said Celeste Telley, CEO and Founder of Simply Celeste's. "We invite you to join us for a night that combines culinary artistry, luxurious ambiances, and entertainment while creating memories that last a lifetime."

"A Taste of Luxury' aligns with the growing trend of seeking creative and dynamic events," says brand strategist, Reshauna Striggles. "In the current market luxury is defined by personal experiences, this event raises the bar for those who appreciate the finer things in life."

Reserve your ticket today for "A Taste of Luxury" and prepare for a night that leaves the ordinary behind.

Guests will arrive at a transformed Private Jet hangar in Scottsdale to indulge in an expertly crafted menu featuring culinary masterpieces such as Seafood Dip Bruschetta, Zesty Chicken Skewers, Grilled Filet Mignon, Cajun Lobster Tail, and Simply Celeste's White Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake. The gastronomic journey will be complemented by curated craft cocktails and wine pairings, promising a symphony of flavors to delight the senses.

Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taste-of-luxury-gala-black-tie-affaire-tickets-802173000037 for ticket information and details.

A portion of event proceeds will be made as a charitable donation to benefit Millionaire Mastermind Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a proud partner in "Seeking to End Poverty Through Entrepreneurship."

Event Information Contact: Celeste Talley - Celeste@simplycelestes.com - email preferred.

About Simply Celeste's:

Simply Celeste's is a premier purveyor of luxury experiences, dedicated to curating events that redefine sophistication around meals. With a commitment to excellence, Simply Celeste's offers a range of services from gourmet catering to exclusive event planning. Our mission is to provide moments of pure indulgence, leaving a lasting impression on those who seek the epitome of luxury living.

For more information, visit https://www.simplycelestes.com/ or follow us on https://www.instagram.com/simplycelestes.

Related link: https://www.simplycelestes.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Black Home Initiative, Black Homeownership Symposium, Business, Real Estate, Regional Events

iEmergent CEO Laird Nossuli to present at Seattle’s inaugural Black Homeownership Symposium on January 26

SEATTLE, Wash. -- iEmergent, a forecasting and advisory services firm for the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries, today announced that its CEO Laird Nossuli will present at Seattle's inaugural Black Homeownership Symposium on January 26. Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), one of the oldest minority trade associations in the nation and its foremost network of Black real estate professionals, will unveil the findings of the first-ever Washington state edition of the State of Housing in Black America (SHIBA) report. Leveraging data insights from multiple sources the SHIBA report provides an in-depth analysis of Black homeownership in Washington today and the barriers that impede Black families in their pursuit of homeownership. Nossuli will present iEmergent's "Seattle: A Tale of Two Futures" analysis of the comprehensive, positive impact programs like the Black Home Initiative could have on the future of housing equity.

The Black Homeownership Symposium is co-hosted by local NAREB chapter Western Washington Realtists and the Black Home Initiative, a network of community groups, nonprofits, private companies and government agencies working to generate 1,500 new Black homeowners in Seattle by 2027. The free two-and-a-half-hour event kicks off at 5:30 pm Pacific at the historic Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in Seattle's Central District.

"The groundbreaking work being done by NAREB and each of the partner organizations who are part of the Black Home Initiative is critical to closing the Black homeownership gap," stated Nossuli. "The SHIBA report consolidates thousands of data points that quantify the indisputable housing inequity that began decades ago and continues to worsen and makes a strong case for why the housing industry needs to move away from the status quo. I'm looking forward to sharing our report, because it describes the key elements of the new paradigm for housing and quantifies the human, business and community benefits of this change."

Nossuli is a recognized expert on local homeownership data and trends who has consulted several municipalities on their diverse lending initiatives, most notably the Mortgage Bankers Association's CONVERGENCE place-based affordable housing initiatives in Columbus, Memphis and Philadelphia. Her firm's data and advisory services are employed by leading banks, credit unions and independent mortgage bankers nationwide to better understand and serve the needs of the markets they serve.

Register to attend the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wwr-black-homeownership-symposium-tickets-780989549767.

About iEmergent:

Founded in 2000, iEmergent provides mortgage lending forecasts and analytics to the lending, housing and real estate industries. The company offers an extensive variety of forecast and market intelligence products, including Mortgage MarketSmart, a visualization tool that helps lenders quantify how mortgage markets will change. For more information, visit https://www.iemergent.com/.

X/Twitter: @iemergent @REALTIST_NAREB #housingfinance #housingequity #housingeconomy #mortgage

Related link: https://www.iemergent.com

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Entertainment, Regional Events, SF Sketchfest

The Comedians with Disabilities Act makes its debut at SF Sketchfest at the Alameda Comedy Club!

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- The Comedians with Disabilities Act (CWDA) debuted in 2010 and has been going strong since. February 1, 2024 at the Alameda Comedy Club CWDA will make its SF Sketchfest debut. CWDA is a collection of comedians with disabilities, both seen and unseen. It was the brainchild of comedian Michael O'Connell. Michael passed away in 2016, but his comedy troupe lives on. Michael's legacy allows comedians with disabilities to develop their voices to receptive audiences across the country.

Steve Danner and Nina G are part of the original CWDA but have been joined by a cast of other talented Disabled comedians over the years. In addition to Nina and Steve, the SF Sketchfest show features CWDA regulars: Mean Dave, Michael Beers, Loren Kraut, Jade Theriault along with Hayden Kristal who will be joining the troupe for her first CWDA show!

Ticket information at: https://sfsketchfest2024.sched.com/event/1VUpj?iframe=no.

SF Sketchfest is a comedy festival taking place January 18 through February 4 in venues across San Francisco and the surrounding area. The multi-day festival will host more than 200 shows featuring major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming acts for sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, all-star reunions, live podcasts, and workshops. Now in its 21st year, SF Sketchfest is an internationally recognized, eclectic, and critically acclaimed festival that offers audiences a wide variety of special programming and the rare opportunity to see their favorite performers in intimate live settings.

The CWDA show will take place at the Alameda Comedy Club (in Alameda) on February 1, 2024.

SF Sketchfest featuring CWDA follows a trend in the larger entertainment industry: increase representation of the Disabled experience. Images of people with disabilities have traditionally been underrepresented and when they are it is often what many in the Disability community call "inspiration porn." The images are rarely complex, with Disabled individuals often being represented as "courageous," "overcoming obstacles" and "inspiring others." CWDA flips the script on all these images. The CWDA comedians speak about the awkward interactions they have with non-disabled people, reflections about their own disability experience as well as not talking about their disability at all. Their disabilities don't solely define these comedians but they also acknowledge the impact that it has had in their lives.

"CWDA being part of SF Sketchfest is a big deal because it shows that the disability experience is on the radar of comedy festival producers. The entertainment industry is finally seeing that there is a lot of talent in our community and that people want to hear about our experiences from us and not filtered through a Hollywood lens that doesn't challenge the status quo," adds comedian and lead producer of CWDA, Nina G. "That is why Disabled comedians are so important. They challenge how society thinks about disability and can help to change people's attitudes while also being hilarious and entertaining!"

These comedians are hilarious! This diverse group is formed each with a different disability experience and perspective. The following line up will be featured at SF Sketchfest.

Michael Beers won the Norman G. Brooks Comedy Competition at the Hollywood Improv in 2005. He was also the previous winner of Funny Fest (Calgary Comedy Festival) and has opened for comedians like Gilbert Gottfried. He is a sought-after keynote speaker on topics like humor, disability advocacy, education and community building.

Jade Theriault is a Forbes-recognized comedian who combines provocative thought with moving furniture. Jade is a regular at Alameda Comedy Club, Punch Line SF, Cobbs Comedy Club, Tommy T's, and the San Jose Improv where she opened for Jesus Trejo. Festival credits include SF Sketchfest, The Art of Female Comedy Festival (Wichita, KS), Palm Springs International Comedy Festival and the Westside Comedy Festival in Santa Monica, where she was honored for Best Joke of the Night. Jade starred in Malic Almaya's "RUN! " (2018), featured in Jeff Giordano's "Romantic Chorus" (2021), and was on an episode of MTV "Decoded" (2018).

Nina G is a comedian, author of Stutterer Interrupted and co-author of Bay Area Stand-Up Comedy: A Humorous History. In May 2023 her album debuted at #1 in Comedy on iTunes and Amazon. Her first comedy special, Nina G: Stutterer Interrupted, debuted in October 2023. She has shared the stage with comedy legends like Don Novello (aka Father Guido Sarducci), Mort Sahl and Disability activists like Judi Heumann and Jim Lebrect.

Mean Dave, a favorite in the San Francisco Bay Area, hosts several CWDA shows. Dave is in his tenth year of addiction recovery, which he ingeniously weaves into his humor. He's a regular at Punch Line SF & Sacramento, Cobbs Comedy Club, Laughs Unlimited, SJ Improv and has opened for many notable comedians like Josh Blue, Big Jay Oakerson, and Eddie Pepitone as well as performed at clubs and colleges across the U.S.

Steve Danner's comedy career began as an audience member at a comedy club. The comedian on stage started riffing with him. After Danner showcased his own riffing skills, the comic approached Danner after the show and suggested he give comedy a try. That soon launched a career as a comedian and producer. He's opened for many headliners such as "Last Comic Standing" winner, Felipe Esparza.

Hayden Kristal's quick wit and cheerful self-deprecation has earned her a spot as an "America's Got Talent" semifinalist, roles on Adult Swim/HBO Max's "Tuca and Bertie," and over a million followers on social media, but her true talent lies in naming horses things you might name a shelter cat. Hayden lives in rural Colorado with her four-legged friends Squidward, Chicken Elizabeth Nugget, Donkey Devito, and Debbi from Accounting.

In February, CWDA will have multiple shows in Northern California. Each show will have a different line up with Michael Beers headlining in Sacramento and Santa Rosa.

INFORMATION ON ALL SHOWS IS BELOW:

February 1, 2024: SF Sketchfest at the Alameda Comedy Club: 2431 Central Avenue, Alameda.

February 2, 2024 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars: 2784 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento.

February 3, 2024 at Barrel Proof Comedy: 501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa.

February 15, 2024 at Woodhouse Blending and Brewing: 119 Madrone St, Santa Cruz.

Ticket information and updates at: https://comedianswithdisabilitiesact.com/.

ABOUT SF SKETCHFEST:

SF Sketchfest, co-founded and directed by David Owen, Cole Stratton, and Janet Varney, produces the eclectic San Francisco Comedy Festival, the longest-running comedy festival in the U.S. SF Sketchfest is an internationally recognized and critically acclaimed event that mixes major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming comedians from around the world for over two weeks of sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, live podcasts, workshops, and panel discussions. SF Sketchfest offers its audiences the rare opportunity to see their favorite performers in intimate live performances and discussions.

In past years, SF Sketchfest has featured renowned comedy artists such as: Aziz Ansari, Fred Armisen, Dan Aykroyd, Maria Bamford, Dave Barry, Mike Birbiglia, Jack Black, Rachel Bloom, Carol Burnett, Dana Carvey, Cheech & Chong, Margaret Cho, Billy Crystal, Noel Fielding, Zach Galifianakis, Ricky Gervais, Christopher Guest, Eddie Izzard, Monty Python's Terry Jones, Key & Peele, Eugene Levy, Michael McKean, Kate McKinnon, Tig Notaro, Conan O'Brien, Catherine O'Hara, Patton Oswalt, Penn & Teller, Amy Poehler, Paul Reubens, Mort Sahl, Amy Schumer, Amy Sedaris, Garry Shandling, Harry Shearer, Robert Townsend, Aisha Tyler, George Wallace, Reggie Watts, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Robin Williams, and "Weird Al" Yankovic. The festival has also hosted film and television stars including Alan Arkin, Will Arnett, Candice Bergen, Bruce Campbell, Lizzy Caplan, Dick Cavett, Bud Cort, Ted Danson, Laura Dern, Danny DeVito, Sally Field, Nathan Fillion, Jeff Goldblum, Elliott Gould, Jon Hamm, Neil Patrick Harris, Bill Irwin, Ricky Jay, Rashida Jones, Cloris Leachman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jane Lynch, Parker Posey, Paul Rudd, Jason Schwartzman, Adam Scott, Jason Segel, Tony Shalhoub, and Gene Wilder; ensemble comedy groups The Kids in the Hall, Mr. Show, "Mystery Science Theater 3000," The State, "Drunk History" and the Upright Citizens Brigade; reunions of the casts of "Best in Show," "Airplane!" "Wet Hot American Summer," "Animal House," "Twin Peaks" and "Party Down"; musical guests David Byrne, Bill Frisell, Ben Gibbard, Tenacious D, Aimee Mann, The Monkees, Bob Mould, Rhett Miller, tUnE-yArDs, Nellie McKay, Robert Glasper, and many more.

LEARN MORE: https://sfsketchfest2024.sched.com/event/1VUpj?iframe=no

Related link: https://comedianswithdisabilitiesact.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Regional Events

FormFree president Eric Lapin to speak on artificial intelligence at MISMO Winter Summit

ATHENS, Ga. -- FormFree® today announced its President Eric Lapin has been selected to speak at the MISMO Winter Summit taking place January 8-11, 2024, at The Woodlands Resort just outside of Houston, Texas. Lapin will speak on a panel titled "Demystifying Artificial Intelligence, Digital Identity and Blockchain" during a brown-bag lunch session on January 9 from 12:30 pm-1:25 pm CT. He will be joined by fellow panelists Devin Caster, principal, product solutions at CoreLogic; Rishi Godse, principal technical architect at USAA; and Shawn Jobe, vice president and head of business development at Informative Research.

A mortgage industry veteran of more than 25 years, Lapin's experience at FormFree and past leadership roles at Old Republic (NYSE: ORI), Black Knight (NYSE: BKI), Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS) and Provident Bank (acquired by PNC) have made him an in-demand speaker on AI, blockchain and other innovative topics related to housing finance technology. His past speaking engagements include the Conference of State Bank Supervisors' Regulatory Summit, the Government Blockchain Association's Blockchain and Infrastructure Conference, Experience FinXTech and NAHREP's TechCon.

"Lenders that want to maintain their innovative edge in 2024 and beyond need to keep pace with the fast-evolving field of artificial intelligence and understand the risks and opportunities it presents to originators, investors and consumers," said Lapin. "By bringing this essential content to its Winter Summit, MISMO is helping mortgage finance leaders prepare for a fundamental shift in the way we do business."

The Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO®) is a not-for-profit, wholly owned subsidiary of the Mortgage Bankers Association responsible for developing standards for exchanging information and conducting business in the U.S. mortgage finance industry. Its three annual summits (Winter, Summer and Fall) facilitate networking and collaboration among industry colleagues while providing opportunities to learn the latest mortgage industry updates.

To register for MISMO's Winter Summit, visit https://www.mismo.org/events-education/mismo-summit-.

About FormFree®:

FormFree empowers consumers to understand their ability to pay and share it with lenders like never before. Using FormFree's Passport® app, consumers can verify all the core financial data required by loan underwriters - including identity, assets, income, employment credit history and cash-flow data - in seconds. Once consumers are ready to transact, they can anonymously share their verified data on the FormFree Exchange (FFX) and receive immediate offers from a marketplace of lenders who fully understand their ability to pay, residual income and eligibility for down payment assistance and inclusive lending programs. For more information, visit https://www.formfree.com/ or follow FormFree on LinkedIn.

Related link: https://www.formfree.com/

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