Def Poetry Jam Co-Founder Bruce George Partners with Monogram Virtua Entertainment to Host Second Life Versions of Real Live Events

Santa Monica, CA, April 23, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Monogram Virtua Entertainment (http://monogramvirtua.com) has partnered with visionary executive producer, writer, poet and activist, Bruce George (SL name BruceGeorge Gumbo) to host Second Life versions of his Real Life events at the Bruce George’s, Word is Bond Poetry Club (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Monogramia%20Prime/130/197/89) on Monogramia Prime and the Monogram Virtua Convention Center (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Monogram%20Tria/202/136/22).

With an impressive array of accomplishments, George (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yApa7ZMI44A) is a recognized leader in the entertainment industry through his work at “Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam” which earned him a “Peabody Award”, “Milky Award”, “Upscale Showcase Award” and a “Trail Blazer Award”. With a vast literary career, his literary works in the form of poetry, prose and articles have been published widely. He has written testimonials for publications such as including Essence Magazine, Class Magazine and the Harlem River Press.

The multi-faceted George is Founder/Executive Consultant of Ebony Energy Talent Network that represents such talent and figureheads including Rev. Jesse Jackson, Paul Mooney, Amiri Baraka, The Last Poets, Malik Yoba, Dawn Robinson and more. George is an acclaimed resource in academia, having served on panels for Hampton, Harvard, The New School, Fordham University, Medger Evers, and Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and more.

George is affiliated with a new book, The Bandana Republic, a Literary Anthology by Gang Members and Their Affiliates, edited by Louis Reyes Rivera and Bruce George with a foreword by Jim Brown focuses on creative literature written by adolescents from such contemporary gangs as by Chaplains, Bishops, Sportsmen, Crips, Bloods, Latin Kings, Black Spades, Neta, Black Gangster Disciples and others. Includes work by former gang members who have gone beyond gangbanging and into the social and cultural arenas. The anthology showcases writing by Alicia Benjamin-Samuels, Oscar Brown Jr., Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr., Commander, Comrade X, Layding Kaliba, Dead Prez, Ruby Dee, Shaggy Flores, Erica Ford, The Last Poets, Jesús Papoleto Meléndez, Akua Njeri, Willie Perdomo, T. Rodgers, Luis J. Rodriguez, Leila Steinberg, Kublai Toure, Ted Wilson, Malik Yoba, and many more—all of whom have either come from urban gangs or were closely affiliated with street-based organizations. The Bandana Republic is set to be released June 2008. Now available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

George’s most recent project is as Founder and Executive Producer for “Bone Bristle, A Spoken Word Documentary,” which features critically acclaimed writers, poets and spoken word artists. He also continues his work with major grassroots organizations focused on improving conditions for people facing life challenges. George's recent publication, "Bandana Republic."

Monogram Virtua’s Co-founder remarks, "We are excited about the opportunity to have such a prestigious partner from the literary world who understands the importance of the virtual environment. Mr. George brings a wealth of knowledge, and vast resources from the literary community, and we are discussing plans of integrating the entire literary community in the Virtual Space. Authors will be able to sell virtual books to a global audience of virtual visitors. No longer do they have to be limited to appearing in front of a live physical audience. You can also appear at the same time for a virtual worldwide audience and sell to an every growing database. We are ecstatic about the opportunity to open the virtual mind up to a whole new audience, that include some of the greatest literary minds, poets, actors, and comedians alive today".

About Monogram Virtua Entertainment

Monogram Virtua Entertainment is a full service 3D virtual world consulting, building and design firm founded by filmmaker Randall K. Rubin and cutting edge digital entertainment technology expert Harold Whaley. Founded in the ever popular Second Life platform, which open its doors to the public in 2003 and has grown explosively and today is inhabited by millions worldwide, Monogram Virtua’s business centers around providing artists, entertainers, and entertainment business partners with a portal into a vast digital community, teaming with people, entertainment, experiences and commercial opportunities. Imagine creating any business you want in the virtual world and having customers from all over the globe, who visit, become exposed to your products, and purchase both real life and Second Life merchandise with real exchangeable currency in an environment free from the restrictions of physical commerce. Second Life currently supports millions of US dollars in daily convertible currency transactions and countless more in traditional commerce generated by virtual world advertising of real life products, and Monogram Virtua is a premium conduit to bridge the gap between real world entertainment and 3D cyber commerce.

For additional information, go to www.monogramvirtua.com

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For more information or interview requests, contact:

Andrea McCloud
anakalia@monogramvirtua.com
619.567.3413