For three days in three different locations this week, 2008 Dare to Dream Media & Arts Festival (April 16-19) is bringing together artistic talents from diverse backgrounds to celebrate and honor the experiences and contributions of immigrants in New York City. At the same time, it will also introduce alternative educational models aimed at nurturing global consciousness among underserved youth.

Produced by Bronx-born, Dominican community activist and visionary Joel Mejia, the Dare to Dream Media & Arts Festival is also the culmination of the Dare to Dream Project, a media arts initiative that uses immigration as a basis to teach media and arts to inner city youth.

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Milan tries its chic hand at a tradeshow this weekend. Cosmit’s Salone Internazionale del Mobile, together with the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, will host an international showcase of contemporary Italian furniture design. Running from April 16th to 20th, the event will open to the public at the Milan Fairgrounds in Rho on Sunday. Think of Saloni 2008 as a commercial/consumer treasure hunt for the next Cassina.

In addition to showcasing domestic constructions of “every conceivable style” at the fairgrounds, Cosmit will also host the opening of the Peter Greenway’s performance piece Leonardo’s Last Supper. A superb contrast to the aesthetic eye-candy exhibiting at the fairgrounds, Greenway’s Last Supper turns the infamous fresco into a multi-media digital spectacle.

Ubiquity has turned on the world, yet again, as another of the label’s producers brings the heat, changing the frequency of music. Last month, the anticipated debut of New Territories was released by London-based Eric Lau, arousing the press, the music junkies and the DJs ready to take it to the dance floor.

From beginning to end, the fourteen-song experience combines soulful beats and heart clutching vocals, taking you on a journey through the love of music. While some songs offer a completely new sound and approach, others could be compared to the late J Dilla, Platinum Pied Pipers and other tastemakers.

Gracing our ears while coming correct with Tawiah, Rahel and other lovies on vocals and production credits by Dudley Perkins, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Lupe Fiasco and more, this is just the beginning of the movement for Eric Lau.

Listen up here!