--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
UP FROM THE UNDERGROUND: ArtWallah 2005 Benefit Party
FEBRUARY 23, 2005, LOS ANGELES – ArtWallah celebrates its Sixth Annual Festival of the South Asian Diaspora to be held at Barnsdall Art Park and Gallery Theatre in Los Feliz from July 7-10, 2005. ArtWallah, the largest South Asian arts festival in the country, is well-respected for its mission to provide a platform and encourage dialogue for a group generally underrepresented in mainstream forums. The festival's impact continues to stretch beyond the South Asian community to all progressive, artistic communities and attracts diverse audiences and artists across the globe.
Since the focus of recent world events targets South Asia, ArtWallah 2005 not only wants this year's festival to be the strongest to date but one which reflects upon the tsunami in its tragedy and triumphs. As such organizers decided to fundraise for both the festival and tsunami-relief efforts with “Up From the Underground.” The title touches upon the underground music of the DJs and performers slated for the night, as well as paying homage to the tenacious spirits of tsunami survivors. In support of the tsunami relief efforts in Sri Lanka, 10% of proceeds from the Benefit Party will be donated to the Sri Yasodhara Orphanage Relief Fund dedicated to helping children who have lost home or family.
A gathering of innovative minds and a forum of creative expression, ArtWallah continues to provide its audiences with cutting edge performances. This year’s Benefit Party and Concert for Thursday, March 3 rd at Boardner’s of Hollywood proves to be just that. “Up From the Underground” provides partygoers with two rooms – the Outdoor Stage and the Indoor Dancefloor -- each with its own spin on underground music.
The Outdoor Stage is dedicated to hip hop and funk with emcees rocking the mics and DJs spinning and scratching off of vinyls. Starting on the stage and spinning throughout the night is DJ Milhouse Scoop spinning an eclectic mix of hip-hop, soul, jazz and rock with a common undercurrent of funk. Next up: Noah and The Renegade Soldiers, boasting a unique mix of hip-hop and political lyrics, which truly imbibe the renegade soldier state of mind. Trek-Life tops the night pairing freestyle and battle skills with big hooks and thumping beats.
The Indoor Dance Floor with Asian underground, bhangra and beats to make you move your feet features Rokfresh and DJ Trident. Rokfresh opens whetting the palate and warming the floor with sultry rhythms and soul to create a loungey vibe of electronica and downtempo. DJ Trident follows up dropping hot beats while fusing a seamless set of world, funk, mid-tempo, Asian Underground and, of course, bhangra. With two rooms, two vibes, and fundraising for two great causes – Tsunami relief and the South Asian arts – there’s no reason not to come out and support!
The festival kick-off would not be complete without a call for works. ArtWallah, Arts Festival of the South Asian Diaspora, is currently seeking innovative and original work for its sixth annual event. Established and emerging artists and artist-activists, both local and international, are invited to submit works that address political, cultural or personal celebrations/struggles. For more information please visit www.artwallah.org/festival .
ABOUT ARTWALLAH
ArtWallah, a non-profit organization fosters expressions of the South Asian Diaspora while creating and promoting dialogue between artists and diverse communities. The organization produces the ArtWallah Festival, an annual arts event showcasing dance, film, literature, music, spoken word, theater, and visual arts works rooted in the South Asian Diaspora. For more information, visit www.artwallah.org/festival or email info@artwallah.org.
EVENT LISTING:
ARTWALLAH 2005
Sixth Annual Arts Festival of the South Asian Diaspora
A Benefit Party and Concert, Thursday March 3rd
@ Boardner’s of Hollywood
1642 N. Cherokee Avenue , Hollywood CA
UP FROM the UNDERGROUND
2 ROOMS, 2 VIBES
Indoor Dance Floor:
asian underground, bhangra & beats to make you move your feet…
Featuring live sets by Rokfresh and DJ Trident
Outdoor Stage:
hip hop, funk, and emcees rocking the mics…
Featuring performances by Trek Life, Noah and the Renegade Soldiers, and live set by DJ Milhouse Scoop.
Cover: $10 before 10:30 pm
$12 after
10% of Proceeds Benefit the Sri Lankan Tsunami Relief Efforts.
For more information, please visit http://fotwa.org/tsunami .
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