---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 12:49:12 -0500 From: Mara Vanderslice <[log in to unmask]> Reply-To: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [jubilee-usa-net] Rock Benefit CD goes to AIDS and Debt **Jubilee USA Update** WHAT'S GOING ON CD RELEASE AND TOWN HALL TOUR After the tragedy of September 11th, we have all been searching for ways to keep our message alive and reconnect with our local communities about issues of debt and global poverty. Jubilee, along with partner organizations, has been given an strange and exciting opportunity to set-up organizing events in conjunction with the release of a rock 'n roll CD. Bono of U2, a long time Jubilee spokesperson, and other rock stars under the new group Artists Against AIDS Worldwide, have re-recorded Marvin Gaye's 1971 hit song "What's Going On" in order to raise awareness about the global AIDS crisis. Their message is a simple one. In order to fight global AIDS we have to: Drop the Debt, Donate the Dollars and Treat the People. We are pleased to see the debt issue featured so prominently in this benefit CD, as well as on their website which includes a link to our site. Sales of their re-mix of What's Going On will go to benefit the Global AIDS Alliance, www.gaa.org, as well as to the United Way's September 11th Fund. They hope that the super-single will climb the charts after it is released this Tuesday (10/30) raising even more awareness of their cause. Please purchase and promote the What's Going On super-single. Available in stores NOW! You can find out more about Artists Against AIDS Worldwide at www.aaaw.org WHAT'S GOING ON TOWN HALL TOUR Jubilee USA and Global AIDS Alliance have initiated a Town Hall Tour in conjunction with the release of the CD and the U2 tour across the United States. We hope to promote maybe the first ever activist teach-in series connected to the release of a rock music CD. Please watch our website for more information. Many of our partner organizations are helping us plan these local forums to educate fans about AIDS, debt and global poverty. The "What's Going On Town Hall" meetings will be promoted on the AAAW website and publicized at U2 concerts. They have also included information about the community meetings in their press advisory about the song release. We are providing local groups with an exclusive behind the scenes video of the artists speaking out on why they care about these issues, flyers to help promote the events, draft press releases to use with local media and a presentation outline to follow. What's Going On Town Hall Tour If you live in one of the following cities and would like to find out more about the Town Hall meetings being planned, please contact: Mara Vanderslice at 202-783-0129 or [log in to unmask] Providence, RI November 6 Philadelphia, PA November 15 Denver, CO November 15 New York City, NY November 16 Austin, TX November 27 San Francisco TBA Salt Lake City TBA Los Angeles TBA _______________________________________________________________ Below is the official press release from Artists Against AIDS Worldwide FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ARTISTS AGAINST AIDS WORLDWIDE'S NEW SUPERSTAR VERSION OF MARVIN GAYE'S 'WHAT'S GOING ON' IN STORES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30 PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT AIDS CHARITIES & SEPT 11 VICTIMS RELIEF FUND; WEBSITE, VIDEO ALSO LAUNCH (Los Angeles, October 29) -- Artists Against AIDS Worldwide's new, all-star version of Marvin Gaye's 1971 hit "What's Going On," featuring Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Destiny's Child, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Fred Durst (of Limp Bizkit), Nelly Furtado, Marvin Gaye III, Nona Gaye, Darren Hayes (of Savage Garden), Ja Rule, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Lil' Kim, Aaron Lewis (Stain'd), Missy Elliott, Jennifer Lopez, Moby, Nelly, Nas, ?uestlove (of the Roots), Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani (of No Doubt), and Michael Stipe will be in stores on Tuesday, October 30. "What's Going On" features nine original mixes of the song by Jermaine Dupri (Original Mix and R&B Mix), Brian Eno, Moby, Fred Durst, The Neptunes, Junior Vasquez, Mike Mangini, and Mick Guzauski. The artists have participated in recording the classic song by Marvin Gaye in support of a new organization called Artists Against AIDS Worldwide (AAAW). The goal of the organization is to focus attention on the emergency affecting Africa and other impoverished regions - the global AIDS epidemic -which kills over 5,000 Africans daily. Proceeds from sales of the CD will benefit AIDS programs in affected countries and fund AIDS advocacy campaigns worldwide including, Global AIDS Alliance, Hope for African Children Initiative, and the Africa Alive! Youth AIDS Initiative. In addition, a percentage will benefit the United Way's September 11th Fund through the end of this year. "The song we've done is all about mobilization and action, because the missing ingredient has been political will," commented actress/singer Nona Gaye, daughter of Marvin Gaye. "We are all asking - What’s Going On? President Bush and other political leaders have made clear that the answer to the questions is incomplete with out considering Global poverty and AIDS. Those at risk from AIDS in Africa are the very poorest and cannot be forgotten. The congress and the administration should work together to provide $1 billion dollars of emergency money to fight AIDS in Africa." Bono said during his recent concert in NY City. "And when the dust settles and all this evil has been pushed aside, we can do something in Africa. We've seen what happens when Afghanistan implodes. Can you imagine what will happen if the entire continent of Africa is left to implode?" In conjunction with the release of the CD, Artists Against AIDS Worldwide is also launching its website http://www.aaaw.org. The site features exclusive behind-the-scenes video of the making of the CD and photos of the artists in-studio, among numerous other features that help site visitors take direct action to help in the fight against AIDS. Visitors to the site can also hear audio clips of all nine mixes on the CD, purchase the CD or make donations to Artists Against AIDS Worldwide. The site also contains the latest facts regarding the AIDS pandemic around the world and information on how visitors can contact President Bush and other world leaders to urge support for debt relief. The site was donated by the generous support of technology partners, iXL, VitalStream Inc., and Encode This!. Additionally, a video featuring many of the artists on the CD will premiere on MTV’s -TRL on Wednesday. The video, directed by Jake Scott, reminds people that despite labels and categories individuals use to differentiate one another -- and can blind us to the truth -- we are all human. These labels were incorporated into the performances of many of the artists in the video. Leigh Blake, founder of Artists Against AIDS Worldwide said, "This song was recorded in NYC on 5th and 7th September. Little did we know what was to follow. In the wake of our suffering, lets not forget the people of Africa, who also suffer terribly everyday, losing 5,500 of its citizens and one child every 30 seconds to AIDS. Lets unite, and create a global community based on safety and healing. They say America doesn't care about the rest of the world. Lets prove we do." Previously, Blake was also co-founder of the Red Hot Organization and King Cole Inc., which has produced several successful CD compilations to raise money for AIDS research and relief. The CD's release has been closely coordinated with campaigns of the Global AIDS Alliance to persuade wealthy governments, particularly the US, to do much more to help stop global AIDS and inequity. The CD release is timed with the release of letters from prominent members of Congress and from over 90 civic groups appealing for $1Billion in emergency funds to fight global AIDS. The CD has also inspired a range of allied advocacy groups to reach out to fans by inviting them to discussion and action sessions now planned in six major US cities where Bono and U2 have added "What’s Going On?" to their current tour. The meetings are designed to speak with ordinary Americans about AIDS, debt and poverty and explain what they can do to help. Artists Against AIDS Worldwide: AAAW is dedicated to raising funds and awareness to stop the spread of AIDS especially in Africa. AAAW wants to encourage political leaders to: 1. Drop the Debt (give deeper debt relief to the poorest affected countries) 2. Treat The People (make anti-AIDS drugs cheaper and more available to the poorest and most vulnerable people in Africa) 3. Donate the Dollars (rich nations like the USA should give more to the international fight against AIDS) AAAW combines high profile awareness raising initiatives with the ongoing efforts of AIDS activists worldwide. "What's Going On" is a production of Artists Against AIDS Worldwide. To unsubscribe from this list, just send an empty e-mail to [log in to unmask] People can subscribe by sending an empty email message to [log in to unmask] For full campaign news visit http://www.j2000usa.org Your use of Yahoo! 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