Michael Franti & Spearhead perform benefit concert in New Orleans 9th Ward!

Monday April 28, 2008

Date: Friday, May 2
Time: 9:00P
Location: Common Ground Headquarters 1800 Deslonde St. @ Tennessee St. (Off N. Clairborne Ave.) New Orleans, LA
Performers: Michael Franti & Spearhead, Rebirth Brass Band, TBC Brass Band (Youngest New Orleans Brass Band!)

FREE EVENT! DONATIONS ONLY!

In 2005 Hurricane Katrina and Rita devastated New Orleans in the greatest national disaster in American history.

Breached levees and rising flood waters forced people to abandon the great city, and the world watched in disbelief as government at all levels failed to provide timely and effective relief. The cost in human lives and dislocated families, and the loss of property and communities, has exacted a toll that will never be forgotten…and all this is still being felt today.

In the aftermath of this widespread destruction and before the floodwaters receded, Common Ground Collective (CGC) was formed to meet the emergency needs of New Orleans residents. Starting with just $50 and three committed founders, people from all walks of life came together as CGC to provide some of the first available disaster services in the city. Without CGC’s immediate assistance, including food, water, and supplies given to the thousands of low-income residents unable to evacuate, the death toll in New Orleans would likely to have been much greater. Over the course of one year, this effort has grown to include 10,000 volunteers from around the world supported by $1.8 million in donations from more than 2,000 CGC donors.

Since CGC’s founding, it has spearheaded multiple relief and community-building projects in New Orleans. A partial list of accomplishments includes:

- Provided direct and indirect services, supported by 9 distribution centers, to approximately 450,000 people in seven Louisiana parishes
- Operates three free health clinics, the first established just nine days post-Katrina, serving over 15,000 residents, workers and volunteers
- Cleaned and gutted over 750 homes, 12 churches, 4 daycare centers, 12 schools and numerous offices, businesses, parks and streets.
- Operates several media centers with free phone, fax and internet access, andthat serve as information clearing houses.
- Established green environmental programs includent microorganism-based mold removal, wetlands restoration, soil bioremediation, and community garden restoration.

As there is still a tremendous amount of assistance needed in the 9th Ward…we ask that everyone bring their checkbooks to make a donation to Common Ground…especially considering this show will be FREE! For more info visit www.commongroundrelief.org

POWER TO THE PEACEFUL!

Michael Franti and Spearhead Artist Page