Performances on Three Stages, Food, Global Vendors & Fun for All Ages MEDIA, Pa., Sept. 2
MEDIA, Pa., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The internationally-acclaimed African
Children's Choir(TM) -- recently seen on American Idol, The Ellen Show, and
performing with Mariah Carey & Sir Paul McCartney at Live 8 -- will bring
their Journey of Hope to Media, PA for a special appearance to support the
inaugural Fair Trade Live Concert on Sunday, September 14, 2008. The day-long
free concert and street festival, designed to raise awareness for the growing
Fair Trade movement, will feature many well-known global and local artists on
three stages from 12 noon to 8 p.m. and is expected to draw some 5,000
visitors. Visit the website via www.visitmediapa.com/fairtrade, for talent
line-up and festival news.
The African Children's Choir(TM) performs throughout the world bringing
hope and joy to everyone they encounter as they shine a spotlight on the
plight of African children and raise money to build and staff schools. Their
energetic and inspirational performance, which unites song and dance from the
entire African continent to showcase more than ten languages and unique
cultural dance traditions (and includes some gospel favorites), is sure to
delight the Fair Trade Live audience. The 24-member Choir is comprised of
children who could have lost all hope, but instead have overcome their
circumstances to make a positive impact on society by being a voice for
millions of children suffering in Africa.
The African Children's Choir(TM) was born in Uganda in 1984 following the
brutal reign of Idi Amin, which left hundreds of thousands of children
orphaned and starving to death. The singing of one small child inspired
founder Ray Barnett to recruit the first Choir from among these desperate
children. Their mission, described as a Journey of Hope, was and is to show
the world that Africa's most needy and vulnerable children have beauty,
dignity and unlimited ability. With a focus on education, the Choir is
currently caring for several thousand underprivileged children throughout
Africa and also serving as ambassadors for all African children who have
become orphans because of the AIDS pandemic.
Each year, a new Choir is selected, and children from the previous year
return to their homelands to attend school. Their education is completely
funded by The African Children's Choir(TM). Some continue on to university
programs, where they train to become doctors, engineers or other professional
leaders in Africa; while others receive vocational and technical training,
developing the skills they need to lead productive, fulfilling lives. Many of
the children, now young adults from previous Choirs, are working with The
African Children's Choir and relief organizations throughout Africa.
The Fair Trade Live Concert line-up includes Ballet Folclorico Mexico --
Hermanos Avila, the celebrated troupe that performs traditional folkloric
dances from Mexico; and the Brazilian band Minas. Popular local acts, such as
electronic hip-hop specialists Slo-Mo, led by Mike Brenner and rapper Mic
Wrecka and featuring Lauren Hart; and the band Fair Trade will also appear. A
"Fair Fair" will allow visitors to experience global culture as they navigate
a streetscape highlighted by the crafts, arts, dance, and cuisine of Asia, the
Americas, Africa and Europe and learn about the products that different
countries export through Fair Trade exchange practices.
Media, PA declared itself America's First Fair Trade Town on July 8, 2006
by meeting the five requirements established by the British Fair Trade
Federation, including having a certain number of Media retailers sell Fair
Trade products, and ensuring that the Media Borough Council pass a resolution
in active support of Fair Trade. Media's efforts have inspired seven other
U.S. towns to follow its lead in the last two years, and an estimated 50 more
towns are close to making the Fair Trade Town declaration.
SOURCE America's First Fair Trade Town Committee
