Deliver Your News to the World

More Than 60 Independent Artists Perform To Benefit Katrina Victims


WEBWIRE

September 9, 2005…New York, NY…Event planning firm Marketing Pros, hosts 1st Annual Cornucopia Music Festival in Washington DC at six different venues between September 11 and September 18, 2005 during which time over 60 artists from all musical genres will perform in an independent effort to raise funds for Hurricane Katrina victims. What started as an outlet of expression and peer-building for independent artists, has now become a circle of hope that fuses the latest techno-media of podcasting, Premium SMS text message voting and live online radio broadcasting, to reach a wider audience, and raise funds.
“Cornucopia originally started as a musical celebration that we hoped would bring fans and musicians together to share, celebrate and rejoice in the power of song and dance. In the wake of the Katrina tragedy, we hope to convey a much stronger message,” says Karen McFarlane, President of Marketing Pros. “Now we will use the power of song to help those in need. Although, our artists may not have achieved commercial airplay or recognition, they can still make a great impact by taking advantage of available technology that we can use to continually raise funds even after the event. By transforming Cornucopia, we provide that outlet and hope to make a difference in at least one of the many thousands displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
In an effort to raise funds that will be donated to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, Marketing Pros will donate $1.00 from each ticket sold, 50% of the proceeds from general merchandise sales, 100% of the proceeds from the text message voting earnings and 100% of proceeds earned from the sale of an official “Hope” T-shirt available for sale online. Additionally, Marketing Pros is planning to release a Cornucopia Live CD/DVD compilation and is exploring ways, with the help of the artists, to maximize the marketing potential of this project and other subsequent post event projects that can raise funds over a period of time. “The affects of this tragedy will ripple across this nation for years to come,” comments McFarlane. “This is just the beginning. This needs to be a continual effort.”
Additionally, wherever possible, Marketing Pros has converted grand prize winnings to their cash value in order to provide winning artists with the option of donating all or part of their winnings to the Red Cross. Marketing Pros will also collect donation items each night of the festival that will be dropped off to the appropriate outlets. Attendees that bring five or more items will receive $2 off of admission.
In support of the effort, some of the participating artists have also decided to contribute. “We strongly support the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, and strongly urge other artists and musicians to do the same. Knowing how important New Orleans is to the history of music in America, it is especially crucial for people in the music industry to show support, says Joe Deninzon, lead singer of Stratospheerius. His CD, Live Wires is currently available for sale at www.joedeninzon.com. You can see him perform at the Cornucopia Music Festival on September 16th and Café Mawanoj or text in CORN STRATOS to 64482 to vote for him.
Cornucopia will take place at the following Washington, DC based venues.

- 9/11 - Republic Gardens, 1335 U. Street N.W.
- 9/13 - Cafe Mawonaj, 624 T. Street N.W.
- 9/14 - Island Café, 829 Upshur St NW.
- 9/15 - Phish Tea Café, 1335 H. Street, N.E.
- 9/16 - Cafe Mawonaj, 624 T. Street N.W.
- 9/18 - Mirrors - 9/18/05, 33 New York Avenue, N.E.

One artist will be selected for the first five nights based on crowd response to compete in the final jam session. Votes will be measured by applause, online voting at www.cornucopiajams.com and Premium SMS Text Message Voting. For the grand finale, a select panel of judges will rate the Final 5 on overall performance, audience response, creativity/originality, lyrical content and star quality. The event will be broadcast live online by Tight Net Radio, a Live 365 station, UrbanSoulNation.com will podcast artist interviews each day after the event, and Premium SMS Text Message Voting will take place using the PockitPoll text voting technology provided by Message Scape, LLC.
Details regarding the Cornucopia Music Festival can be accessed at www.cornucopiajams.com. This event is sponsored in part by SonicBids.com, Downtown Locker Room, Universal Madness, Listen Vision Studios, Evolution Soul Music, Black Cat Records, DCRapTV.com, RhythmPlaza.com, and Secret Society Entertainment.

About Marketing Pros
Marketing Pros is a cutting-edge marketing and event planning firm that can help your organization maximize opportunities to build brand awareness, improve customer loyalty and generate revenue for your product or service. Marketing Pros provides comprehensive marketing communication, event staging and talent management and booking services with additional capabilities in partnership marketing and fundraising initiatives that are planned to last beyond the day of the event. Marketing Pros has produced the ID independent music conferences, Cornucopia, festivals, seminars and workshops across the United States. Visit www.marketingpros.net.



WebWireID4058





This news content may be integrated into any legitimate news gathering and publishing effort. Linking is permitted.

News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.