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TOPANGA EARTH DAY 2010 Local Beneficiaries: Common Peace - 501C-3 Not For Profit Organization http://www.CommonPeace.org Topanga Community Food Garden & Fruit Trees at the Topanga Community House501C-3 Not For Profit Organization http://www.TopangaCommunityClub.org International Beneficiaries: Trees For The Future - 501C-3 Not For Profit Organization http://www.plant-trees.org Women's Earth Alliance - 501C-3 Not For Profit Organization http://www.WomensEarthAlliance.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 31, 2010 The Topanga Earth Day Organizing Committee and RockandStone, Topanga, Calif., March 31 – The 11th annual Topanga Earth Day festival, a 90 percent waste-free non-profit event, will unify people from around the world in celebration and promotion of ecological awareness, cultural respect and music on Saturday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., through Sunday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Set in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles’ original conscious-living community, the festival will give attendees the unique opportunity to learn about a variety of sustainable and holistic-living solutions through guest speakers and workshops, a healing village and ecological vendors who are “living by example” including Klean Kanteen founder Robert Seals. The annual tradition of local habitat preservation continues on Saturday when volunteers take part in the Topanga creek and berm clean-up, led by leading biologist Rosi Dagit of Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains. All volunteers receive a free day pass to the event. Like every year, festival-goers may catch a ride up to the Topanga Community House Fair Grounds on the Topanga Canyon Boulevard via biodiesel-powered shuttles by Bio Beetle. Once there, guests can experience a variety of demonstrations, community conversations and art, such as solar-powered ovens, thermal solar power showers and canvas vision prayer flag painting. The flags will be placed over an arundo structure made from an invasive plant gathered by the Topanga Creek Watershed. Under tipis and the arundo structure, experts will discuss social action, green technology, waste diversion, native Chumash healing plants with Cecilia Garcia, yoga, permaculture, plant an organic edible spiral herb garden with Caitlin Bergman, and more. Once again, Acro Energy will power the festival and the Mountain View Talkhouse stage by solar power. Local yogis and kirtan singers Govindas and Radha will begin both days of the festival by leading participants in traditional bhakti yogic practice of India. Following yoga on Saturday, Edwin Lemus will lead the “Opening Ceremony” featuring world flags in the “May Peace Prevail on Earth Ceremony.” He will be joined by authentic Lakota Nation Chief Marvin Swallow and Japanese Shinto Priestess First Lady Hiroko Matsuda Swallow. Colorful Caribbean skirt dancers and West African drummers and dancers will perform pieces by choreographer Cari Ann Shim Sham. Performances during the opening ceremony will include peace and meditation band Gaia Mama, virtuoso percussionist and oud player Hani Naser and very special guests. In the spirit of the festival’s ideals and purpose, an eclectic roster of international, national and local Los Angeles-area bands will perform on two stages throughout the weekend. Legendary Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winner (“Up Where We Belong”) musician/songwriter, activist, Native Canadian Buffy Sainte-Marie, Grammy-winner and Cuban percussionist Luis Conte, Leon Mobley & Da Lion, Donna De Lory, Moonalice, Lynx & Janover and international frame drummer Rowan Storm are a sampling of the notable musicians scheduled to perform. World music, blues, afro-Cuban, reggae, folk, rock and more are among the expansive musical genres represented. More information on additional featured bands is included at the end of this press release. Raw Inspiration will host the first-ever certified organic farmers market at the event. And now in its fourth year, the ecological fine art gallery will exhibit nature and statement pieces, and eco-inspired fine art made from recycled materials, including sculpture, collage, photography, painting and ceramics. Curated by exhibiting award-winning landscape and nature painter and photographer Alex Kube, the gallery showcases well-known local artists: LA guerilla artist/shutterbug Chuck U Farley, Southern California landscape painter Allen Capoferri, a photographic series of the spirit of the Sovereign Dine Nation by Demitra Tsioulos, recycled and natural fibers multiple-medium artist Cynthia Silverman, bird painter Mary Savage, abstract underwater life pieces by Patric Moran, Los Angeles mural painter and imagery and sound “artician” Ramiro Fauve, and visionary Lakota Nation ceremonial paintings by Chief Marvin Swallow. The children’s area will include festive activities, workshops, face painting and entertainment for children of all ages such as a prayer flag painting workshop sponsored by MUSE Elementary School. On Sunday, Kiddle Karoo will give puppetry and engaging children's performances. Since 2000, the festival’s core purpose has been to give back to local and global communities. Two-thirds of festival proceeds are donated to environmental awareness, preservation and survival programs for both local and international environmental non-profit organizations. This year’s local recipients are Common Peace (Santa Monica) and Topanga Community Food Garden & Fruit Trees at the Topanga Community House (Topanga); beneficiary international organizations are Trees For The Future and Woman's Earth Alliance. In collaboration with Universal Waste Systems and Zero Hero, the management has committed to ensuring that Topanga Earth Day remains a 90 percent waste-free event. All vendors use cups, utensils, garbage bags, napkins and plates that are biodegradable. In 2008, a crew of volunteers mulched all biodegradable materials, composting on site. During last year’s festival, which attracted over 6,000 people, 93 percent (1.32 tons recycling, 1 ton compost) of waste was diverted, with only 7 percent (10 bags of trash) going to the landfill. Recyclables are properly recycled with Universal Waste, LA County. At the “City of Dreams” attendees can learn from activists representing organizations such as Trees for the Future, Common Peace, Greenpeace, PETA and Conscious Alliance. Conscious Alliance – Art That Feeds – will be on site and on hand to accept non-perishable canned goods and donations, which will go directly to food distribution efforts to help feed communities most in need. Holistic specialists, solar-power, organic and sustainable farmers market leader Jennifer McColm and progressive thinkers will also speak. To view the complete list of speakers, click here. Those who seek individual holistic healing services are encouraged to visit the healing village at the event. The healing village will feature practitioners in reiki, massage, sound healing, and reflexology. Donations are appreciated. The 2010 Topanga Earth Day is produced by the Topanga Earth Day Organizing Committee and Rock and Stone, a project of International Humanities Center, a 501(c)(3) Charitable Trust. For all event details, visit: www.topangaearthday.org. Patrons are asked to make a $10 (suggested) donation per day of attendance. The festival takes place at the Topanga Community House Fair Grounds, 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, California, 90290. Featured international and national performers include: Buffy Sainte-Marie; Luis Conte (performed with Ray Charles, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood); Leon Mobley & Da Lion (toured with Ben Harper); Donna De Lory (toured with Madonna); Hunny Bunch (featuring Los Lobos drummer Victor Bisetti); Moonalice (Barry Sless, John Molo, Pete Sears, Ann and Roger McNamee); Arlan Schierbaum and Kara Grainger; Victor Bisetti (drummed for Los Lobos) and Danny Frankel (drummed for Fiona Apple, Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson); Lynx & Janover Local Los Angeles-area bands/performers include: Grateful dead tribute band Cubensis (West L.A.); Quactus (Silverlake; Hollywood); Delta Nove (Long Beach); emerging vocalist Griffith Frank (Topanga); peace, meditation and healing musicians Gaia Mama (Encino); Mystic Journey featuring Suzanne Teng (Topanga) to be accompanied by belly dancers from Melanie Kareem Middle Eastern Dance School (Topanga); Custom (West LA, Venice); I,Star (Topanga); The Chiefs (Topanga); Dana Wood and Dina (Topanga); Castano (Hollywood); Paul Kenny (Topanga); Shylah Ray Sunshine (Topanga); Ghost in the Machine (Woodland Hills, Topanga); Scott Vineberg (Topanga); Jazz Callner (Hollywood); Maya Bonn (Topanga) Regional bands: LetUsJam (Chico, Calif.); Truebudoors (Chico, Calif.); Singing Bear (San Francisco, Calif.)
Topanga Earth Day Organizing Committee & Rock and Stone / IH Center Non Profit 501C-3 present… on April 17th & 18th, 2010 1 Festival, 1 ton of Biodegradable Compost, 1.3 tons of Recyclables, 2 Days, 3 Music Stages, 4 Causes, 5 visual artists... 10 bags of garbage... 15 guest speakers... 20 Bands... 30 Production Coordinators... and… Infinite inspiration! At the Topanga Community House Fair Grounds 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd Topanga, CA 90290 Authentic musical performances, guest speakers, a gallery of ecological artists, The Proceeds & Our Commitment continue to promote respect, kindness, and harmony for our environment, cultural, and humanitarian projects for local and worldwide communities. 60% of the proceeds are donated to environmental awareness, preservation, and survival programs. In 2009 Topanga Earth Day contributed to International Causes; Earth Justice and Sea Shepherd and to Local Causes; the California Wildlife Center and the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains: Turtle Project. Recycling and Biodegradable Composting in collaboration with WE Earth, Zero Hero, and local volunteers dedicated to creating a successful 90% waste free event. All Vendors use biodegradable cups, spoons, forks, knives, garbage bags, napkins, & plates that are made from sugar cane, banana leaf, and corn created by Eco Products, and Think LLC. On April 20th 2009, (the day after the event) our crew sorted 1 ton of Biodegradable matter and was properly composted with Universal Waste’s industrial compost facility. The Recyclables, 1.3 tons were sorted and properly recycled with Universal Waste’s recycling facility. The final result was 10 bags of garbage at the end of a two-day festival hosting over 6,000 people. Organizations who join us: The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica For Press & Publicity Related Information, For All Other Information, Topanga Earth Day P.O. Box 671 Topanga, Ca 90290 USA
April 18th & 19th , 2009 The serene, oak tree covered hills of Topanga Canyon will be awoken on Saturday when volunteers take part in the annual Topanga creek and berm clean-up, led by local turtle researcher and scientist Rosi Dagit of Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains. Festival-goers may hitch a ride up to the Topanga Community House Fair Grounds from lower areas of Topanga Canyon via biodiesel-powered shuttles by Bio Beetle. Once there, they can experience a variety of demonstrations, speakers and vendors such as bike pedal-powered smoothies, experts on green technology, waste diversion, clean energy, environmental organizations, permaculture and 21st century agriculture. In the spirit of the festival’s ideals and purpose, an eclectic roster of international, national and local Los Angeles-area bands will perform on two stages during the weekend-long festival. Luis Conte’ & Afro Cuban Latin Jazz, Leon Mobley & Da Lion, Marc Ford sitting in with Big Organ Trio, Tea Leaf Green, Lili Haydn, and Steve Molitz (Particle and Phil & Friends) and Josh Clark (Tea Leaf Green) of Counter Clarkwise are a sampling of the notable bands scheduled to play. World music, blues, afro-Cuban, reggae, folk, funk, rock and more are among the expansive musical genres represented. Master of ceremonies Rainbeau Mars will lead the celebration on both days. More information on additional featured bands is included at the end of this press release. At the “City of Dreams,” attendees can learn from healers, yogis and holistic specialists through hour-long workshops or simply visit the healing village for services (donations appreciated) at the event. Highlighted topics and practices include: massage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, Oriental medical perspectives, Tibetan herbal remedies, yoga, tai chi, reiki and more. Each day awakens with a yoga class appropriate for all skill levels. On Saturday, internationally celebrated yogi Sean Corne will teach “Off the Mat” yoga. On Sunday, the spiritual love of Govindas and Radha, a group of Malibu-based bhakti yogis and kirtan singers, will lead participants in traditional yogic practices of India. The Green Station LA has created a kids-only venue to incorporate future generations into the eco-spectrum with “Ecos World,” a blend of theater, music, education and games centered on the green cause. The character Ecos, along with Earthman Dan and Solar Cindy, will explore sustainability issues such as recycling, reusing, and the basics of solar energy and water conservation through theater. Additional activities, workshops and entertainment for children of all ages will be provided. Since 2000, the festival’s core purpose has been to give back to local and global communities. Two-thirds of festival proceeds are donated to environmental awareness, preservation and survival programs for both local and international environmental organizations. This year’s local recipients are the California Wildlife Center (Piuma Canyon, Malibu) and Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, Turtle Project; the beneficiary international organizations are Earth Justice and Sea Sheppard Conservation Society. In collaboration with WeEarth, the management has committed to ensuring that Topanga Earth Day remains a 90 percent waste-free event. All vendors use cups, utensils, garbage bags, napkins and plates that are biodegradable. In 2008, a crew of volunteers mulched all biodegradable materials, composting on site. During last year’s festival, which attracted over 5,000 people, 93 percent of waste was diverted, with only 7 percent going to the landfill. Recyclables are properly recycled with Universal Waste, LA County. The 2009 Topanga Earth Day Festival is produced by the Topanga Earth Day Organizing Committee and Rock and Stone/IHCenter, a 501C-3 not-for-profit organization, and associate producers: We Earth, The Green Station LA. For all event details, visit: www.topangaearthday.org. Patrons are asked to make a $10 (suggested) donation per day of attendance. The festival takes place at Topanga Community House Fair Grounds, 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, California, 90290. Local Los Angeles-area bands/performers include: Big Organ Trio with special guest Marc Ford (L.A.); Nate LaPointe Band (Eagle Rock); didgeridoo and multi-instrumentalist Trevor Green (Huntington Beach); Luminaries (Venice); Mystic Journey featuring Suzanne Teng (Topanga) to be accompanied by belly dancers from Melanie Kareem Middle Eastern Dance SchoolKristi Bride and the Light (Venice); Jon T Howard (Redondo Beach);Yeh Dede, “godesses of worldly song” (Santa Monica); Maetar (Venice); Arlan Schierbaum (L.A.); Gaia Mama (Topanga); Preeta & The PeaceMakers (Santa Monica); The Breath Deeplies; Robby Elfman & Jazz Punks; Making Love To Life; Sun 7; Swamp Daddy; River Of Suns; Shari Elf; TwoFish; Dana Wood & The Porch Girls.
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Rock and Stone is a project of International Humanities Center,
a 501(c)(3) Charitable Trust.