RELEASE.UK -- SAVE THE HOTLINE! TARA REZ & THE DUEL
STEVE'S STREET VOICE NEWSLETTER and link to all of his sites....
I look forward to June and the Fes Festival every year, but now instead of just looking forward, I hope to be there.
This year let's all go to Morocco for this event!
Fes, Morocco
FES FESTIVAL NEWS RELEASE FES FESTIVAL 2007
Great Music Galore but a Horse is the Star
The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music has established a unique reputation for its diverse offerings in the realms of high art and popular entertainment.
This year the 13th festival from 1 to 9 June, will feature a spectacular innovation which will add fresh enchantment to the programme.
To experience these magic moments visitors will have to leave their beds in the wee small hours – because on two mornings during the festival week, the French equestrian maestro Bartabas will be greeting the dawn at the Merinides quarry on his white stallion Le Caravage. He will be accompanied by two renowned Sufi musicians – the reed flute (ney) player Kudsi Erguner and the percussionist/vocalist Nezih Uzel.
Some people may choose to stay up all night, because once again the enormously popular late night rituals, performed by Moroccan Sufi brotherhoods, seem certain to attract big crowds. The intense excitement and ecstatic atmosphere of the Sufi Nights happen in the Dar Tazi gardens in the heart of the Fes medina.
Intimate afternoon concerts take place under the great Barbary oak at the Batha Museum. Outstanding this year are the Iranian diva Parissa, Aicha Mint Chighaly from Mauritania and Vasumathi Badrinathan with Carnatic songs from India.
Evening performances are staged in the Arabian Nights splendour of the Bab Makina palace courtyard. A major attraction this year is the Afro Rock star Johnny Clegg and his group from South Africa. The celebrated diva Barbara Hendricks (USA) is the star of the opening night, there will be a Whirling Dervish ceremony with Sufi brotherhoods from Turkey, Qawwali sacred music with Akhtar Sharif Husain from Pakistan and a performance from the great singer from Benin, Angelique Kidjo.
The programme is the brainchild of Cherif Khaznadar, a pioneer of world music and one of the most influential Artistic Directors on the scene.
The overarching theme of this year’s festival is Essence of Time, Spirit of Place.
2007 marks the 800th anniversary of the birth of the great Islamic poet, sage and spiritual guide Jalalludin Rumi, so tributes to his life and work are woven into the festival programme. Rumi was a man of his time, but his message is timeless. Fes is an ancient city, where the spirit of peace and reconciliation has become a beacon of hope in our troubled world.
For further information contact: Mary Finnigan +44 (0)117 330 8486
+44 (0)7808 988405
or :
RELEASE 1967 - 2007 RIP?
The unique Release help line has been running for 40 years and is needed now more
than ever. They receive about 1,000 enquiries a month from drug users and
professionals alike all over the country. In addition to legal expertise, offer
expert advice and support from dedicated drug treatment professionals. With
problems ranging from school exclusion to drug testing at work, drug offence
arrests to problems accessing treatment, many of their callers tell them they
didn't know where else to turn.
While claiming to recognise the value of this service, the government withdrew
funding for the help line last year after 20 years of support. Apparently there
is no longer any "mechanism" to allow central funding for national
organisations such as Release.
Release are not exaggerating when they say it is a monthly battle to keep the
help lines open - whilst the government's well funded drug information help line
and website ASK FRANK, continues to refer callers to RELEASE - particularly
those who require expert information and need to discuss complex issues in
detail.
I recently found out through my own source that ASK Frank sponsors a chart show
on KISS FM with some of the government funded money. THIS is so sick it makes my
stomach turn. its not cheap sponsoring a chart show!! - you have to have money
to throw away if your doing that -
With the money they use to show off their brand with Kiss FM would probably help
pay for some of the services and people who are working for nothing just because
they care. To the people running the help line - its a vocation NOT a career.
What do we need from you ?
If you are in PRESS/MEDIA - please help us by writing about it and encouraging
donations and pledges from the public.
Unfortunately there is no other source of income for this help line, that amongst
their time have helped even the likes of Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Mick
Jagger and many many more who can be seen on the Release Roll of Honour.
Unfortunately in this day and age its very difficult for Release to get close to
even letting some of these people who they have helped in the past, know what
the current situation.
If you are a Band or Promoter - put on a benefit gig and help raise awareness
and money, so this service can be available for those who need it most but have
the least help.
OK, if you're neither of the above and you feel you can part with even as little
as £5 per month - any pledge will help
Pledges and donations can be made here :
PLEDGES
AND DONATIONS HERE
and finally a repost to your friends list may help too,
any other way you feel you can help please get in touch,
tara@ffruk.com
Volunteer PR/Fundraiser
RELEASE
Paparazzi & Gossip
James Edstrom, friend and photographer has a marvelous new site for those who need to be in the know:
I am a big fan of Steve's ability to orchestrate so many voices in this
newsletter. The report from an American marine is particularly interesting......
Click on the photo to go to the newsletter or any of the other highlighted links!
Street Voice Political Site
/ Street Voice Music Site
PO BOX 410 / MARGATE / KENT / CT9 3RB / ENGLAND / UK
EMAIL
EDITORIAL
Hey peeps it's been a while since the last newsletter came out. This was due to
a heavy work load over the past couple of months and of course some changes that
have been put into place.
You will have noticed that I have split Street Voice into two categories. One
part of Street Voice is political and the other part is dedicated to music. The
reason for this is I know some of you are in to just the music, some just into
the politics and others into both so I've gone out my way to please you all.
The basis of the Newsletter will continue how it's always been done by mixing
music and politics. It's worked so far so no point in changing the direction
now!
As usual I am always looking for new bands and new writers so if you want to
contribute something please check out the contact details at the top of page.
Hopefully you will enjoy this latest edition as much as I've enjoyed putting it
together. Please feel free to write in with any comments be they negative or
positive.
Rock On!
Steve DIY
