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GRAMMY® nominated multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, composer, producer and visionary, Gentle Thunder will host a benefit performance for the children of Global Camps Africa on Sunday October 25 at 5 p.m. at the Monarch Event Center, 6406 North IH 35 in Austin. Gentle Thunder will be joined by Austin based percussionist Roger Friend. In addition, there will be a special guest appearance by Austin’s own Susan Lincoln and members of the Hilde Girls, which was founded by Lincoln in Austin in 1998.
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Tickets are $25 general seating and can be purchased at www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/81090 or 24- hour charge at 800-838-3006. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door, however space is limited so advance ticket purchase is encouraged. Net proceeds from the event will benefit Global Camps Africa, a U.S. based nonprofit that provides a unique camp experience for children in South Africa affected by HIV/AIDS. To learn more, visit GlobalCampsAfrica.org.
“At camp, children learn that they matter—they have contributions to make and we celebrate them,” said Phil Lilenthal founder and CEO of Global Camps Africa who will be attending the concert. “The children have fun, they learn to swim and they learn music and they dance. They also learn to respect and protect themselves and each other. AIDS is typically a taboo subject in South Africa. At camp they talk about AIDS—the very thing that has devastated their lives and they learn how to prevent it.”
The camp is part education, part HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention and part crucial life skills, wrapped up in a spirit of fun and caring. Three 9-day camps are held each year for 135 to 270 children each time, depending on available funding. The children range in age from 11-16 years and are largely from the Soweto area of Johannesburg where black South Africans were relocated during apartheid. Many of the children are orphans; all are vulnerable.
To reinforce lessons learned at camp, Global Camps Africa sponsors bi-weekly Kids Clubs year-round at six locations in Soweto. The clubs provide life skills classes, meals and a safe, fun environment for children to learn and to grow. Mentors and counselors are at each club gathering, providing support to the children and continuity from the camp experience. More than one-thousand children attend each of these bi-weekly gatherings.
“In a country where it’s estimated that half of all 15-year olds will die of AIDS, each of us has the power to help stem the tide of children being affected and infected with this disease” Lilienthal said. “This benefit is inspirational and we hope will inspire others across the country to follow this lead in showing that talents can be combined with a humanitarian heart to help save children’s lives in South Africa.”
During this musical evening, Gentle Thunder will weave her magical grand hammer dulcimer, Native American flutes and percussion artistry by guest Roger Friend into a concert of love, prayer and well being for the children. Beyond Words with Will Clipman & AmoChip Dabney, Gentle Thunder’s third release, was GRAMMY® nominated Best New Age Album in 2006. Her most recent solo release, Opening the Gate was nominated Best Native American album in the 2007 New Age Reporter Lifestyle Music Awards. Austin audiences experienced Gentle Thunder’s heart filled musical presence last June at One World Theater with GRAMMY® nominated, multi-platinum former lead guitarist for Jefferson Starship/Starship Craig Chaquico, and in February 2009 with 5-time GRAMMY® nominated percussionist Will Clipman at Unity Center Austin. For more information visit GentleThunder.com
There will be a short reception prior to the concert, with the concert beginning at 5:30 p.m. A reception will follow with a stock-your-cellar wine raffle, CD signing by Gentle Thunder, arts and crafts from the children and from South Africa and an informal gathering to learn more about the camp and its program from prior camp counselors and Global Camps Africa volunteers.
“We want to focus on healing the Africa within each of us and the heart and soul of our planet by singing for children affected by AIDS, “said Lincoln. “One of our songs features awareness brought to the attention of the world by Nkosi Johnson, a young African boy who died of AIDS.”
For more information about Susan Lincoln and the Hilde Girls visit HildeGirls.com
“Please join us for an enjoyable and inspiring evening that will support the magic of these camps,” said Ginger McGuire an Austin resident and Global Camps Africa board member.
For further information contact Ginger McGuire at 512. 694.3392 or
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. For directions and map to the Monarch Event Center, visit MonarchEventCenter.com/map.php
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