Liyana USA Tour 2009

The Liyana story is garnering attention everywhere. As a result, a growing number of celebrities and organizations have stepped forward to support and participate in the tour. Each Liyana performance will be unique and powerful, with the combination of the band's talent, and the partnership of a wide range of musicians, artists, and venues. Some of the partnerships and performances are described below.

Executive Producers and Co-Producer/Presenter

The PG Family Foundation (PGFDN) is a 501-c-3 organization with a special commitment to venture philanthropy, and a mission focused on Education, the Arts, Health, and Human Services. Led by Jonathan Plutzik, retired Vice-Chairman of Credit Suisse First Boston, and Wall Street Executive Lesley Goldwasser, recipient of a 2006 Leadership Award from the National Organization for Women, PGFDN collaborates on projects of critical importance to underserved and marginalized communities, domestically and internationally. PGFDN has recently been recognized for its groundbreaking ZARA Center program in Zimbabwe that provides respite care and education to children and families impacted by AIDS. For more information: contact Deborah Briggs, Executive Director, PG Family Foundation at (212) 957-4979.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a non-profit state-of-the-art mobile Pro Audio and HD video recording facility that provides hands-on experiences for students. The Bus provides tours and workshops at a wide range of venues: for schools, retailers, festivals, on tours with headlining artists, and at major industry conferences. As a 501(c)(3) venture, the Bus is made possible through the generosity of sponsors including Maxell Corporation, Apple, NAMM, Roland, Sony, Godin Guitars, Edirol by Roland, Ableton, Sibelius, Mackie, Digital Media Academy, Crate, Ampeg, Audio-Technica, Apogee, Sonicbids, Digidesign, Aphex Systems, Musician's Friend, Neutrik, Glyph Technologies, Noise Industries, Disc Makers, Smart Technologies, Bogen Imaging, IK Multimedia, McDSP, Music Player Network, Propellerhead, Abaltat, OurStage, Gretsch Drums, and Boss. The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is made possible by an agreement with Yoko Ono Lennon.

Celebrities / Industry Advocates / VIP's

Bobby Sager, Photographer and Social Journalist has entered into special arrangement with the Liyana Tour to screen a video version of his cutting-edge photography collection 'Invisible Sun' at two special showings scheduled for Columbia University, on January 27. Traveling the world to capture the experiences of common people, sharing the challenges of living in times of joy and struggle, Sager's photographs capture the essence of the 'one world' philosophy. 'Invisible Sun' was featured on Sting's last World Tour.

David Broza, Singer/Songwriter, has spent his professional career committed to a wide range of Humanitarian causes - with special interest in giving voice to those whose voices cannot be heard. Raised in a multi-cultural family, fluent in several languages, and adept at communicating a sense of caring for the world through his magical use of melody and words, Broza has donated two appearances to the Tour, at Congregation Rodeph Sholom where he will appear with Liyana and hundreds of choral performers, for an audience of 1000 patrons. At Columbia University Teachers College, he will appear with Liyana for 500 students in Harlem Public Schools, in a more intimate event that will be carried via www to students throughout the City of New York.

Fred Terrell, Partner, Provender Capital Group, LLC (Chair, Liyana Tour -- Special Friends and Advisors) served as advisor and advocate for the Liyana Tour project, garnering participation and support from a wide range of other professionals, across the nation.

Herb Trawick, Partner, Kalimba Entertainment, provided critical strategic guidance to assist in navigating the challenges of bringing Liyana to the states, linking executive producers to partners in media, public relations, and the entertainment industry, on both coasts.

Dr. Edgar Mandeville, Chief, Harlem Hospital Center; Professor, Columbia University provided medical consultation and collaborated with colleagues at St. Luke's Hospital to advocate for the Liyana Band.

Dr. Leslie King Hammond, Director, Center for Race and Culture at Maryland Institute, College of Art (Chair, Liyana Educational Conscience Initiative) provided leadership to ensure that Liyana outreach was content-valid and appropriate considering the importance of its subject-matter. She co-led a day-long summit, attended by educators from all East-coast Liyana performance venues, to consider the importance of balance in addressing issues of ability/disability, and global arts/performance. (See liyanatour.com-- 'Learn from Liyana' for the results.)

Shelley and David Lasker (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) provided an on-the-ground link to information during the 6 month period leading up to the tour. As owners/proprietors of a manufacturing company, they contributed performance attire for the tour, and designed the tour logo. Shelly continues her longtime commitment to KGVI by teaching English there this year; she is a long term advocate for the rights of disabled youth in Zimbabwe.

Trade and Corporate Support

The National Association of Music Merchants has provided significant in-kind support for the tour. They are also presenting an award to Inez Hussey, Director of KGVI, for contributions to the field of Music Education, as exemplified in the mentorship and achievements of Liyana. Ms. Hussey will serve as one of the Grand Marshall's of the opening day festivities of the Annual NAMM Conference, which welcomes 60,000 visitors annually. Liyana will also be in residence at NAMM for five days for live stage performances and concert that will be carried internationally by the world-wide-web.

Apple Corporation and MacWorld will host Liyana and local youth in the studios of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus for an extended stay, culminating in public performances of newly created songs and videos. While at these events, Liyana will partner with the JLETB to advocate for the importance of arts education, using their own life experience as an example of the power of creative pursuits.

Aeropostale Inc. has provided financial support for the Liyana tour, and has provided a 'shopping spree' in one of their mall stores where the band can select new clothing that they can take home to KGVI.

The Betsy Hotel in South Beach provides major support for the Liyana Tour as part of an emerging philanthropy program. Revitalized by an extensive renovation, the Betsy will re-open its doors in February 2009. During fall 2009, The Betsy will spearhead an exciting project in partnership with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus to highlight the exciting world of arts and culture in South Beach. (For more information: www.thebetsyhotel.com)

Disneyland has invited Liyana to be guest performers and has given them free passes to enjoy a day at Disney.

Madiba Restaurant, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn will host a reception featuring African cuisine for the 500 guests who attend Liyana's first performance on American soil.

Digital Media Academy, in cooperation with the Stanford Bookstore and other campus organizations, collaborated with Tour Producers to sponsor residency and concert programs at Stanford University. The Digital Media Academy also provided instruction to Liyana band at MacWorld 2009, in San Francisco.

Arts and Advocacy Community

Roxbury Arts Center will feature a performance for a standing-room-only crowd in Upstate New York, and has provided an overnight stay at a ski resort, to give band members a chance to enjoy snow for the first time.

The Center for Race and Culture shared its Director, Dr. Leslie King Hammond, who provided thought leadership to Liyana East coast venues in setting an educational framework for the Tour.

Sager Family Traveling Foundation and Road Show provided major financial support for the Liyana tour. Founder and President, Bobby Sager, noted philanthropist, entrepreneur, and photographer, has travelled globally, to document world culture through the eyes of children and families - and is making his work available through special arrangement to selected Liyana tour venues. "... these are real children, facing real issues, in some of the most desperate places in the world, but the real payoff are the pictures of strength and happiness that give us hope that even in the midst of tremendous hardship, the human spirit finds a way to persevere and overcome" (www.teamsager.org)

Linda Mirels - To further fulfill a commitment to the health and welfare of children, and to build on a family history of support for projects in Africa, Linda Mirels' contributions are supporting concerts in the NY region.

The Lafayette Inspirational Ensemble appears in two Liyana East Coast 'kick off' performances - at their home church on January 2 in Fort Greene and on January 26 at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, in Manhattan. Led by award winning performer, Janis Russell Weatherly, the Ensemble brings their special brand of Gospel to the stage, culminating in a shared rendition (with Liyana) of 'We are the World'.

Higher Education

Rutgers University, hosts of the Liyana band for the full period of their East Coast Tour, and proud of their reputation as the most diverse university in the Nation, will feature a Liyana in concert on January 29. Local youth jazz performers and celebrity special guests will appear. The concert is free and open to the public.

Stanford University Bookstore in cooperation with other partners is sponsoring a multi-day residency, featuring Liyana in creative collaboration on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, followed by traditional and non -traditional concert presentations. All events are free and open to the public.

Columbia University, Teachers College is hosting 1000 Harlem Public School Students in 2 performances by Liyana with guest appearances by celebrity performers from the genres of jazz, and international world fusion. Professors from the Music Program will develop outreach materials for their concerts, which will be shared via the Liyana website with others, nationwide. One hundred seats at each performance are available to the public

Towson University shared the talents of Suzanne Rotkovitz, Director of the Arts Integration Institute, in designing content-valid concert education materials with the potential to resonate to the diverse audiences reached on the tour. This information is posted on the "Learn from Liyana" section at www.liyanatour.com

Major Performance Venues

House of Blues - LA has designed a special concert program for 100 underserved urban students.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center has opened the doors to one of their newly-renovated theaters to host 1000 local public school students from Newark in two special concerts, the last of the tour.

Independent Schools

Riverdale Country School is the home school of Rachael Goldwasser Plutzik founder of ZARA Center, an AIDS Education and Outreach Program in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Riverdale is noted as one of the outstanding independent high schools in the nation with a highly competitive and challenging academic program.

Park School of Baltimore will appear at three Liyana events, to premiere new a capella arrangements of iThemba Lami, the South African folk song (Molly O'keefe, arr. ) , and Imagine (Jeff Briggs, arr), a tribute to John Lennon, and his vision for a peaceful world. Park's programs include character education, community service, and a wide range of arts offerings; it's faculty development initiative, FACA, is recognized nationally.

Faith-based Support

Congregation Rodeph Shalom and Riverside Church and Memorial Baptist Church will collaborate on an interdenominational, intercultural event, featuring an appearance by a major global performer. There will also be appearances by youth and professional choral groups from each of the institutions. The program will conclude with an audience sing-along of Yiheye Tov (Translated from the Hebrew -- Things will get better) and iThemba Lami, a South African folk song. The concert is free and open to the public.

Lafayette Presbyterian Church, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn is hosting a "Welcome to America" event, featuring local jazz musicians, and the Inspirational Gospel Ensemble (recently featured in a documentary by Phil Donohue). Lafayette is an intercultural, progressive, congregation that celebrates diversity. Fort Greene is the home to NY's largest community of African immigrants. The concert is free and open to the public.

Tour Schedule

DATE	CITY	VENUE	EVENT	TIME	AUDIENCE
January 2	Fort Greene	Lafayette Ave Presbyterian Church	Benefit and Welcome Party w/Gospel Choir	5 - 7:30 PM	Public
January 4-5	San Francisco	Moscone Center MacWorld	Lennon Bus Collaboration	8:30 AM - 6 PM	Conference Attendees
January 6	San Francisco	Moscone Center MacWorld	Apple Launch Party Liyana with student artists	6:30 - 8 PM	Conference Attendees
January 7	Lafayette	Stanley Middle School	Liyana in Concert	11:20 AM - 1:30 PM	Public School Students
January 8	Oakland	Westlake Middle School	Liyana in Concert	9:23 AM	Public School Students
January 9	San Francisco	Moscone Center	MacWorld Pulse Press Event	3:30 PM	Conference Attendees
January 11	Stanford	Stanford University Residency	Lennon Bus Collaboration	9 AM - 5 PM	College Students and General Public
January 12	Stanford	Stanford University Residency/Concert	Bookstore Patio	12 - 1 PM	College Students and General Public
January 12	Stanford	Stanford University	Liyana in Concert	Evening	General Public
January 14	Anaheim	Disneyland	Liyana in Concert	TBD	General Public
January 15	Anaheim	NAMM-Teleconference	Liyana in Concert	12 PM	Attendees - Live International - Virtual
January 15	Anaheim	NAMM- After Hours Party @ Lennon Stage	Liyana in Concert	6 PM	Arts Educators
January 16	Anaheim	NAMM-Lennon Stage	Liyana in Concert	11 AM	Attendees
January 17	Anaheim	NAMM-Lennon Stage	Liyana in Concert	1 PM	Attendees
January 18	Anaheim	NAMM-Lobby	Liyana in Concert	11:30 AM	Attendees
January 19	Los Angeles		Filming on location for IThemba: the documentary
January 20	Los Angeles		Recording on the JLETB for iThemba: the documentary
January 22	Los Angeles	House of Blues	Tour House of Blues Liyana in Concert	10:30 AM	Public School Students (LA)
January 23	Malibu	Contact jgeffen@jagpr.com for information	Benefit for KGVI	Evening	By Invitation Only Contact jgeffen@jagpr.com
January 26	NYC	Rodeph Shalom Congregation	Benefit for KGVI and Liyana Tour with superstar David Broza in an Interdenominational concert with CRS Rodeph Sholom, Riverside Church and Harlem Memorial Baptist Church Choirs, the Lafayette Inspirational Ensemble, Park School Eightnotes, and Cantor Rebecca Garfein	7 PM	General Public
January 27	NYC	Teachers College Columbia University	Concert featuring Liyana Live and on stage, with special showing of Invisible Sun by Photographer Bobby Sager. Youth Singers	10:30 AM	(Harlem) Public School Students 100 open seats
January 27	NYC	Teachers College Columbia University	Concerts and Q/A featuring Singer/Songwriter David Broza with Liyana. Opens with special showing of Invisible Sun by Bobby Sager. Concert and QA streamed onto WWW.	1:30 PM	(Harlem) Public School Students 100 open seats
January 28	Bronx	Riverdale Country Prep	Liyana in Concert with School Premier of new Music Video by Liyana, DIVERSITY, created at MacWorld 2009 on the Lennon Bus w/ Students from the SF School for the Arts. Meet Brian Rothschild, Director of the John Lennon Bus Educational Tour Bus.	1:20 PM	Private School Students
January 29	Newark	Rutgers-Newark Paul Robeson Center	Liyana in Concert with University Premier of new Music Video by Liyana, DIVERSITY, created at MacWorld 2009 on the Lennon Bus w/ Students from the SF School for the Arts. Meet Brian Rothschild, Director of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus.	4:30 PM	General Public
January 30	Cedar Knolls	Chambers School	Liyana in Residence, featuring a student-run press conference, followed by up to four concerts designed for disabled students.	10 AM - 2 PM	Disabled Public School Students
January 31	Roxbury	Roxbury Arts Center	Benefit for KGVI and Liyana Tour Liyana in Concert, with a meet-and-greet by filmmakers Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett about iThemba: the documentary.	3:30 PM	General Public
Feb 2	Newark	New Jersey Performing Arts Center	Liyana in Concert, on stage in the state-of-the-art New Victoria Theater. The band's final appearance in the US, before returning to Zimbabwe on Feb 3.	12:30 PM	(Newark) Public School Students
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