PRESS RELEASE

SOLID EARTH – A NIGHT OF MUSIC, PERFORMANCE AND DISPLAY TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE SUDAN APPEAL

Who we are…
Solid Earth is a collective of artists, musicians, technicians and creative media types who have come together on a voluntary basis to organise a series of events to raise money for various causes, the first of which will be the Sudan crisis.

What we’re gonna do…
We are working with a vivid collection of performers, DJs, speakers, poets and bands across Manchester - some famous, some not - but who are all willing to donate their time and talent to create quality, eclectic events and help raise cash for people in dire need.
Through these events, we hope to forge a strong union between different groups in the community and a feeling of solidarity in raising money for these important causes.

The Event…
Solid Earth’s first (and eponymous) event is a night of music, spoken word, DJs, films and theatre to be held at the Contact Theatre on 6 November.
Within the venue we have three separate spaces that will each host an eclectic line up for the night. In addition to this there will be a Sudanese art and craft exhibition, a Henna tattoo stall, documentaries, live drummers and belly dancers.
A single ticket will provide entry to all spaces, exhibitions and acts.

The Line-up…
Space One – Live music and Speakers
Domino Bones (Bez's new band), Nucleus Roots, The Beagles. Plus Sudanese speakers: Mohamed Mahmoud (Darfurian Community in Manchester) & Peter Verney (Sudan Update).

Space Two – Eclectic and Fun
Tunni (TNT), Nick Matthews (Best Kept Secret), Urban Superstars, DJ Random (Lamb), Fuse DJs, Wattle & Daub, Knob Jockeys (Bandwidth), MC Flip Flop, The Beyond TV Medicine Show

Foyer – Manchester’s best DJs and VJs
Paradigm X (Live), James Holroyd (Bugged Out), Jane Funk Boutique, Tim Hamblin, Dom (Blood & Fire), Ian & Rob Fletcher (Herbal Tea Party), DNCN (Hippocamp), Ambicus (Factory).

Plus special guests –
Tannanté (Live African Drums) & The Asian Music Talent Band (Live Dhol)
More artists and guests to be announced

The details…
Event runs from 7pm till 2am. Tickets cost £10 (+VAT) / £7.50 (+VAT) concessions. These are available to buy from the Contact Box Office only. There will be no entry without a ticket. You can view our website at www.solidearth.org

The Cause…
The crisis in Sudan is now considered the worst current humanitarian emergency in the world. Over a million people have had to flee their homes and livelihoods to escape the bloody violence and are now living in refugee camps and temporary shelters in outlying areas. Those that have been displaced are now completely reliant on humanitarian aid – they have lost everything and continued attacks mean they are unable to return to their homes. Easily curable diseases are killing thousands of people.

The Charity…
Proceeds from Solid Earth’s inaugural event will go to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). MSF is an international humanitarian aid organisation that provides emergency medical assistance to populations in danger. It works in over 18 countries and has been active in Darfur since December 2003. MSF now has over 90 international volunteers and some 2,000 Sudanese staff providing medical and nutritional care to the refugees who have fled there. Additional MSF teams provide assistance to Sudanese who have sought refuge in Chad. Visit www.msf.org for further details.

Notes to the Editor…
We would be delighted to help with any further information you might require for any editorial ideas. Please just contact us about any of the following:
- Further info on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. We are working with the Sudanese refugee community in Manchester and can provide interviewees/quotes on life in Sudan or here
- Further info on any performers. Quotes/interviewees
- Further info on Solid Earth volunteers or MSF. Quotes/interviewees
- Any images or logos required

Contact leftside23@yahoo.es
info@solidearth.org
phone the Contact Theatre box office in Manchester