More good news"AIDS is not a disease it is a human rights issue" Nelson Mandela
DID YOU KNOW THAT EVERY 12 SECONDS, SOMEONE DIES FROM AN AIDS RELATED ILLNESS?
GIVE 1 MINUTE OF YOUR LIFE TO AIDS
The East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival (Bluesfest), the AIDS Trust of Australia & Warner Music Australia are launching the Australian 46664 campaign at the Bluesfest over the Easter weekend in Byron Bay from Thursday April 8 ? Monday April 12, 2004.
What is 46664?
46664 was the prison number of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, Cape Town where he was held in captivity for 18 years. Inspired by the vision and leadership of Nelson Mandela, the 46664 campaign was born to raise awareness of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, as well as funds for South Africa with proceeds going to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The aim is for this initiative to be the largest call to action for HIV/AIDS in history.
46664 is NOW a Global Music-led campaign which has brought together many of the most important artists of our time to support the global fight against AIDS under the banner "Give 1 minute of your life to Stop AIDS"
The East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival operates over 5 days and nights at Red Devil Park, Byron Bay, in Northern New South Wales. It is regarded as Australia's No. 1 music festival of it's type in the Southern Hemisphere and is basically a mix of music from the heart and the soul, played by the finest musicians from every corner of the planet. It has won the readers poll by Australia's prestigious music magazine - Rhythms for 'Australia's Best Music Festival' every year but two since 1994.
Some of the International Artists performing this year include; James Brown, Jackson Browne, Femi Kuti, Solomon Burke, Burning Spear, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Michael Franti, Toots & the Maytals, Dr John, Taj Mahal, Pharoah Sanders, Richard Thompson and Mavis Staples with Australian artists including; John Butler Trio, The Cat Empire, The Waifs and Pete Murray to name but a few.
Nelson Mandela has called upon the world?s music community to come together and raise money and awareness for what he rightly calls the greatest catastrophe to ever take place in Africa, and The East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival is proud to heed his call.
Warner Music Australia will launch the 46664 3 x CDs & DVD of the recent 46664 concert in Cape Town, South Africa exclusively at the Bluesfest, before releasing the CDs and DVD on April 23. Two dollars ($2.00) from each CD and DVD will be donated to the AIDS Trust of Australia, who have set up a special 46664 account.
Warner Music International is the official CD/DVD worldwide partner of 46664. (See separate press release for more information).
Upon checking the 46664 website and realizing that up to 25% of the population in South Africa are HIV positive and hearing of Nelson Mandela?s call for the music community of the world to become involved in fundraising and spreading awareness of this issue, Bluesfest recognized that an event such as ours, was more than capable of adding to such a worthy undertaking as Mr. Mandela?s in a way that can only benefit all involved.
Throughout the 5 days of The East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival, all attendees will be asked every day to ?give a gold coin? to the many volunteers on-site overseen by the AIDS Trust of Australia. Footage will be shown on either side of the main stages in between band performances from the Cape Town event including messages from the likes of Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Robert De Niro, Oprah Winfrey, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Bob Geldof, Bono and others, as well as educational footage as a way of raising awareness of what is happening in Africa today.
Byron Bay is a very special community and we are also asking all businesses, residents and visitors to become involved in the events occurring around the town prior and post Bluesfest. In conjunction with the Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce, The East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival will be hosting a ?Byron Style? event (as opposed to a ?Black Tie?) on Wednesday April 7 at the Great Northern Hotel. An international Bluesfest artist will be performing and goods donated by the Byron Bay business community will be auctioned on the night. Entrance fees and all monies raised will go towards the cause.
Likewise, in conjunction with the Beach Hotel, the East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival will be hosting the Bluesfest after show party on Tuesday April 13 at the Beach Hotel. Once again, an international artist will be performing and monies will be raised from donations given on the night.
By attending these events around Byron, through your entry fee or by giving a gold coin, you can contribute money? because MONEY is what is needed. Look out for other possible fundraising events around our community.
The AIDS Trust of Australia has accepted Bluesfest?s invitation to manage the fundraising aspect and guarantee that the major portion of all monies collected will be sent directly to those in Africa in need. A smaller portion of monies collected will also be used for HIV/AIDS-related projects for Central Australia?s Indigenous community, Women living with HIV/Aids and the Food Distribution project.
We need a global anti-AIDS movement. Just as the world united to beat apartheid in South Africa, the world must unite to beat AIDS. Individuals around the world must be morally engaged in a collective campaign to raise awareness, action and cash. The East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival has accepted Mr. Mandela?s call and will show the world that a small community like Byron Bay can take on this issue, spread his message and help raise much needed funds. LET?S DO IT FOR NELSON
Park in previous years and seen people with mud nearly up to their waists. I so hope it doesn't rain. 
I'm just going to groove to the music.
