Freedom Festival 2010

So I'll gladly take this opportunity as a chance to proudly promote a very special upcoming event.  Saturday, August 14th will be the 2nd annual Freedom Festival to benefit The Emancipation Network.  If you are anywhere in the area stop by Heritage Museums and Gardens, at 62 Grove Street in Sandwich, Massachusetts.  We have a full lineup of artists planned to start at 3:00 and end at 10:30.  Tickets are $25 and children under fourteen are free!  All proceeds will go to TEN in an effort to reach more survivors, more women and children at risk of trafficking, and assist in sending more children to school, more job training, rehabilitation and reintegration.  Need more convincing?  Perhaps the breathtaking grounds of the gardens, the salt air and splendor of summer on Cape Cod, the honest music and art, the love and energy of the people, the beauty of the cause, the courage of the enslaved and survivors - this is a festival you just don't want to miss! 

Here's the lineup:  The Adam Hofmann Revival, Cape Cod African Drum and Dance, Funktapuss, Sara Leketa, Jeff Conley, Roz Raskin and the Rice Cakes, and Caravan of Thieves.  Additionally, Rob Surette (www.amazingheroart.com), the world's fastest portrait artist will perform live.  Surette is known internationally and has been on The TODAY show, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, and The OPRAH Winfrey Show.  Following the performance, two of Surette's portraits will be auctioned.

Beer, wine, and concessions will be sold by Blossom's Cafe.  And MadeBySurvivors products will be available for purchase at a table run by 2010 Team India volunteers, Tammy McDevitt and Molly Lomenzo!  Come on out, help us put the "fun" in fundraiser!  We encourage you to buy your tickets now at  http://freedomfest.eventbrite.com/.  Please spread the word!  Not in the area?  Can't attend?  Consider buying a ticket as a donation.  Or become a sponsor of the event.  For details email me at jbhofmann@comcast.net.

I will end this blog, like I end almost all of my speaking engagements.  With a reading from "Life Prayers, Affirmations to Celebrate the Human Journey", by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon.  Today, I choose a passage from Maria Elena del Valle. 

Yo soy mujer

I am woman...

I am not one.

I am not two.

I am the many

the multitude,

the full force

of women throughout

history throughout

the world.

And we are angry.

And we are powerful.

And we truth tellers

And we are passionately tender:

And we are claiming

justice, now!

...Somos la vida, la

fuerza, la mujer

...We are life, strenghth,

woman

en marcha de justicia

empezamos a florecer

on the march for justice

we begin to blossom.

It is my intention to celebrate life and freedom with you, in honor of the woman and children of the world, in the name of justice.  Hope to see you all at The Freedom Festival!

Peace,
Janell