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SOULFORCE MEDIA ADVISORY: March 20, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Alexey Bulokov, Soulforce Q
Cell: 212-203-5774
alexey@soulforce.org
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What: Award-winning recording artist Ari Gold will perform an exclusive benefit concert for the Soulforce Equality Ride. Special guests include Anthony Rapp from the original Broadway cast and the motion picture Rent, fashion designer Jack Mackenroth from the Bravo series Project Runway, and Emmy award-winning comedienne Judy Gold, creator of 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother.
When: April 16 at 8pm
Where: TOUCH Nightclub, 240 West 52nd Street, New York, NY, (646) 290-8266
Who: People magazine says that Ari Gold’s new album, Transport Systems, “takes the listener to fresh places” and Clive Davis says Ari “writes from the heart.” Born and raised in the Bronx, the Award Winning Independent Recording Artist released his first album in 2000, receiving critical attention from Billboard, HITS and VIBE for being the first openly gay R&B/Pop artist to be out in his music from the beginning of his career. His #1 Sirius Radio hit, “Where The Music Takes You” is the Overall Grand Prize Winner of the USA Songwriting Competition and the accompanying video was voted the #1 Video of 2007 on LOGO.
Why: Since 2006, the young activists of the Soulforce Equality Ride have visited 52 colleges and universities across the country that silence or exclude LGBT students. Through education, outreach, and direct action, these courageous young adults illuminate the destructive effects of religion-based bigotry and sow the seeds of a more inclusive campus culture. The fall 2008 Equality Ride will focus on the southern United States. The itinerary will include seminaries and several faith-based Historically Black Colleges and Universities. More information is available at www.equalityride.com
"Growing up as an orthodox Jew, I am acutely aware of the prejudices that religious communities and organizations need to be educated about. Challenging homophobia and hatred of any kind has been the number one passion in my music which is why I am so excited to be working with Soulforce for this special benefit concert,” says Ari Gold.
This event is co-produced by Soulforce Q, SoulforceNYC, PlanetOut/Gay.com and Young People For. Benefit tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.soulforce.org/concert.
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