The Benefit of Culture

Local Businesses Collaborate for LEAF Outreach Programs Benefit

The Highland Brewing Company will host an evening of community awareness for LEAF Outreach programs in its Tasting Room on Saturday, June 25. Entertainment will include a collaborative fashion tribute by Wink and Ship to Shore, Image 420 and Lisa Zahiya as well as performances by River Guerguerian Project, DJ Panther God, and LEAF in Schools and Streets youth—the Burton St. Dancers with Lisa Zahiya & Shiloh Youth Drummers with Kenya Webster.

LEAF in Schools & Streets is a local arts-in-education outreach
program matching artists with youth in schools and communities for
hands-on workshops, residencies, interactive performances and mentoring.
LEAF International collaborates to empower youth through musical
traditions, to enhance self-esteem, to educate and to create skills,
connections and community.

 “LEAF is helping to heal the world, and we as people and as a business
only want to work with organizations making a difference. We love LEAF
and its mission, and having an opportunity to create a tribute using
hair sculptures and fashion is very exciting for us as an artistic team.
It’s going to be a fantastic night!” said organizer Christine
DiBenedetto.

Proceeds will benefit LEAF in Schools & Streets (LSS) and LEAF
International (LI) programs. Funding for LSS after school programs in
Burton St., Montford Recreation Center, Woodridge Learning Community,
and Klondyke Community all need support for the 2011-2012 school year.
On a global level, LI programs in Guatemala, Mexico, Bequia, and Rwanda
are in need of continuing support for teaching artist salaries, new
instruments, and tunings, as will the new program starting this summer
in Haiti.

Erica Bell, development director for the LEAF Festival, says, “LEAF is
NOT just a festival anymore, but an organization filling the gap as a
top arts-in-education provider for over five thousand youth every
year…not just here in Buncombe County, but beyond into seven countries
across the world. We were all so amazed that so many great businesses
and individuals came out of the woodwork and said, ‘This cause means a
lot to me, how can I help?’ It is so affirming when people recognize the
need for arts and music programs and its empowering, teamwork building,
and even healing powers.”

Tickets to the LEAF Benefit of Culture event are $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP tickets.

For more information about the benefit, visit www.theleaf.com/benefitculture or email [email protected]. To purchase tickets, go to http://leafticketsales.com or call (828)68-MUSIC (686-8742).