NextAid Unites New York Promoters & Artists
In Global Campaign “World AIDS Day: Keep The Promise”
With Four NYC Events, December 1 – 15, 2005

Los Angeles, CA/New York City, NY – In observance of World AIDS Day, which takes place on December 1, 2005, LA-based humanitarian organization, NextAid does their part to unite their NYC brethren from the dance music community, to raise funds and awareness for kids in Africa who have been orphaned due to the AIDS pandemic. NextAid is coordinating benefits around North America (and one in Spain!), under the banner, World AIDS Day: Keep The Promise between December 1st and the 15th. Varying percentages will be donated to NextAid for their current efforts on the ground in South Africa (see more about that below). And to help with the massive promotional efforts for each of the participating clubs in each city, NextAid has partnered with influential online sites such as Flavorpill (flavorpill.net) UMIX (umix.net), World DJ.com, Transmissions (REMIX Magazine), and URB Magazine, with combined e-mail lists totaling into the hundreds of thousands, to help get the word out. For more information on all aspects please visit http://www.nextaid.org/worldaidsday2005.htm.

The New York City club scene is taking action. Promoters, venue owners and DJ’s have stepped up to the plate and are leading the global campaign with 4 events spanning over two weeks, including Basic NYC at the Sullivan Room on Saturday, December 3rd (featuring DJ Heather), Rockers at Cattyshack in Brooklyn (presented by MKL and Matthias Heilbronn) on Thursday, December 8th, and Death ‘n’ Taxes Magazine in association with UrbanGroove at Beauty Bar on Monday, December 12th. The 2-week long campaign finishes off with a blow-out event at Club SOL on Thursday, December 15th, with 100% of the proceeds will benefit NextAid. Spanish sensation Wally Lopez makes his exclusive NYC appearance on this special night, joining Remix Magazine, NextAid, and Seven Limited Records in the fight against AIDS in Africa. Open bar and prizes all night, suggested donation $20. Lopez has over 1 million units sold of his "Just a Little More Love" remix in Europe alone and a string of #1 top 40 dance hits. John Howard and OM Records will also be in the house.

Other North American cities participating include San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia, and there is also an event in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. World AIDS Day online partners will send out mass emails containing all the details about the participating events, artists, information about NextAid, and the orphan pandemic. Others supporters such as Green Galactic, Soulflower Management & Promotions, Cakewalk, Electromusicology, and many others are throwing weight behind the campaign to increase awareness.

Members of the dance music industry are responding to an urgent call to action. After more than 2 decades of AIDS devastating the continent where life began, Africa, only 10% of the 15 million AIDS orphans are receiving any kind of public support. The enormity of the AIDS pandemic demands a response from every corner of society. Leading the dance music community’s effort is NextAid, a Los Angeles-based humanitarian organization. NextAid believes that the best place to focus the collective energy generated on the dance floor, in order to make the greatest impact in the face of the crisis, is on the children.

All proceeds from these events will go towards NextAid’s pilot project, the building of a multi-purpose center for Youth With A Vision (YWAV) in South Africa. YWAV uses theater and music to teach AIDS awareness and other issues to their peers in a poverty stricken rural township called Dennilton, located two hours northeast of Johannesburg. The center will also be a home for an additional 60 children orphaned by AIDS, a resource center for the larger community and a beacon of hope for many others. Intended to showcase green building design, this center will serve as a template for many such centers throughout the continent. NextAid broke ground this past July, with the construction of the first building, the main administrative office. A photo report is viewable online at http://www.nextaid.org/photogallery-SA2005.htm.

NextAid is dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for African children orphaned as a result of AIDS. By partnering with other organizations in the production of music benefits and awareness-raising activities, NextAid channels emergency and long-term aid to African children in need. Lauren Segal, co-founder and NextAid director declares, “We cannot turn our backs on the 15 million children currently orphaned by AIDS. The situation is only getting worse. We have to do something and through our music, we can and we must make a difference.”

The worldwide theme for World AIDS Day 2005 is “Keep the Promise,” developed by the World AIDS Campaign (WAC), in order to provide an opportunity for people to get involved and make their voices heard and become part of a new global movement that will not accept that we are doing enough for the 40 million people and counting. More information can be found www.worldaidscampaign.info.

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For more information, photos or interviews, please contact Lynn Hasty at Green Galactic at 323-466-5141 or lynn@greengalactic.com.