Rhythms in Peace: A Concert & Recording Series featuring well-known and Gypsy Musicians

Music is one of the oldest forms of healing. In a time when our technologically advanced world has us wirelessly connected, we sometimes feel personally disconnected from ourselves, our families, and global community.  In collaboration with Empowerment Works, Marla Leigh, is offering an opportunity to reconnect through a sacred. global musical experience:

“Rhythms in Peace”

A concert & recording series featuring both well-known and gypsy musicians from first and third world countries.

Marla is asking for your support as she embarks on the first album and documentary film for this sacred world music series. The intention behind this project is to increase appreciation of indigenous world music, while ultimately contributing to peace and understanding between cultures. Upon completion of the album, it will be available worldwide, through online sources, healing arts distribution companies as well as possibly getting it licensed through Sounds True, Six Degrees or Narada music labels.

Highlights of the project include:

· CD – entitled “Rhythms in Peace”, will feature field and studio recordings of traditional and original healing trance music from the following countries:

o Israel, in collaborations with:

- Zohar Fresco, renowned percussionist (not-yet confirmed)

- Bedowin musicians (desert musicians)

o Morocco, in collaberation with:

- The Houaryites, (a women’s group who play Gnawa healing trance music with percussion and voice)

- Other Gnawa and Berber musicians

o USA, in collaborations with:

- Sufi musician/virtuoso

- Omar Faruk Tekbilek

- Master frame drummer

- Glen Velez

- Alam Kahn sarodist

· DVD – “A Documentary film entitled, “Sacred Drumming Rituals”, which will cover ancient drumming rituals from around the world, beginning with the “Houariyates” in Morocco. Other countries to be included in this project are Egypt (Zar trance music), Turkey (Sufi drumming rituals) and India (Kerala ritual drumming). (DVD expected to be released in 2010). Film makers on board for this project are Saul Saad and Julianne Reynolds.

Given the profound status of today’s women in Middle Eastern Muslim countries, working with the Houariyates offers an opportunity to support women musicians and strengthen women’s rights. Marla hopes to create strong ties with these women and assist them in touring to western countries for live performances, as well as feature them in drumming and healing retreats. To view the Houariyates performance, please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSoIIQ36qEo

Upon completion of the album (January 2009), Marla will share 10% of her long term (one year) sales from the CD with the Houariyates through the Empowerment Works! “Micro-grants Program.” This “micro-grant” will support indigenous women’s economic & social empowerment in developing countries countries.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

All of the personal contacts with the various countries mentioned have been made. However, this extraordinary project can only happen with proper funding. In addition to corporate sponsor donations, there will also be mini-eco festival/fundraising events in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Funding needed for “Rhythms in Peace” production of CD & DVD - $40,000 (all inclusive: covering recording/engineering fees, documentary film, production and advertisement costs),

PARTNER LEVELS of SPONSORSHIP:

1. Presenting Sponsor “Rhythm in Peace” Sacred World Ambassadors of $5000 +

Participation at this level integrates your company with a strategic global partnership creating programs and building on EW’s Artists In Action Series that raises global awareness as well as puts your company first in line for sponsorship in the Global Summit 2009 in Los Angeles.

In addition to the benefits of Muse level, World Ambassador Partners will receive:

• 1st right of refusal for larger sponsorship of EW’s Global Summit*
• A private VIP “Sacred Rhythm Experience” ecstatic dance party with Marla’s world music ensemble
• $477 discount on a upcoming Drumming and Yoga retreat with Marla Leigh
• Logo recognition on all advertisements for CD and documentary film
• A special Marla Leigh Signature Series hand-crafted frame drum from Cooperman Drum Company

2. Co-Sponsor “Rhythms in Peace” Muses of $2750 +

In addition to the benefits of RQ&K level, Muse Partners will receive:

• Name exposure on radio spots, signs posted at fundraising concerts
• Logo & Name recognition on Marla Leigh’s and EW’s websites
• A special Marla Leigh Signature Series hand-crafted frame drum from Cooperman Drum Company
• Sell/advertise company products at CD release concerts worldwide for one year after release of CD
• $277 discount on a upcoming Drumming and Yoga retreat with Marla Leigh

3. Supporting Sponsor “Rhythms in Peace” Rhythm Queens and Kings of $1000 +

• Company logo recognition in all promotional materials including flyers, posters, and print media (i.e. - LA Yoga event advertisement in March and April 2008)
• Company name/honorable mention/recognition on “Rhythms in Peace” CD liner notes which will be distributed worldwide
• 8 “Rhythms of Peace” CD’s (upon completion by 1/09) and 4 Documentary DVD’s (upon completion by12/10)

4. Sweet ~ kind percussion lovers, doners of $250+

In Kind Partners to donate product/food/drink for LA & SFO fundraising concerts in April & May.

• Company name/honorable mention/recognition on “Rhythms in Peace” CD liner notes which will be distributed worldwide
• 4 “Rhythms of Peace” CD’s and 2 Documentary DVD’s

What others say about Marla Leigh

“Marla Leigh’s beautiful spirit and connection to life shine through her music. I have worked with her many times and have witnessed her heartfelt gift of connecting people to each other and to spirit through rhythm and music. I recommend her work to anyone interested in the healing and sacred power of rhythm, music and dance”.
~ Saul David Raye

“Marla’s music touches me so deeply, she is a graceful and soulful artist that reminds us that music is truly a sacred art”
~ Hala Khouri

About Marla Leigh: Marla Leigh is an accomplished percussionist, flautist and composer who has a passion for spirituality and wellness. Her dharma is to create musical experiences which combine rhythm, melody with healing.. Her main instrument is the frame drum, an ancient drum that was used in many cultures for healing ceremonies and rituals. Building upon her solid foundation from both Undergraduate and Gradute degrees in music from Calarts, Marla is often found playing music for sacred events, kirtans, world music ensembles, yoga retreats and classes. She also leads her own world music ensemble, “Sacred Rhythm Experience” and has performed around the world. Marla’s emotionally hypnotic rhythms and melodies connect us to our inner sanctuary, creating doorways for altered states of healing consciousness to occur. Marla is ready to share this music with the world by collaborating with musicians around the world! www.marlaleigh.com

About Empowerment Works!: EW is a non-profit international sustainable development Think-Tank-in-Action innovating community-led solutions for a healthier, culturally rich and bio-diverse world. The Artists In Action Event Series was created to provide a medium for artists to raise awareness for critical social and environmental issues and fundraise for community-led solutions. Beginning in 2001 with EW’s first benefit, Art for AIDS Relief, artists in Santa Barbara, CA united with artists in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa to launch EW’s Orphan Care program, now serving over 250 children. Over the years, empowered artists across the globe have joined forces in a wide array of creative events benefiting EW including theatrical productions, exclusive soirees, world music concerts and DJ club nights. Increasingly, friends of EW (producers & performers) apply their creative visions, to engage their unique communities in positive social action. www.empowermentworks.org.

All financial sponsorships, in-kind donations, services and equivalent support for “Rhythms in Peace” are tax-deductible contributions to 501c3 non-profit organization, Empowerment Works (tax ID# 31-1796801)

To secure titles / more info, contact: Marla Leigh Tel. 661-645-0724 e-mail: marla@marlaleigh.com

“All life is music… if it fades, we fade.“ - Rumi, Sufi poet