The Sixth Annual New England Culture Fest Returns Lowell MA Arts District on September 12, 2009!
Ancient Meets Urban at the Nation's Premiere Fair Trade Festival: In an exciting fusion of film, fashion, world culture, and interactive fair trade advocacy the outdoor nonprofit benefit festival takes place on September 12, 2009 from 2pm-10pm

LOWELL, MA, August 19, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In an exciting fusion of film, fashion, world culture, and fair trade advocacy, The Sixth Annual New England Culture Fest returns to the Arts District of downtown Lowell, Massachusetts at the Middle Street's Enterprise Bank Parking Lots (2:00PM -10:00PM) with a world class lineup of music from around the world fusing the indigenous with the modern on behalf creating a more equitable world. In its sixth year, this outdoor benefit festival will feature Senegalese phenomenon Gokh-Bi System, who combine ancient sounds of instruments like the bougarabou, djeme and sabaar drums, ekonting- with modern hip hop beats and rhymes in multiple West African languages accompanied by African dancers and, a special treat to set the tone: the ladies and gentlemen of the 2009 Fashionably Fair Runway Show will showcase recycled and modified clothing from local and global cutting edge designers strutting their stuff to the music and a special surprise from urban fashion label and beak dance crew, Losst Unnown . Since their arrival in America in 1999, Gokh-Bi System completed 10 US tours sharing the bill with artists such as Kanye West and Damian Marley. Gokh-Bi emcee Mamadou says, "Through our music we want to spread that sense of family we share in Senegal around the world."

Also on the bill is Boston's reining reggae king Mighty Mystic and the Strings of Thunder who captured national attention for his string of hits including "Treat Her Right," "Riding on the Clouds," and the recent "Here I Am" featuring superstar Shaggy. DJ Ray will juggle innovative funk, world, and hip hop beats in between and host a spotlight called Dance for a Better World featuring Boston's leading DJs, veteran DJ Bruno (Utopia), Bradford James (SEED) and Adam Gibbons (Uhuru Africa) plus surprise guests. Also enjoy Boston based B3 driven funk outfit Organ in Orbit hitting hard with sounds spanning the Meters to John Scofield via talents Jeremy Parker on B3 organ, Bruce Bartlett on guitar, and Steve Langone on drums. Hailing from Brattleboro, Vermont Mo Ambesa will keep the crowd moving to hip hop infused reggae invoking influences as eclectic as Ras Tafari to Sufi mystics. Mo Ambesa means 'Children of the Lion' in the Amharic language of Ethiopia. Akshara Percussion Ensemble comprised of virtuosic performers in Carnatic and Hindustani classical genres, will perform an energetic blend of classical Indian melody and rhythm highlighted with solo and scale-based improvisations. Back by popular demand will be a Salsa Dance party with Dan Marshall of FreEMotion Repertory Company!

Just beyond the Culture Fest Stage, become immersed in the NECF's Ethical Art & Biz Expo, with henna, live art, children's activities and sixty interactive exhibitors ranging from Caribbean cuisine, to jewelry free fresh Green Mountain Coffee! As night falls become immersed in large scale interactive video installation art manipulated by NYC artist Bryan Teoh featuring the global images of The Second World Fair Trade Stories Film Archive. Also projected onto the historic downtown buildings this evening will be the animated mash up film combining 1920's blues and the Ramayna with a modern story of lost love and resilience in Nina Paley's Sita Sings the Blues. So when the sun goes down come see why Roger Ebert gave this Indian dub infused resilient flick "two thumbs up."

Also on tap: a scintillating fashion show from the Fashionably Fair advocacy program fusing fashion and fair trade in a stunning display of innovative design supporting economic justice and indigenous cultural preservation in the local and global community. Let recycled vintage set the scene this year with style source Cult of Individuality makeup artist Nichole Richard, urban fashion label and Boston break dancing crew Losst Unnown, Jamaica Plain artist Maj-Britt Pedersen and Lichiban a Brooklyn-based visual artist to create a play between tribal and urban that just might be the fabric of the future. Original creations will meld haute couture with urban and current ethical design pulses, with hair and makeup by innovative cutting edge stylists showcased on the beautiful and diverse faces of Fashionably Fair ethical fashion revolution to live music from the NECF09 headliner, Gokh-Bi System! Bid on these treasures in the NECF Silent Auction and 50+ additional prizes in the NECF Raffle!

So on September 12, 2009 look for the two hundred foot NECF Art Fence which features talented youth artists from around North America! To recap: more than one hundred artists, ethical businesses, fair trade organizations and restaurants are expected to participate in NECF 2009, all of which is set for an international e-broadcast. This festival is a celebration transporting New Englanders to another place: immersed in the sights, scents and sounds of global culture on behalf of raising funds for fair trade economic empowerment projects around the world.

Press Release Contact Information:

Valerie Parker
Second World
Director
172 Middle Street Suite 107
Lowell, MA
USA 01852
Voice: 978-455-6025
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