NextAid Presents BIDS BUILD HOPE Online Auction to Benefit Projects on the Ground in Africa on World AIDS Orphans Day

Los Angeles, CA (Vocus) May 20, 2010

NextAid, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization harnessing the power of music to affect change in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa, launches its third annual online auction BIDS BUILD HOPE in honor of World AIDS Orphans Day (WAOD), which happens on May 7th each year. The international auction kicked off on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 8:00AM EST, and closes on Monday, May 31st at 11:00PM EST during MOVEMENT, Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival. The 24-day auction will raise awareness and funds for NextAid’s current projects: the Kawangware Vision Center in Kenya, and the goGogetters program in South Africa. NextAid continues its mission to promote and implement sustainable solutions to the challenges facing African children. WAOD is a grassroots campaign advocating for the 15 million children orphaned by AIDS around the world. Learn more and start bidding NOW at http://www.biddingforgood.com/bidsbuildhope.

As in past years, the 2010 auction items reflect NextAid’s strong foundation within the dance music community and commitment to sustainable and “green living.” Highlights of the auction include the Richie Hawtin Gear Package (supported by Native Instruments, Ableton, and Minus), several DJ tutorial and music education classes from Dubspot, and an unforgettable cruise for two aboard the infamous Groove Cruise. Other donors include NextAid supporting artists such as Louie Vega, DJ Rap, Barbara Tucker, Samantha James, DJ Colette, Bassnectar, Andy Caldwell, Halo, Mr V, D:FUSE, Nickodemus, Fred Everything, Gene Farris, and Dj Ndebele; music companies like Soundcloud, ESL Music, Putumayo Records, OM Records, macprovideo, and Avid/M-Audio; festivals, clubs and promoters like PEX, Electric Zoo, Cielo and BASIC NYC, Electric Pickle in Miami, and supperclub and Afro Funke in LA; green businesses like Natural High Lifestyle, Strange Invisible Perfumes, Jeffrey Levin Jewelry and Nau; and dining/entertainment packages provided by Bodega Wine Bar, Nook Bistro, Ben Gleib of Chelsey Lately and the Hollywood Improv. Items will continue to be added to the catalog throughout the auction. Promotional partners and sponsors include Love Fatigues, Media Services NYC, Fusicology, Rhythmism, URB Magazine, The MML, Flux Summit, Causecast, Big Up Magazine, Nu-Soul Magazine and Green Galactic. Please visit the facebook event page and spread the word! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112021125504924&ref=ts

Whether you know him as PLASTIKMAN, F.U.S.E., Circuit Breaker, or simply, Richie Hawtin — there is no questioning the influence that this legend has had on the modern electronic dance music scene. With constant innovations in sound and technology, Richie Hawtin’s creations achieve exactly what electronic music was intended for: overcoming the limitations of language and space to bring people together from across the globe. This Canadian DJ’s groundbreaking, world-renowned performances often incorporate custom-designed visuals, audio controllers and effects to increase the potential of what can be achieved musically and visually through technology. We are excited to offer the opportunity to step behind the booth and into this unique visionary’s shoes with the auctioning off of the Richie Hawtin Gear Package. The heavily (but lovingly) used equipment from his 2008 season may help you catch a bit of his genius, but more than anything, it’s a chance to own a piece of electronic music history. The package includes: Rimowa Topas Cabin Trolley, (2) Native Instruments Audio 8 DJ interfaces, Native Instruments Maschine, (2) Allen & Heath Xone 1D Controllers, Roland EV-5 Foot Pedal, Midi Solutions Pedal Controller, Allen & Heath Xone DJ Headphones, international power adapters, brand new Ableton Intro software package and Traktor Pro software package.

The infamous PLASTIKMAN returns this year with his first ever Live World Tour, http://www.plastikman.com.

Face the Music at Movement, Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival

NextAid teams up with legendary Mike Clark and Detroit’s own singer songwriter, Marissa Guzman in a benefit party on May 29th, at Centaur Bar, during the one of the best music festivals on the planet, Movement. The party kicks off at 6pm and ends at 2am. Talent includes Gene Farris, Mike Clark, Julius the Mad Thinker, Monty Luke, Marissa Guzman, and Fil Latorre. Partners include Media Services NYC, Fusicology, The MML, Green Galactic, and Dubspot. More info here http://www.facebook.com/?ref=mb&sk=messages#!/event.php?eid=117255921628149

World AIDS Orphans Day (WAOD) was founded by the Francois-Xavier Bagnound Association (FXB) to bring attention to the millions of children affected by AIDS, and to urge elected officials to state their commitment to the objectives set out in the 2001 United Nations Declaration of Commitments on HIV/AIDS. FXB established a Symbolic Global Safety Net to which more than two million individuals worldwide added their names, each another stitch in the symbolic support for orphans and children made vulnerable by the pandemic. Each year, WAOD has mobilized greater support from around the world. http://www.worldaidsorphansday.org.

NextAid’s mission is to improve the lives of children and youth in Africa by promoting and implementing sustainable solutions. NextAid raises awareness for, and partners with, community-based projects and grassroots organizations in Africa and believes that an integrated approach is the best formula for establishing real and lasting change. Through music events and public education initiatives, NextAid provides empowering opportunities for concerned individuals to make a difference. http://www.nextaid.org.

Kawangware Vision Center, Kenya – NextAid has partnered with the inspiring community-based organization to build a “green” workshop and multipurpose facility for their youth programs and micro-business that strive to get youth off the streets by offering economic and performance activities, such as making gift bags to sell to the safari tourism industry. The profits enable the youth to support themselves, as well as, the vulnerable and orphaned children in the community. Learn more about the project at http://www.nextaid.org/kawangware.htm.

goGogetters program, South Africa — goGogetters is a loveLife program empowering South African grandmothers (gogos), who have dedicated their senior years to the wellbeing of orphaned and vulnerable children, as they fight to protect a social fabric left devastated by HIV/AIDS. NextAid is raising funds for the schooling needs of the youth who participate in the program. Learn more the program and the amazing gogos at http://lovelife.org.za/gogogetters/index.php.

For more information, photos or interviews, please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Hasty at 213-840-1201 or lynn(at)greengalactic(dot)com.

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