Juno Award Winning Artists Kardinal Offishall, Glenn Lewis, Slakahthe Beatchild, Ivana Santilli and more unite to raise money for African Youth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Canadian Ape Alliance and Nova Music Group present Congo Classrooms for a Brighter Future – A Concert to Raise Funds for School Construction in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Juno Award Winning Artists including Kardinal Offishall, Glenn Lewis, Slakah the Beatchild, Ivana Santilli and more unite for concert to raise money for African school

Toronto, ON – On Thursday May 19, 2011, Canadian Ape Alliance and Nova Music Group present Congo Classrooms for a Brighter Future, a concert to raise much-needed funds for further construction of the Kahuzi-Biega Environmental School in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This amazing event will feature performances and special guest appearances by some of Canada’s most talented artists and celebrities including Glenn Lewis, Justin Nozuka, Kardinal Offishall, Ivana Santilli, Slakah the Beatchild, Ayah, Art of Fresh, Saidah Baba Talibah, Melanie Durrant, Wade O. Brown and more!

As a result of the 6-year civil war, over 5.2 million children in the DR Congo receive no education. The Canadian Ape Alliance recognized a need and began laying the groundwork for the Kahuzi-Biega Environmental School in 2003. In Phase I, funded by the Youssef-Warren Foundation, three classrooms were built and opened in 2007 for kindergarten and early childhood education. Now, in order to allow these children to proceed to primary school, it is imperative that Phase II be launched.

“The Kahuzi-Biega Environmental School differs from other African schools because of the years of unrest in the region, but in spite of these difficult conditions the school has successfully been kept running. The people of this region face many other challenges as well including environmental degradation due to illegal mining and logging, roaming armed militias, burning of the forest for charcoal, and the challenge of basic subsistence. It is therefore vital to the long-term survival of the people of the region that the school not only be kept open but expand to help keep up with the needs of the community”, said Dr. Kerry Bowman, president and founder of the Canadian Ape Alliance.

“Its incredible to be able to come together with this group of talented artists who can share their God given gifts while helping to give the gift of education to children; something we here in Canada don't have to worry about for our own children and can easily take for granted”, said Grammy Nominated and Juno Award winning R&B singer Glenn Lewis about his participation in the fundraiser.

Proceeds from Congo Classrooms for a Brighter Future will go directly to the Phase II construction of the Kahuzi-Biega Environmental School.

Video with more detailed information about the Kahuzi-Biega National Park and the Environmental School - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3WZYXTsmLU

What: Congo Classrooms for a Brighter Future – A Fundraiser for School Construction in the DR Congo featuring performances by Glenn Lewis, Kardinal Offishall, Slakah the Beatchild, Art of Fresh, Melanie Durrant, Ayah, Saidah Baba Talibah, Ivana Santilli, Justin Nozuka, Wade O Brown and more

Where: Revival Bar, 783 College Street, Toronto, ON
When: Thursday May 19, 2011; Doors 8pm, Showtime 9pm

Advance tickets can be purchased for $20 at http://bit.ly/CongoClassrooms

To make a donation or for more information visit the Canadian Ape Alliance website www.great-apes.com. Tax receipts are available for donations of $30 or more (not including ticket purchase).

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