Calendario de Eventos

"Respond!"
Fund Raiser for the Disaster Relief Funds of Haiti and Central Texas

For more information, contact: Marita De La Torre
Phone: 512-241-9799 | Email: lupeartemar@sbcglobal.net

August 17, Austin, TX - Latinas Unidas Por El Arte (LUPE Arte), artists Richard Striebel, Brian Ramos and Corpus Christi graphic design house, PRODUCE media cooperative enact a humanitarian effort by means of a music compilation entitled “Respond!” from some of Texas’ most talented recording artists.  This set of songs is being distributed digitally via the World Wide Web with proceeds going to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund of Haiti and the Disaster Relief Fund of Central Texas.

Two weeks after the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010 struck near Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince, actor Richard Striebel approached LUPE Arte and renowned music guru Brian Ramos to collaborate in an effort to aid the victims of Haiti. The team of Ramos, Striebel and LUPE Arte Executive Director, Marita De La Torre partnered up with the American Red Cross and began recruiting an impressive list of eager musical artists to donate their music. The outpour of good will and support from the musicians was a reminder of the strong and generous music scene we have come to love and respect in Austin. The decision to split proceeds between Haiti and Central Texas was adopted after learning of the depletion of funds for the disasters here at home from the staff at the American Red Cross of Central Texas.

Nearly seven months after the strongest earthquake ever to hit in 200 years, left Haiti in ruins, the need for rebuilding has grown now that the headlines have moved on.  While progress has been made in some areas, thousands of buildings including the Presidential building and the Cathedral of Port-au-Prince remain destroyed.  Slums of make shift shelters house approximately 1.5 million people in areas around the capital and children suffer or die due to lack of sanitary conditions. With the 2010 hurricane season around the corner, the urgency for these victims to have sturdier shelter is painfully obvious.   We can help them rebuild through music.  “Being a non profit organization that relies on grants and the generosity of individuals to better our own community through arts education for disadvantaged youth, at LUPE Arte we know that everyone wants to do their part to help make the situation better in Haiti and anywhere in the world for that matter.  So we used our best resource to make this happen: artists and their creation”, said LUPE Arte President, Mary Lou Castillo.

Done completely on a volunteer basis by all involved including entertainment attorney John C. Taxiarchis of Florida, “Respond!” is a labor of love that is ready for download!  For $10 or any amount higher you wish to donate, you own the compilation that boasts 16 musical tracks from some of the most talented musicians in Texas such as Grammy nominated Grupo Fantasma, Suzanna Choffel, Kanko, Charanga Cakewalk, El Tule, DJ Dus from Corpus Christi, The Umbrella Man from Houston, Texas and many more.  Visit www.lupearte.org to help Haiti, help disaster victims here at home and have yourself a musical little gem for only $10!