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Planting Seeds in the Sahara: Playing for Change Day Morocco

Urban Pace
Washington, DC

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Join music lovers and travelers in spirit for this Moroccan themed event. Proceeds will provide seed funding for the creation of a music school and cultural center in the southern oasis village of M'hamid el Ghizlane, Morocco.

M'hamid, the "Gateway to the Sahara" has a beautifully rich cultural heritage in danger of being lost due to the harsh climate, disappearance of the nomadic lifestyle, and poverty. The 2,000 local youth crave a creative outlet but lack access to musical instruments, education, and encouragement. The M'hamid Cultural Center Project will focus on empowering these young people with arts programming in a safe and welcoming space. Future phases of the project include the construction of a zero-impact, sustainable building that draws attention to the need for ecological conversation in this fragile desert environment.

There will be live music by Virginia-based Gnawan band Jouwala Collective with guest drummer Drummie Zeb from the Wailers, traditional Moroccan cuisine by Khadija Banqouas, spirits courtesy of 7DL (http://www.7drumlessons.com) and Wente Vineyards (https://www.wentevineyards.com), and a silent auction featuring a piece of Jerry Garcia's art donated by The Jerry Garcia Foundation (http://www.jerrygarciafoundation.org). There will also be footage of the sister PFC Day event in M'hamid featuring local musicians in the community being served by the project.

Special thanks to volunteers/advisors Mary Tucker, Cate O'Kane, Becky Tatera, Cate O'Kane, Iqbal Khaiy, and Abby Welter. Additionally, special shout out to Lynn Hackney at Urban Pace for the donated space.

For more information about the event, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Stacie Freasier of Playing for Change Foundation and c3 Catalyst Consulting, LLC at Stacie@c3catalyst.com.