World Wellness Weekend Featuring Michael Franti, Marianne Williamson, Expo, Music, Classes & More!

Click "I Like It!" to win 1 pair of Weekend VIP Passes-includes all events!

 

World Wellness Weekend 2008
Austin, TX May 30-June 1 Austin Convention Center

FOR MORE INFO VISIT WWW.WORLDWELLNESS.ORG

MICHAEL FRANTI, CAROLYN WONDERLAND, PAPA MALI, AFROFREQUE & OTHER AUSTIN ALLSTAR MUSICIANS PUT THE FUN INTO WELLNESS

 at Austin’s World Wellness Weekend  May 30-June1

Internationally acclaimed musician, activist and film maker, Michael Franti, will have patrons dancing out the door to close the 2nd annual World Wellness Weekend May 30-June 1at the Austin Convention Center. This health, wellness and sustainable living festival ends each activity filled day with some of Austin’s most loved and respected musicians. This multi-dimensional celebration of wellness includes an Expo, Eco-Fashion Show, Body Choir, speakers and classesincluding presentations byNY Times bestselling authors Marianne Williamson, Marci Shimoff, John Gray, and Joe Vitaleand Michael Franti'spowerful documentary film "I Know I'm Not Alone.  

World Wellness Weekend kicks off at 7:30 Fri. night with anOpening Celebration that features a short presentation by the world’s best selling fitness author, Bill Phillipsand his Transformationprogram. At 8:30, Afrofrequewill start off the Weekend’s live music grooves.  Afrofreque’smusic is live soulful hip-hop, with elements of electronica, afrobeat and reggae. The grooves are funky and the lyrics are positive and conscious, reflecting hip-hop culture, social issues and just plain having fun. Afrofreque is known not only for their for their tightly arranged hip hop and soul compositions, but also for their high energy live performances and and ultra funky live improvs. The group, headed by MC Tigre Liu, is an experienced and talented bunch. Band members are/have been integral parts of other bands such as The Killer Bees, Big Game Hunter, Dirty Wormz, Raggamassive, Futurelight Sound System, Pressure, and Shantytown Underground.

Austin’s musical wonder woman, Carolyn Wonderland, will keep the groove going with a full set with her band.Carolyn Wonderlandis a triple threat with her diverse songwriting, soulful vocals, and guitar goddess status. A bit of a renegade, she likes to incorporate elements of Blues, Country, Swing, Zydeco, Surf, Gospel, Soul, and some nights, maybe even a Cumbia into the musical mix. Originally from Houston, a city where she has won awards in The Houston Pressfor everything from Best Guitarist, Vocalist, Songwriter, Blues, to Release of the Yearand Musician of the Year-- virtually sweeping the awards for 5 years from the time she was a teenager. When she's not playing music or driving around the country, she volunteers for the non-profit charity, Instruments for Orphans, serving on the board of directors.

On Sat. night, internationally known author and speaker, Marianne Williamson, will grace the World Wellness Stage 8:00pm with highlights from her newest book, The Age of Miracles. At 10:00pm, Austin favorite, Papa Mali, will shake up the room with his All-Star line-up of musicians.Papa Mali'sunique sound creates a fresh resurrection of the swampy and bluesy sounds of his youth. Growing up in Louisiana and living in Austin for the past 20 years, Papa Mali’s music has become an amalgamation of two of the most musically diverse hot spots in the country.

Joining Papa Malion bass will be Sarah Brown.  She has been profiled in Bass Player magazine, was awarded "best bass player" in the Austin Music Polls 4 times and was nominated for two W.C. Handy awards. On drums is Barry “Frosty” Smith. Frosty has recorded and performed with Lee Michaels, Sly & the Family Stone, Parliament/Funkadelic, Rare Earth, and the Steve Miller Blues Band.  He also performed in numerous Motown Record sessions. He has received the Austin Music Awards Best Drummer in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, and 1994. Wielding the guitar will be, Gurf Morlix,whose latest album, Diamonds to Dust,spent almost six months on the Americana Chart Top 40, reaching #2 and was the 10th most spun album of 2007. Gurf is a member of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, and the Austin Music Awards Hall of Fame.The musical triple threat, Carolyn Wonderlandwill be joining Morlix on guitar in her second appearance at WWW. Finally, Anthony Ferrell, of the Greyhounds will be providing the FUNky grooves on the keyboards.

On Sunday night, “feet don’t fail me now”, will be the mantra of the evening during the final performance of WWW with, Michael Frantiand his companion on guitar, Jay Bowman. This multi-talented duo give a whole new meaning to the word “acoustic” during their rocking set that begins at 9:00pm following author Marci Shimoff’spresentation Happy for No Reason. Franti, activist, singer, songwriter, filmmaker and author, views music as a way to stir the soul and as a vehicle for social change. His music crosses age, ethnic, and social lines. His fans, from age 8-80 span the globe.  Franti has numerous CD’s out with his band, Spearhead, a powerful film about the human cost of war, I Know I’m Not Alone, screening at 10am on Sun. at WWW, a yoga DVD and a newly released children’s book, What I Be. 

Franti ‘s talents are perfectly complimented by his companion, Jay Bowman, guitarist extraordinaire and also a singer, songwriter and yogi.  Jay is focused on creating a mainstream rock and roll sound infused with his unique outlook on life - a message of hope, faith, and perseverance that speaks to a broad audience. Jay's perspective on life is firmly rooted in his blood - he is half Native American and is eager to share his message with his community. His heritage has played a crucial role in who he is today, and he firmly believes that "You need to know where you came from." Listening to Jay's rich, powerful, and honest voice, it is clear that he knows where he came from and is determined to pave a way for the road ahead. 

The “Love Lounge” with a cash bar will be open for the Evening Programs.   

WWW VIP Membershipsare available that include Front of House Reserved Seatsfor the Evening Programs, FREE admission to the Fri. Opening Celebrationand more. Call 541 552-1730 to purchase or visit www.worldwellness.org/VIP for info.

Regular weekend passesthat include reserved seats for the Saturday and Sunday Evening Programs are $59 advance, $65 at the door (if available). Single Day Evening Program reserved seats are $39 advance, $45 at the door (if available). Evening Program passes include a FREE Expo Day Passfor admission into all events for that day.

Admission to the Fri. Opening Celebrationw/ Bill Phillips, Carolyn Wonderlandand Afrofrequemay be purchased at the door only: $15.  Doors 7:00pm, Show 7:30pm.

Expo Day Passes only are $15/day at the door or in advance which include all classes/ and speakers until 7:30pm Sat. & 6:30pm Sun. Kids under 12 admitted to Expo FREE. 

For complete info and to register to attend visit:www.worldwellness.org. Passes also at Waterloo Records@ 6th & Lamar and Unity Church of the Hills ph. 335-4449

Volunteer: work 8-10 hours for a weekend pass.  Visit www.worldwellness.org/volunteer for complete info and to sign up

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World Wellness Weekend is produced by BEACH AVENUE PRODUCTIONS, 349 E. Main St. #3, Ashland, OR 97520. Phone/fax 541-552-1782, E-mail: beachavenue@jeffnet.org,  Jud Schwartz, Nikki Clifton-Producers