Press Release: RAISE Hope for Congo to Benefit From February 19 Afro-Pop Concert in Washington, D.C.

 

For Immediate Release February 12, 2009

Contact Eileen White Read, 202-741-6376 [email protected]

MEDIA ADVISORY: RAISE Hope for Congo to Benefit From February 19 Afro-Pop Concert in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 12, 2009 – The Enough Project’s RAISE Hope for Congo campaign will be the beneficiary of the Concert for Congo at the DC9 nightclub here on February 19, 2009, featuring the afro-pop and roots-music group, Elikeh.

Enough, a project against genocide and crimes against humanity at the Center for American Progress, launched the RAISE Hope for Congo: Protect and Empower Congo’s Women campaign last fall to raise awareness about widespread sexual violence against women and girls plaguing the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo, in central Africa. Today, eastern Congo is caught in an epidemic of appalling sexual violence, as militias use rape as a military tactic to destroy communities and exert control over natural resources. The conflict has been marked by cycles of escalation, and the international response has been wholly inadequate.

Elikeh is sponsoring the concert, one of a series, to help raise awareness about struggles being waged today in Africa. Elikeh comprises some of the Washington area’s best African and African-influenced musicians, playing drums, bass, three guitars, percussion, and saxophones. Togolese singer/composer Massama Dogo leads the group, while the other members are from Cameroon, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast, as well as the United States. Elikeh (www.elikeh.com) was nominated for a 2007 Washington Area Music Association Award for “Best World Music Group.” An acoustic trio, PS24 (www.myspace.com/ps24music) and the funk band Godisheus (www.myspace.com/godisheus) will join Elikeh on stage.

Concert for Congo will be held on February 19, 2009 at the DC9 nightclub, located at 1940 9th Street, NW. Doors will open at 8:30 PM, and tickets are $10.