fundraiser

Dear friends, for the fifth year in a row, Ipas is kicking of the holidays with the Rock for Reproductive Rights benefit concert.  I am thrilled that we've managed to secure not only the local talent Caitlin Cary, but also Cajun stars Michael Doucet, and Ann and Marc Savoy.  So thrilled, in fact, that I'm cutting short a trip to Africa to be back to help MC the program!

If you like good music, and you like to dance, and you value the lives of women, I hope you'll come out in December and support us -- and maybe even consider being a sponsor!

Cheers, Kirsten

Rock for Reproductive Rights

On Saturday, December 6th, Ipas will show its holiday spirit with the fifth annual Rock for Reproductive Rights benefit concert!

We're particularly excited about the 2008 lineup. The evening will begin with the incomparable Caitlin Cary. "Rock, country, soul and folk smoothly blend together with Cary's gorgeous vocals serving as the unifying force," says entertainment reviewer Michael Berick. Caitlin is a founding member of the band Tres Chicas, and has recorded several tantalizing duets with Thad Cockerell. This will be the second time Caitlin has leant her voice to Ipas's cause – Tres Chicas mesmerized the audience during the 2005 Rock for Reproductive Rights.

Next we'll break out our Mardi Gras beads and our best swamp dancin' shoes for the Savoy Doucet Cajun Band, featuring Michael Doucet, the Grammy award-winning lead singer and fiddler from Beausoleil, and Ann and Marc Savoy, both Louisiana musicians. In 2005, Doucet was one of 12 recipients of the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA award, which recognizes artistic excellence, cultural authenticity and an artist's contributions, is the highest honor in U.S. folk and traditional arts. OffBeat magazine has described Ann Savoy as "cajun music's cultural ambassador." She plays cajun music in the movie, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, and produced a Grammy-nominated recording of cajun music that includes performances by Linda Ronstadt and John Fogerty. Ann and accordionist-husband Marc — also an NEA Heritage Fellow— perform around the world. Marc's performances include three presidential inaugurations and shows at the John F. Kennedy Center, the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London and the Newport Folk Festival. He also appeared in the PBS documentary, "American Roots."

Ipas works around the globe to increase women's reproductive rights and to save women's lives in places where abortion is illegal or inaccessible. With local, national and global partners, Ipas strives to ensure that women can obtain safe, respectful and comprehensive abortion care, including counseling and family-planning services. Ipas trains health-care providers to improve health services, promotes appropriate technologies and works with policymakers and advocates to improve health policies and practices.

We hold the concert each year to raise money for our work and to educate the local community about unsafe abortion and the toll it takes on women and on their families and communities. The World Health Organization estimates that almost 70,000 women die from unsafe abortions each year, and five million are injured.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the ArtsCenter at (919)929-2787 or online at the ArtsCenter website.

You can support Ipas by sponsoring the concert with a tax deductible contribution. Concert sponsors who donate $50 or more will receive two complimentary tickets to the concert. We appreciate your support. Click here to make a donation.

Bring your checkbook and your desire for change to our "Turn North Carolina Blue for Barack Obama" party!

For the first time in decades, North Carolina can be the state that puts a Democrat in the White House. Senator Obama's message of change has resonated with Tar Heel voters, but his campaign needs all the help it can get as it fights against a Republican smear campaign of truly epic proportions. A representative from the Obama-Biden campaign will be on hand to share with us Senator Obama's vision for America and to tell us how we can get involved with the campaign.

Suggested contribution amounts: $25, $50, $75, $100, $200 -- and/or a firm commitment to volunteer with the Obama-Biden campaign between now and Election Day!

BABYSITTING WILL BE PROVIDED! So bring the kids and learn how you can help turn North Carolina blue for Barack Obama on November 4th!

Please RSVP directly to me no later than Monday, October 13th, so we can get some sense of numbers. Also, PLEASE NOTE: If you're bringing your children, please let us know in your RSVP the number and ages of the children. Thanks!