NextAid, a leading nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of music to support sustainable development projects that serve vulnerable children, youth and women in Africa, announces its fifth annual World AIDS Day event and its inaugural Art Basel event. In partnership with Dream Hotel and the Environmental Coalition of Miami & the Beaches (ECOMB), the event will showcase the work of noted painter Erin Parish, who is graciously donating a portion of art sales to the associated non-profit organizations in a hip, cool and conscious musical environment. Sounds for the event will be provided by legendary house music diva Ultra Nate’, along with popular Miami spinner, DJ Aladdin. The art and music showcase will take place from 5pm-9pm on December 1st at Dream South Beach 1111 Collins Ave. Eco-friendly cocktails will be provided by environmental beverage company VeeV Açaí Spirits. RSVP and VIP table reservations are at www.rise-sobe.eventbrite.com. Online donations are strongly encouraged.
World AIDS Day is recognized globally and takes place every year on December 1st to acknowledge the loss of millions of lives over 30 years. NextAid honors the memories of those lost by activating the international dance music community to raise funds and awareness for populations currently being affected by AIDS, particularly women and children in Africa who carry the burden of the pandemic. Proceeds from this event will support NextAid’s current projects in Africa, including the construction of an eco-friendly, micro-enterprise facility for street youth which trains and employs young HIV positive mothers and others at risk due to lack of income. It will also benefit ECOMB, one of Miami-Dade County’s leading environmental organizations promoting community sustainability through litter prevention, community recycling, habitat restoration and carbon footprint reduction strategies. Together, these organizations create positive environmental, social and economically sustainable change locally and abroad in a contemporary creative fashion.
About Dream Hotel
Imaginative and whimsical, Dream South Beach is an intriguing hotel proving unexpected delights are still possible in a place where the extraordinary is commonplace. The illusion begins with the transformation of two iconic, Art Deco South Beach Miami hotels – the Tudor Hotel and Palmer House – into a sophisticated, boutique realm of just 108 rooms and suites. Step inside and find a quiet, cool, and delightfully hypnotic, hideaway from the South Florida sun. Relax in late 70’s inspired accommodations. Or lounge by the rooftop pool and lounge. Whatever your choice, Dream South Beach is a delightfully hypnotic hideaway. www.dreamsouthbeach.com
About Erin Parish
Erin Parish paints fields of circles that contain worlds. It’s rare to find a geometric element repeated to the point of patterning in paintings yielding so much spatiality, but Parish wrings space from pattern through scale shifts and an atmospheric materiality in her paint that shimmers and veils as much as it discloses in literal fashion her painting processes and the physical here and now of being before her painting. If spatial illusion is all about there and concrete materiality is all about here, then Parish has found an elegant, even romantic language for bringing the two together. Painting has been perpetually concerned with this effort, even as the broader cultural narrative or metaphoric story-line has changed (or evolved, if you are an optimist) across the centuries. The manner in which a painter achieves her synthesis of illusion and materiality, form and gesture within these larger shifts in cultural address and content might be termed style. When, as often seems the case in abstract art, the discussion has moved past representative social narrative altogether, style might seem to be all there is. To preview the paintings for the event Rise, please go to http://www.erinparish.com/
About Ultra Nate’
In her two decades of making music, Ultra Naté has remained a musical chameleon, embracing a variety of sounds, from R&B/hip-hop, soul and disco to house, rock and electro-pop. Her reasoning for doing this is quite simple: “I hate boxes,” Naté says. “Where’s the fun in being totally predictable?” She continues, “It’s always important to experiment and be a bit of a maverick in your [musical and p.rsonal] stylings. Win, lose or draw, when it’s all over, people will respect you more if you don’t always play it safe.” Indeed. Twenty years after sashaying onto international dance floors with the club anthem, “It’s Over Now,” Naté stands tall and proud, proving that artist longevity, though not common for singers of dance music, is alive and well—and a real possibility for those willing to work hard for the money. Ultra Naté’s 20 year anniversary in the business comes at a time of non-stop work and recording sessions. Working hard for the money means wearing numerous hats. Sure, Naté is the singer of the song, but she is also a songwriter, producer, DJ, label owner (BluFire and Deep Sugar), club promoter, live performer, and philanthropist! www.ultranate.com
About DJ Aladdin
DJ, producer and remixer, Aladdin, is a West Coast native, who continually keeps the deep house vibe alive in Miami Beach, continuing his mission in spreading his love through music. Noted as one of Miami’s local favorite DJ’s, Aladdin currently holds down a 6 year long weekly residency at the famed chic pre-night club gathering place, Segafredo L’Originale on Lincoln Rd. in Miami Beach. “Play the music from your heart and soul… and they will follow” ~ Aladdin www.emergerecordings.com
About The Environmental Coalition of Miami & the Beaches
ECOMB, an environmental not-for-profit organization founded in 1994, is dedicated to the promotion of environmental sustainability and the preservation of our community’s ecology. This mission is carried out through the development and implementation of a variety of educational programs and campaigns. For more info, visit www.ecomb.org
About NextAid
NextAid is an LA based nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of music to support sustainable development projects that serve vulnerable children, youth and women in Africa. Through music events and public education initiatives, NextAid provides empowering opportunities for concerned individuals to make a difference. www.nextaid.org
About World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is a day when individuals and organizations from around the world come together to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is ‘Getting to Zero’. After 30 years of the global fight against HIV/AIDS, this year the global community has committed to focusing on achieving 3 targets: “Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related death. More information can be found at http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/
About Art Basel
From December 1 through 4, Miami Beach, Florida, will host the 10th edition of Art Basel Miami Beach, the most prestigious art show in the Americas. More than 260 leading galleries from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa will take part, showcasing works by more than 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. More info www.artbasel.com