Cease Fire Now: An Evening of Words and Music Against the Siege of Lebanon and Palestine

July 28, 2006, Oakland, CA---Bay Area writers and musicians are responding quickly to the escalations of attacks in Lebanon and Palestine with a benefit at La Peña Cultural Center on August 9, 2006. They are hoping to raise funds for the victims and heighten awareness of the severity of the recent activities in the Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

The evening's performers include Ishmael Reed, MacArthur Foundation Genius, recent Before Columbus American Book Award Winner, Matthew Shenoda, Pen Oakland Award Winner, Elmaz Abinader, Deema Shehabi, Amir Chidiac and other writers are joined by jazz musicians MB Hanif and the Sound Voyagers, jazz artist, Rita Lackey, composer, Omar Khorsheed, jazz vocalist Sarine Balianand others. In addition the writers and musicians will collaborate in a new piece created by Abinader named Messages from the Siege, a montage of letters from Lebanon and Palestine, combined with voices, poetry and music.