THE FOURTH ANNUAL NEW ENGLAND CULTURE FEST (NECF 2007) RETURNS TO LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ON SEPTEMBER 1: The Nation's Premiere Fair Trade Festival!

    Fair Trade Meets Hollywood at the Nation's Premiere Fair Trade Festival!

/24-7PressRelease/ - LOWELL, MA, August 12, 2007 - In an exciting fusion of film, fashion, world culture, and fair trade advocacy, The Fourth Annual New England Culture Fest benefit extravaganza returns to the Arts District of historic downtown Lowell, Mass. (2-10 PM) with a touch of Hollywood in headliners, Leon and the Peoples, featuring actor/singer Leon, the star of films such as blockbuster "Cool Runnings," "Above the Rim" and "Waiting to Exhale." Out of a love for music apparent through his award winning performances in "The Temptations" and "The Little Richard Story," Leon bursts onto the scene with his signature Reggae - Soul sound in honor of the economic empowerment work of the non-profit organization, Second World.

"I am honored and excited to be part of 2007 New England Culture Fest Benefit! This festival embodies so many of the aspects of this world & community that Leon & The Peoples stand for. I can't wait to bring our brand of Reggae/Soul Live and Direct!!! Respect & Love, Leon "

And that's not all. New Englanders will be immersed in the sights and sounds of global cultures, as cobblestone meets carnival with Atlas Soul under the banner "World Music for World Peace" with guest appearance by Peruvian music masters Inca Son. Also Jen Kearney and The Lost Onion will also grace the stage to prove why they are called "The Soul of Lowell." Three part harmonies of reggae, blues and funk will rouse the crowd with NYC's Pie Boys Flat and United Roots and Movement City will energize with acrobatic urban dance. The B-3 driven funk of Organ in Orbit may bump loose some historic bricks of Lowell's Arts District, and straight from D.C. we'll experience "Neo Soul World Fusion" by lovely Janelia Soul Afrique. The crowd will get their groove on to another level with The Boston Horns- back at the NECF by popular demand. As night falls the crowd will find themselves immersed in a NECF hallmark - large scale interactive video installation art covering the historic mill buildings featuring the Second World Fair Trade Stories Film Archive by a team headed by the Boston VJ, Zebbler (of Aqua Teen Hunger Force fame). There will be an amazing hand painted backdrop by Gary Cadet, the NECF Art Fence running the length of Middle Street created by multitalented youth from Movement City, and henna, painting, dream interpretation, and activities at the Culture Fest Ethical Art & Biz Expo. Also on tap: a scintillating fashion show from Second World's "Fashionably Fair" advocacy program fusing fashion and fair trade in a stunning display of labels from as far away as the United Kingdom and India with Drishtee and Ganesh Imports, along with union-made footwear & casual clothing from No Sweat and handmade/recycled vintage treats designed by Amity Joy from Portsmouth New Hampshire's The Odd Showroom and Princess Cornflower.

More than one hundred outrageously creative artists, ethical businesses, fair trade organizations and restaurants are expected to participate in NECF 2007, all of which is set for an international streaming broadcast. Among the many festivities and surprises at the Culture Fest's interactive Ethical Art & Biz Expo; Oxfam America will represent their "Make Trade Fair" campaign, while Green Mountain Coffee Roasters will be on hand with tasty fair trade coffee, Organic Valley goodies will be circulating, South Indian food from Mysore Veggie, Cambodian Tepitha Kmer and Thai cuisine- as banana experts Oke USA will make amazing bicycle powered smoothies!

Event Partners include Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, The Massachusetts Cultural Council, The Boston Globe, Enterprise Bank, Oxfam America, Earth Realty, Organic Valley, The Holiday Inn Andover Tewksbury, Modern Flower Design, Mahoney's Garden Center, Lowell General Hospital, 88.9 FM WERS, Boston, The Boston Phoenix, The City of Lowell, Arturo Photographer, Vicrae Entertainment, The Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, Christian Party Rental, North Shore Bridge, Dustin Gray Photography, Lowell Boot Cotton Mill, Oke USA, Movement City Wild Oats and Fast Lane Music Productions. Raffles and prizes featuring prizes from over 70 featured New England businesses, artists, fair trade organizations and craftspeople at NECF's Ethical Interactive Art & Biz Expo will also be ongoing throughout the day of the festival. As the present echoes the past in the spirit of the Lowell Mill Girls, Second World brings you an amazing event rallying for a better world for a very fair ticket price.

This is the only Fair Trade Festival globally, being a unique event in the United States highlighting the movement celebrating creative excellence, and the continuing struggle to provide a self-sustaining living wage and safe working conditions for artisans, musicians and workers worldwide.

The New England Culture Fest Mission Statement:

The funds raised via the festival will support Second World's art empowerment documentation projects around the world which go hand in hand with fair trade advocacy and educational programs (lectures, workshops) in the Boston area. With funds raised from the New England Culture Fest, Second World will continue to develop these initiatives linking New England with communities throughout India, Nepal, Peru and Jamaica. The goal is to increase awareness of fair trade and increase the number of orders given to cooperatives, along with establishing a self-sustainable online portal of multimedia information regarding fair trade, and its cultural/economic impact for disadvantaged indigenous and marginalized communities. Eighty percent of Second World's beneficiaries are women.

About Second World:

Bridging the gap between the so called "First" and "Third" World, with media, music and art. Second World is a dynamic non-profit arts and development organization combining media, music and art for a better world. As a leader since 1998 dedicated to the marketing of fair trade artisans, and their stories, the nucleus of Second World is a multimedia research archive of educational tools. Based on a decade of research, Second World aims to address the crucial need for cultural education. Ultimately, Second World hopes to bridge the gap between the "First" and "Third World" through media documentation, musical events and fair trade art empowerment.

"First" World. "Third" World. Forget What Your Were Told. Welcome to the Second World.

Second World, 172 Middle Street Suite 107 Lowell MA 01852

# # #