Other Music from a... Different Kitchen

Dear Friends and Family:

Some of you hear from me regularly while some of you I unfortunately only keep in touch with every so often. However events over the past three years have compelled me to reach out to everyone I know with this letter and invitation.

If, like me, you feel the direction this country has been headed in under the leadership of George W. Bush has been the wrong one, I ask you to make your voice heard and help make a difference this November. One of the ways I am trying to make that difference is through my love of hip hop and by working with the Slam Bush PAC. Slam Bush’s mission is to mobilize young music fans of the hip hop nation and turn them into voters through grassroots efforts and the tremendous power of hip hop culture.

The centerpiece of the Slam Bush strategy has been a series of anti-Bush hip hop "MC battles" — half concert, half contest — that challenged rappers and slam poets to grab the mic and "debate the President." Contest prizes and heavy local promotion drew thousands of potential anti-Bush voters to these grassroots slams, and attracted the attention of the hip hop community and media around the country. Local hip hop voices were given an opportunity to be heard on a national political stage, and Slam Bush facilitated an innovative, new form of peer-to-peer political organizing.



However, even grassroots organizing doesn’t come cheap and there are expenses and costs that still have to be paid from the over twelve regional Slam events that were held as well for the National Championship Wednesday, September 29 (see flyer above), so Slam Bush is holding a fundraiser event this Wednesday to help defray some these costs and to educate people more about the organization and its mission.

Many of you might not view yourselves as being political but this November’s election is far too important for potential voters to remain apathetic on the sidelines. At the very least, come check out the event this Wednesday and see how a music and culture many of us love and have made a living form is being used a tool for political change and some good and maybe even become inspired to become even more involved. Details follow in the invitation below and hopefully I will see you all at Sugar Bar on Wednesday.

Best,

-- Ian


The Slam Bush NYC Host Committee:


Billy Wimsatt • Sharese Bullock • Tate Hausman • Don Hazen • Nick Adler • Stephanie Low • Carol Lapidus • Ian Steaman • Belin Meslin • Nick Rudikoff • Shawna Kaplan • Chris Wangro • Diane Hatz • Johanna Schaetzke • Saranii Muller


Invites you to a "Hip Hop Reception and Spoken Word Smackdown"
benefiting

S L A M B U S H


2004's most Innovative, Bold and Effective Anti-Bush Campaign


Wednesday, Sept. 22,
6-8 pm
Sugar Bar - 311 Church St
(Take 1/9, A/C/E, N/R, J/M/Z or 6 to Canal, walk 1 block south on
Church)

• No door fee
• Open bar to 7
• Suggested donation of $50 - $500
• Bring your anti-Bush friends!

Special performances by:

Andrew "Tyree" Clinkscale
New York's own Slam Bush Champion

Verbal Tec
Slam Bush Online Champion (Philly)


Come hear how SLAM BUSH is successfully converting urban youth into lifetime voters. With support from friends like you, we can mobilize this crucial voting bloc. Bring your checkbook and prepare to be inspired!

Please RSVP by Tuesday, Sept. 21 to Tate Hausman by email or calling (212) 932-0934.

IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND, but still wish to support this important effort, you can make an online donation through our secure website:

For more information, click for the evite here or check out and www.slambush.net.

The Fine Print:
Federal Election Commission Compliance: Donations to Slam Bush are not tax-deductible because we are a political action committee (PAC). Individuals may contribute up to $5,000 to Slam Bush per calendar year. Individuals may contribute up to $95,000 per two-year election cycle to all candidates and committees and up to $37,500 per two-year cycle to PACs. In compliance with Federal Election Commission requirements, we cannot accept your donation unless the following statements are true:
• I am a United States citizen or a permanent resident alien.
• I am at least 18 years of age.
• I am making this contribution from my own funds.
• I am making this contribution on my own personal credit card and not with a corporate or business credit card or a credit card issued to anyone else.
• This contribution does not exceed my personal contribution limit.
• I am not a federal contractor.