AlanFest 2012 - A Story Worth Hearing

AlanFest 2012, A Story Worth Hearing

(On a personal note, this is my baby sister's only son.  His life's story was amazing.  And hundreds, if not thousands of his family, friends and supporters are coming together in Athens, Georgia next weekend to celebrate his life and honor the huge impact that his short life had on this earth.)

Alan Fest 2012 --- ATHENS, Georgia --- “We’re throwing an evening concert for everyone to get together and rage in memory of Alan, the coolest guy I know,” says Meara Spillum, girlfriend of Alan Lewis. She’s speaking of AlanFest, an upcoming concert that takes place on Earth Day weekend Saturday, April 21, 2012 at New Earth Music Hall, in honor of the late David Alan Lewis. “It’s for friends of Alan to come together and reconnect, it’s a time to remember and rejoice in his spirit, a night to share the story of who Alan is, and a night to raise some money for his scholarship fund. Plus, it’s going to be one heck of a show.”

Alan, a 2010 University of Georgia graduate, was a well-loved young man with a passion for music and a promising career in the field of landscape architecture. He tragically passed away while attempting to save his dog’s life during an early afternoon hike on April 30th, 2011. Merely a month and a half shy of turning 30 years old, Alan had begun to take the turn into the second phase of his life. “It’s a tragedy when a talented young man with so much ahead of him loses his life too soon” says Darren Scott, friend and past co-worker of Alan’s.

Had the accident not occurred that day, Alan would have been utilizing his education and honing his skills in the field of Landscape Architecture. He had an aptitude for realizing nature’s presence in an urbanized area and for composing a harmony between the two. “It didn’t matter if we were in the car, on a hike, or just walking the dog. Alan was always pointing out the plant names, the scientific names of course, and sharing his knowledge and gift,” said Spillum. His artistic renderings won him praise from his professors at the University of Georgia and the admiration of his peers, friends, and family. He had a strong love for his chosen profession and worked incredibly hard at succeeding in it. 

Alan’s family and friends have spent the last year celebrating his life and mourning his death. Some of his closet confidantes, with the support of his family, decided to pick up the baton he left behind and set forth on building upon his legacy. “I’ve been looking forward to working with my best friends in Alan’s memory, and I’ve spent just about every waking hour for the last few weeks working on setting things in motion,” says Kevin Carlan, one of the front runners of AlanFest. On April 21, 2012 New Earth Music Hall will be opening its doors and hosting this event which promises to be one to remember. A silent auction showcasing generous donations from the community Alan adored will be held as well. 

The intention of AlanFest has always been to take the opportunity to give back to the field of Landscape Architecture and help future students of the discipline realize their dreams. Alan always held the belief that is the job of a good human being to be there for their friends and help out people in need. “He’s everyone’s best friend, and that says a lot,” says Jody Smith, a long-term childhood friend. All of the proceeds from AlanFest will go to the David Alan Lewis memorial scholarship fund and will finds its way
into the hands of another artistic visionary with the same passion for nature that Alan had.

Visit www.alanfest.org for tickets, donations, and additional information about the event.

TICKETS FOR ALAN FEST 2012 

Individual tickets
Ticket prices for AlanFest are $15.00, available for advanced purchase at
www.alanfest.org; Day-off tickets available at New Earth Music Hall. Doors open at  8pm for evening concert event.

Cash Donations
Make a contribution towards furthering the profession of Landscape Architecture and putting a student through school in the memory of Alan Lewis. Cash donations can be made:

- Online at www.alanfest.org.

- Checks payable to:

      The David Alan Lewis Foundation

      c/o Kelly Scott

      190 Sherwood Drive

      Athens, GA 30606

In Kind Donations
We are accepting goods and services you would like to contribute. A silent auction/raffle to raise money will be held during the event. We are also accepting donations that go towards the bands/people putting on AlanFest 2012. All in kind donations from individuals, organizations, and companies will receive recognition for your generous donation.
Qualifying donations are tax deductible through the David Alan Lewis Foundation non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Participating Musicians

DUBCONSCIOUS:
Since 2002, the Athens, GA dub reggae collective DubConscious has been on the  leading edge of solution-based philosophy, social and environmental awareness, and the evolution of today’s music. They are dedicated to spreading the word on sustainability, unity, and a greater understanding of the human experience. They have been spotlighted in a variety of media including BobMarley.com, JamBase, XM radio, NPR, MTV.com and have been awarded Athens, GA’s esteemed Flagpole Music Award for “Best World Music” in 2005, 2006, and 2007.  DubConscious’ genuinely inspiring live atmosphere, coupled with their studio recordings, successfully harness the energy and powerful nature of the genres they exemplify. Fifth and newest studio album: “NonViolent”

CHERRY ROYALE:
Cherry Royale is a sub-act of The Axis, a funk/soul/R&B/hip-hop/electro collective. The Axis was formed in early 2010 by founding members of Atlanta funk-powerhouse Entropy, Athens reggae pioneers DubConscious and other like-minded Atlanta musicians. The Axis can be one or all three of the sub-acts and can also include sets by MC Rock Most and The Sixteen Bars Hip-Hop Orchestra featuring MC Sub-Zero. They have recently played with Soulive, Orgone, Yo Mamma’s Big Fat Booty Band and Maceo Parker. Kofi and Oteil Burbridge and Kebbi Williams (Derek Trucks/Susan Tedeschi Band) are all guest performers on their upcoming self-titled EP, “Cherry Royale”, out on Dirty Bomb Records.

RUSTY LINDSEY BAND:
Rusty has been making music with family and friends since he was a young boy. The blues of the Mississippi Delta is the first music he can remember pickin’ on his guitar. Since then, he has added soulful guitar work to countless bands (including Remains of the Day), but it was not until he began writing his own songs did he find his love of storytelling. Debut release: “Devil in Drag”

SUMILAN:
Brought together in the Classic City, Sumilan is a band breaking the boundaries of classification. With a natural sound that has evolved into their own, the “sum” of the members’ musical leanings and influences brings a full, eclectic and now unique sound to the stage that pleases the ear, initiates head bobbing, and revives passion for rock ‘n’ roll while appealing to the tastes of now. Pronunciation-- SUE-MAH-LAHN

THANK YOU

FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO

ALAN FEST 2012.

Please contact Kevin Carlan or Kelly Scott if you have further questions or need additional media assistance. Upon request, family and friends are available for on-camera, email, or telephone interviews.

For silent auction details and contributions please contact Meara Spillum or Kelly Scott.

CONTACTS:    

Kevin Carlan, 706-870-3806, kevincarlan@yahoo.com

Kelly Scott, 706-254-9666, kelp422@aol.com (Athens local)

Meara Spillum, 404-625-1896, meara.spillum@gmail.com

For more information, please visit the concert website at  www.alanfest.org.