Universal Rhythm

NextAid and Solar Sister Present ILLUMINATE
A Benefit for Economic Empowerment for Girls’ and Women in Africa onSeptember 18, 2011 from 5pm – 1am at YOTEL New York City
Who says you can’t have fun while doing good?  Not us!  On behalf of the resilient energy of girls and women, we intend to dance and sing our empowerment!
New York, NY – On September 18^th, 2011, NextAid and Solar Sister are pulling together resources, putting on their dancing shoes, and raising voices to propel awareness about the power in providing girls and women greater economic opportunity. Recognizing this is a global issue – these organizations are taking a daring leap to host two ‘Sister’ events to reach out to the global community!
On September 18, 2011 Illuminate will light up the night at New York City’s ground-breaking Yotel to kick off one of the most important weeks in global action meetings: the Clinton Global Initiative, the United Nations General Assembly, White Ribbon Alliance’s Women Inspiration and Enterprise Symposium, and Mashable’s Social Good Summit. 
Through the energy of music and dance, and the environmental pursuit of solar power solutions in transforming the accessibility and opportunities for communities worldwide, NextAid and Solar Sister’s Illuminate is bringing together renowned DJs, including Anane’ Vega, Nickodemus, DJ OBaH, and Mr. V to tap fire up the night. In partnership with Giant Step, Nokero, White Ribbon Alliance, flavorpill, and fusicology and with special guests to be announced, Illuminate will give the next generation of social venture leaders a platform to express their devotion in developing creative solutions that empower communities to tap their greatest potential. In honor of girls and women worldwide, and the power of solar energy, Illuminate will host an environment where the earnest and hardworking interns, social change innovators and social enterprise stars can have the chance to mix, mingle, do good, and DANCE!  
Illuminate takes place at Yotel Club Lounge at 570 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10036. Tickets are available at http://illuminate-nyc.eventbrite.com.
Then in November 2011 NextAid and Solar Sister are taking Illuminate global linking up with the power of the electronic music and dance scene in Kampala, Uganda. Illuminate will cross-connect an awareness-raising message of girls’ and women’s economic empowerment to the next generation of rising leaders. Working with local artists, musicians, and DJs Illuminate will bring together community mobilizers and social innovators in an event that elevates and connects the stage for Uganda’s community of change makers to tap into the global community.
Illuminate NYC and Kampala will present a unique opportunity for networking and messaging from NextAid and Solar Sister that propels the importance of giving girls and women the opportunity to improve their lives through accessible health-care, educational pursuits, and their entrepreneurial energies. Working together, these leading voices in women’s empowerment send a message that it is up to ALL of us to create the change we want to see in the world.  And that means reaching beyond the usual suspects of policy wonks and social do-gooders.  If the world is going to change, we have to reach a new audience, a younger audience with energy to take these messages to their extended social networks. We have to break through to them on a channel that they will turn on to.  Hosting a dance party for good is a light-hearted, but serious minded, way of connecting for good.
NextAid:
With a mission to improve the lives of children, youth, and women in Africa by promoting and implementing sustainable solutions, NextAid raises awareness for, and partners with, community-based projects and grassroots organizations in Africa.  NextAid implements and promotes integrated approaches with the belief that it is the best formula for establishing real and lasting change. Through music events and public education initiatives, NextAid provides empowering opportunities for concerned individuals to make a difference.
Solar Sister:
Solar Sister is a social enterprise that empowers women through economic opportunity. Solar Sister supports women and girls in rural Africa by providing access to clean, dependable solar energy that enhances education, improves health and offers opportunity for entrepreneurial enterprise.
Yotel - NYC:
Created by YO! Founder Simon Woodroffe OBE and YOTEL CEO Gerard Greene, Yotel offers a ‘first class’ hotel experience translating the language of luxury airline travel and Japanese influence into small but luxurious cabins. Yotel’s New York location is home to four multipurpose event spaces (The Terrace, Club Rooms, The Dohyo, and the Studiyo) providing guest with social ease during the day and at night morphing into a beer and cocktail fueled lounge with DJs supplying endless beats and ambiance.  
Nokero:
Nokero (short for No Kerosene) was formed in June 2010 by inventor Steve Katsaros to develop safe and environmentally-friendly solar products that eliminate the need for harmful and polluting fuels used for light and heat around the world, and most importantly, are affordable to the communities that need them.
Event contact information: