Michael Franti & Spearhead to Rock Obliteride Kick-off Party - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
SEATTLE – July 16, 2013 – Michael Franti & Spearhead will pump up the crowd with energetic and fun music at Obliteride’s kick-off party at Gas Works Park on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. All riders registered to participate in this fundraiser for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will receive two complimentary tickets to this exclusive party, which will be catered by famed Seattle chef Tom Douglas. There is still space available, so people interested in attending the party can sign up to ride at obliteride.org.
“We’re thrilled to have Michael Franti perform at Obliteride,” said Amy Lavin, Obliteride’s executive director. “I’ve seen him in concert and he has the exact type of energy we’re looking for at Obliteride’s inaugural kick-off celebration. He gets everyone dancing and brings his passion and humanity to everyone in the crowd.”
Michael Franti & Spearhead just released a new song, “I’m Alive,” from the band’s upcoming album. It rocketed into the top 15 on Billboard’s AAA charts in just three weeks. Franti is best known for his upbeat song “The Sound of Sunshine,” which held the No. 1 spot for eight weeks. Franti is also an outspoken supporter of peace and a variety of social justice issues.
Michael Franti & Spearhead kicks off an impressive music lineup for Obliteride weekend. Nearly a dozen bands will perform including The Paperboys and Not-Its!, a popular adult-savvy children’s band. “Obliteride will be an epic weekend with fun parties, delicious food -- including a Tom Douglas gourmet salmon dinner -- and scenic bike rides,” said Lavin. Participants can choose from four routes with various distances and terrains, so all levels of riders can make their marks against cancer. “We’re urging people who don’t normally ride to come join the fun, volunteer, or ride 25 miles and raise money to help us end cancer,” Lavin said. “Thanks to our generous sponsors, every penny raised will go directly to cancer research at Fred Hutch.”
The inaugural ride is Aug. 10, 2013. The registration fee increases on July 20, 2013, so hurry and register to ride or volunteer today at obliteride.org/register.
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About Obliteride
Driven by the goal to end cancer, Obliteride is a new, community-wide effort to accelerate lifesaving cancer research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. We are creating a movement of people committed to obliterating cancer and saving lives faster. It culminates in a fundraising bike ride Aug. 9-11, 2013 that will be quintessentially Northwest. Thanks to anchor sponsors, University Village and The Sloan Foundation, and other inaugural sponsors, 100 percent of every dollar raised goes directly to breakthrough cancer research at Fred Hutch. Join us. Ride. Donate. Volunteer. Tell others. Ending cancer starts at Fred Hutch. www.obliteride.org
Contact:
Kerri Kazarba Schneider
Obliteride Media Relations
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
kerri@obliteride.org
206-288-3332
For the Media