This application is ONLY for businesses and Community groups within the city limits of Clarkston Ga

Dear Clarkston Business Owner:

Clarkston Business - Get new customers!

What could your business do with exposure to 20,000 new potential customers? One of our primary goals is to promote the culture and businesses we have in Clarkston. Having a festival is a great way to show the positive side of the Clarkston and to showcase the people as well as the businesses that reside in Clarkston. Participation int the festival can help you grow your business and gain new customers because we will be attracting thousands of metro Atlanta neighbors who will literally walk right by your booth!

Get involved with the festival

There are many opportunities to grow your business at the 2-day festival:

1. Set up a 10 x 10 business booth for $110. This is more than 1/2 off the regular festival vendor cost of $225. Consider giving coupons, samples and fliers.
2. A $75 sponsor donation will have your business represented on the Shop Clarkston business banner
3. Any business vendor with a booth or on the Shop Clarkston business banner will have an advertising post on the www.clarkstonfestival.com website with link and a mention in the festival program.
4. We also offer Free Table Space, as available, in the Shop Clarkston Business area to businesses with in the city limits.

These opportunities cost less than half what businesses outside Clarkston will be paying to participate. Let us help you market and advertise your business to the more than 20,000 visitors to the festival. Imagine being able to talk to thousands of new customers in 2 days.

This is a fantastic opportunity to give away coupons, samples, gather emails and leads, demonstrate products, answer questions and really get the word out about your business! We are spending thousands of dollars on advertising in print, radio, TV and billboards to promote this event.

Get in on the action TODAY! Download and fill out your application.
This application is ONLY for businesses and Community groups within the city limits of Clarkston Ga

Community group or non profit within Clarkston city limits?

We will have an International Pavilion too! Join us there and spread the word about your organization!

This application is ONLY  Community groups within the city limits of Clarkston Ga

City of Clarkston  Application & Payment Information

Mail application, materials and applicable fees to:

The Clarkston Festival, PO Box 68, Clarkston, GA 30021

The Clarkston City Blues Concert and Festival – Sat., September 25^{th, 10am – 9pm} and Sun., September 26^th, ^{10am – 7pm}.

Ph – 888-789-4830, fax – 888-501-6334

www.clarkstonfestival.com, info@clarkstonfestival.com,

If you have any questions please contact artists@ClarkstonFestival.com

Vendor application forms for businesses OUTSIDE Clarkston City Limits

Visit the exhibitor vendor page for details about other ways to get involved.
If you are outside the city limits please download this application.

Businesses ( outside Clarkston City limits) please download this form

The Clarkston City Festival NEEDS you!

Contact us

Holiday Inn Decatur
130 CLAIRMONT AVE
DECATUR, GEORGIA 30030
Hotel Front Desk: 1-404-3710204

Don’t forget to buy your Blues Concert tickets!

Get them in advance and save $5 a ticket!
Adult tickets $30 – $25 in advance
Child tickets  $15 – $12.50 in advance

Buy Clarkston Blues Concert tickets

Veterans Community Outreach Foundation of Clarkston 501 (c) 3 Nonprofit In Clarkston Ga

Mission Statement:   Support Our Soldiers (SOS) Veterans Support
Assistance for active duty soldiers, veterans, and their families
The VCOF main mission is to assist our veterans, and active duty members, & their families in various ways, including supportive services, financial assistance, housing, life skills education, community outreach and mental health services for combat and non-combat related issues. Although located in Georgia, we do our best to provide assistance to those in need wherever they live or are stationed. Giving support assistance to our Vietnam, Iraq & Afghanistan veterans, active duty military & their families.  Our services include emergency financial assistance & housing, outreach, training, short term Mental Health Services, referrals, & more.

First  Stop Veterans’ Resource Center

Preparations are under way to open this one-stop  resource center to help all  veterans,  active duty service member’s,  & their families with emergency  financial aid,  referrals,  VA / SSA benefit information,  employment assistance,  & more.  We are currently a support arm of our brother agency providing these services through the (VCOF) Veterans Community Outreach Foundation of Gainesville, GA.  www.vcof.org  as well as our planned Administrative Offices to be opened in Clarkston, GA.,  in 2010. This is a National, and potentially International, initiative.
A transitional living facility for homeless male veterans in Georgia that we hope to open in October  2010. VCOF House will assist homeless male and female veterans who are struggling, who  have lost their  homes  and their ability  to lead productive lives due to mental & physical illness, addictions,  and / or other issues,  regain their independence and lives through transitional living,  a multi tiered program to include training, and collaboration with government  agencies,  veteran service organizations,  & the community.  These services will help to re-train and reintegrate our veterans back into society.

Veterans Court
We are working diligently in an attempt to facilitate a local Veterans’ Court to help prevent veterans from cycling through the courts. Many of our returning veterans & other veterans resort to drug use, & other behaviors, in an attempt to deal with their combat & service experience and therefore end up in our criminal justice system. Rather than focusing on punishment, Veterans’ Courts are aimed toward getting these men & women the help they really need.
Also involved:  Hall County DOJ, VAMC, VVA, VSO, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars

Help us support our veterans, soldiers, & their families.  Financial contributions are a large part of what helps VCOF, continue to help provide these needed services.
The Veterans & Community Outreach of Clarkston
Blues In The Schools Initiative 2010-11
Why we believe in and support the Blues In The Schools initiative?

Program Mission Statement

The VCOF Blues in the Schools Program Outline

The VCOF Blues in the Schools’ unique programs are “hands on” activities that are similar to an actual rehearsal for a live performance. Over the course of sixteen sessions, the students learn how to play the basics on different instruments; the “blues” scale; call and response; and how to create their own lyrics and revise them, which enhances language development. They also learn the twelve-bar blues form, how to sing together and provide musical accompaniment for each other, and how to perform as a group.

Blues is the root of all American music, and is a healing experience that can be used in a creative, positive and even humorous manner throughout one’s life. The music itself is very accessible, and while the students are learning these new skills, they are involved in “cooperative learning” while interacting with each other in a positive activity.
Our programs include the history of blues music, its evolution and significant cultural influence in the United States, the women of the blues, the instruments and maintenance of them, and the recording history of the music.

After School Programs

Each program begins with a live “kickoff” concert presented at the school by the teachers and other professionals from the area. The concert serves as an entertaining, informative, and “seed planting” experience. This is followed by the actual sixteen-session program itself, concluding with a live performance at the school in front of peers, parents and teachers.
Our programs are usually conducted during “prime risk hours” (e.g., 3:30-5:30 pm) as an After School Program. The VCOF Blues in the Schools program seeks to provide a positive alternative activity for kids during the time of day that most youth problems occur

Music in Schools – Filling the gap

The VCO Foundation will help fill the gap caused by decreased spending on arts and music in our schools and also provides a unique goal-oriented program delivered by professional musicians and teachers to support and nurture the youth in the greater metro Atlanta, Georgia area. Young people attending this program will realize the following benefits through the power of music:

• A constructive and educational alternative to the streets, by way of music, most often during high-risk, after school hours.
• An emotional and creative outlet.
• A sense of accomplishment to promote self-esteem.
• Experience the positive nature of teamwork to realize a common goal.
• Education on American history and culture as seen through music.

How will the VCOF / Blues in The Schools programs be funded?

VCOF is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on corporate sponsorships, private contributions, and grants from public and private agencies and organizations. All contributions are tax-deductible. VCOF also periodically will promote benefit concerts and other fundraising activities to supplement other forms of income.

How will the money be spent?

Ninety percent of our funding goes directly into the program to cover costs of teachers, equipment, recording sessions and consumables (CDs, tapes, DVDs). Ten percent of funding is set aside for operations and administration costs.

What are the goals for The VCO Foundation?

Over the next 18 months our goal is to make the VCOF Blues In The Schools Program as one of the best known and sought after musical education programs in the greater Atlanta area. To accomplish this we will significantly increase fundraising efforts to enable the following:

Expand our programs to reach more schools and communities in the greater metropolitan Atlanta area, providing a full 3- to 5-week program for every school or community center that desires one.

Develop and implement a teacher remuneration model to attract and retain the best teaching talent and enable us to conduct simultaneous programs.

Increase awareness of the program through promotional and fundraising activities such as concerts and assembly programs performed by the faculty.

Purchase additional equipment and recording supplies to ensure recording sessions after every concert.

Ensure long-term follow-up with the participants and track our graduates into their futures.

The Veterans & Community Outreach Foundation of Clarkston

Wish List for each Participating organization

• A new PA and monitors (VCOF is able to get Peavey equipment at almost cost.)
• Four microphone stands
• Four microphones and cords
• Four Electric Guitars (VCOF is able to aquire new “Squire” Stratocasters for $150.00 apiece.)
• Four guitar amps with at least a 12″ speaker in them
• Six guitar stands
• Congo drums
• A set of good bongos
• Electric and Acoustic Guitar Strings, Electric Bass Strings, Picks and Cords
• A Bass amp (Peavey Keyboard amp with 3-4 inputs for bass)
• Good Drum Cymbals, hardware and drum heads, sticks, etc.
• Harmonicas (VCOF will purchase for students to keep. Costs are around $200.00 for each program.)
• Overhead Projector and Stand
• Computer Printer
• One Computer Scanner
• One Fax Machine
• One Mac Computer & Flat LED Screen Monitor

VCO Foundation is an IRS Section 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions to VCOF are tax-deductible. Your contributions will be used to fund our program, helping to purchase musical equipment and supplies, pay teacher costs, and provide ongoing support for our operations.
Please consult your tax and financial advisers regarding the benefits of giving to The VCOF Blues in the Schools programs. Your contributions are greatly appreciated, and will be used wisely. Thank you for your consideration and commitment to our mission.
VCOF Blues in the Schools is in need of new equipment and instruments in good condition. Donations are tax deductible. What a great way to spend your community service dollars.

Creating Hope….Restoring Lives….Building Community

Donations should be sent to:

The Veterans & Community Outreach of Clarkston
PO Box 68
Clarkston, GA. 30021-1145 FED. ID#582013130

The blues in the schools program helps students with learning, confidence and give them a positive focus for life and self expression.

WHAT BLUES IN THE SCHOOLS IS:

The most effective BITS programs utilize a classroom curriculum that affects many students and disciplines. A comprehensive curriculum of one week to a month in length can address the main educational issues of the next century, inter discipline and diversity.

HOW CAN BLUES IN THE SCHOOLS FIT VARIOUS SUBJECTS?

The Blues Foundation - Blues in the schools program

Subjects like Music, Art, English, and Social Studies are natural fits, while creative teachers can individually figure ways to tie Math, Science and Tech Ed to a BITS unit.

Just a simple activity like designing a CD package enlists Art, English, and Music disciplines. When students plan out the touring itinerary for a band, they will utilize Math, Geography, and Language Arts skills in their planning of a month on the road.

At the high school level, the in-depth study of the sharecropping system in the Mississippi Delta combines English, Social Studies, and Music to deliver a very crucial understanding of the relationship between these social and cultural factors in the birth of the blues.

WHAT TYPES OF BLUES MUSIC PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE?

In reality, there is no cohesive, nationally directed BITS initiative that is an established program for schools grades K-12. It is more decentralized and individualized. The Blues Foundation can help you find someone to help you get started with what is right for your educational discipline, you local school district and your intended age group.

The Blues Foundation provides some direction to its affiliated Blues societies, and organizations like the House of Blues, the Seattle Experience Music Project and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have designed curriculum units and lesson plans that are ready to be plugged into any grade or discipline.

For example, Experience Music Project, in association with The Blues Foundation, has produced extensive educational materials to support The Blues series. Central to these materials are blues lesson plans for grades 9 – 12 in the social studies, English and music disciplines. Lesson topics include the blues in history, using the blues to study geography, racial and gender issues in the blues, the blues as poetry, identifying the blues in literature, the blues beat, making blues music, and the impact of the blues. These lesson plans are designed to make the blues accessible to teachers regardless of their level of blues expertise.

These lesson plans are now available to educators in The Blues Teacher’s Guide, which was distributed in 2003 to 25,000 social studies, English and music department chairpersons across the country. The guide includes a compact disc comprising the seminal blues songs referenced in the lesson activities, essays on the history of the blues and blues musicology, and a blues bibliography, discography, and glossary.

A downloadable version of the Blues Teacher’s Guide, including song samples from the accompanying CD, can now be found here.

The programs performers offer are the following:

1. A one hour school assembly
2. An all day workshop that either moves from class to class or remains in the same classroom all day.
3. Artist in Residency programs that last from a week to a full month. These usually culminate in an evening performance or performance at a funding festival.

WHERE DO I LOOK TO FUND THESE PROGRAMS?

Funding such workshops requires a creative search of all the monetary options available.

• Teachers can apply for local Arts Council grants.
• There is also PTA money available at every school for the enrichment of the school. School Improvement Councils put money aside for assembly programs and could be approached, especially during Black History month, to fund a school wide program.
• A local blues society or blues festival could help underwrite the cost.
• More costly Artist in Residency programs might need the corporate sponsorship of a local business.
• An evening concert in the community by the performer can perhaps be tied into grant money. Thus a small grant can be augmented by a full house show at night.

CAN BLUES IN THE SCHOOLS WORK?

Remember how influential music is in the lives of children. At a time when there are budgetary cuts of arts programs across the country, Blues in the Schools can reach students in a way few other curriculums can.

We are privileged to work with some amazing businesses as festival sponsors.  We appreciate your patronage and support here in Clarkston Ga. and look froward to seeing you in September.

Comcast is now Xfinity

.

MLT creative
The MOST fabulous Advertising agency you will EVER work with!

____

DeKalb Medical Center

Waste Management

. ____

State Farm

FRIENDS of the Festival

Hohner Harmonicas

Atlanta Institute for Medical Research, Inc.

Matt Maxwell

Nicole Muslanka

Here is a line up for local musicians performing at the Festival and special blues concert:

Musicians Set To Perform

Tommie Macon & The Gentlemen of Jazz

Rick Carter Project Blues/Rock

Tweety

The Rick Carter Project | MySpace Video

Burundi Drummers of Atlanta
AMAZING sounds and rhythms!

The Burundi Drummers of Atlanta is a special group by its composition. The drumming group is not only composed by men as it was in Burundi tradition, it includes ladies who can drum and dance, making the group very unique. The group is also formed by the three ethnic groups that compose the Burundi community: Hutu, Tutsi and Twa (pygmy). It’s amazing to see people from ethnic groups in conflict back home sharing joys and working as a team in beating the drums.

Africa is the continent of drums, but the drums of Burundi require extraordinary vigor, dexterity, agility and grace. Burundi drums sound like rolling thunderclaps. You don’t listen to them with your ears; you listen with your heart.

Keith and Donny Dynamic Music Duo -Blue Grass and Jazz

Dazzlin Dames Dance troupe

http://pictures.daltoncitizen.com/p292361496/e26ebc2e0

Zydeco T -  Zydeco Band

Lil Malcom – Zydeco Band

R & B Inc. Old School  – R & B

Stoni Taylor & The Miles of Stones -Alternative Rock

Atlanta 17 Orchestra

Seed & Feed Band
An Atlanta Favorite! One of a kind marching band

Zaina Zahra

Zaina Zahra is a professional artist, choreographer and instructor of Middle Eastern and World Dance. She has studied Belly dancing and Indian Classical Dance and has a passionate interest in cultural dances from around the world. It is her belief that everyone is united in dance as it expresses joy form the soul.

salsaBELLES of the ATL

salsaBELLES of the ATL is an all female performance group that dances a traditional Cuban style salsa called Rueda de Casino. We are all about having fun and bringing people together through dance.

KCC Daf Group

The Kurdish Cultural Center (KCC) Daf Group is composed of students and a teacher of the musical instrument Daf. Daf is an ancient Kurdish instrument that is similar to a drum. It is hand held, with small chains on it. It is made with a roundly shaped wood that has animal (goat or sheep) hide stretched across it. KCC offers Daf class every Saturday at 6PM free of charge.

This is just a few of the local bands that will be entertaining folks at the festival in Sept.

Clarkston City Blues Concert and Festival Tickets!

Need both Adult and child tickets?

Paper Tickets will be mailed to your Paypal postal mailing address!
These are paper tickets NOT electronic tickets
NOTE: make sure your Paypal address is updated and correct.
Please allow 7-10 days for tickets to reach you

NOTE: Please DO NOT lose your tickets! - they are non refundable and will not be replaced.

Order early and save 20%!

You can buy your tickets online and save $5 when you buy before Sept 15th!
You can pay by check or credit card via Paypal. Its safe, simple and secure.

How to buy Blues Concert tickets online:

Just click on the button and pay thru Paypal.  Once payment is confirmed we will mail your tickets to you. (please update your current mailing address in your Paypal account – please allow  7-10 days for tickets to reach you by mail)

NOTE: Please DO NOT lose your tickets! - they are non refundable and will not be replaced.

You can also buy tickets OFFLINE just contact the festival staff and we can arrange to get you tickets.

You can Contact us by email info@ClarkstonFestival.com

by phone at 888-789-4830

or by Fax# at 888-501-6334

We are sponsoring an all day blues concert with headliners like:

• Joe Louis Walker
• Kenny Neal
• Janiva Magness
• Theodis Ealey

Along with award winning  local musicians and performers all day long.

Tickets for the Special Clarkston Blues concert are $30 ( $25 in advance)

The Blues concert will be held on Saturday Sept 25 and lasts from 4pm till 9pm

FREE parking and shuttle service from Perimeter College! Just follow the signs to our free parking lots and shuttle pickup spots!

How many new customers could your business use?

During the event you will have the opportunity to elevate your brand and customer base through massive exposure to over 30,000 attendees. Branding, product activation and hospitality opportunities can be customized to increase your market share.

ROI – advertising with a tax deduction

Your business’ return on investment is just as important as your community investment and this years festival gives your business an opportunity to do both as a fully tax deductible support of our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Clarkston City Blues Concert and Festival is being aggressively marketed by nationally recognized marketing firms and international concert promoters.
Benefits of sponsoring the Clarkston city Blues Concert and Festival :

• Exposure to over 30,000 upwardly mobile metro Atlanta residents- This is an exceptional opportunity to reach the sophisticated Metro Atlanta market
• Clear LCD Billboards on 285 and 78 with over a million views per day

• Banners – A minimum of 50 City Street Pole banners, 2’ x 6’, will line Ponce de Leon, Church St. and the N. Indian Creek intersections for a maximum drive-by view by 600,000 cars per week.

• Reach a large audience with repeated impressions: Your company name and/or logo will appear on the event’s advertising and in all promotional materials, include the official festival website.

• A unique opportunity to engage with people: Event attendees are a captive, receptive audience that has time to look, listen and hear about your products and/or services.

• Demonstrate, sample or test market your product: Receive instant responses about your products and/or services from attendees.

• Show your company’s commitment to the arts and local community: The event offers a great way for you to show your commitment to the residents of the Metro Atlanta Area.

Get started growing your customer base Today!

You can get all the details about levels of sponsorship and ways to get involved by downloading the sponsor packet here:

Please review the complete sponsorship options by downloading our Sponsorship Package at www.clarkstonfestival.com to find the best fit for your contribution.
For further information please visit us on the web. www.clarkstonfestival.com
Call Dianne at 404 786 9977 or write us at info@clarkstonfestival.com.

Clarkston City Blues Concert and International Festival Finance and Sponsorship Committee Members:

• Dianne Leonetti, Councilwoman, City of Clarkston, Clarkston Festival Director, Finance Steering Committee  dianne@clarkstonfestival.com, 404-786-9977
• Howard Tygrett, Mayor, City of Clarkston, Georgia, htygrett@cityofclarkston.com
• Jan Riley, Owner, Leadmasters USA, Webmaster and Marketing Director,  www.LeadMastersUSA.com
• H. Lewis McTush, COO, Exec. Board of Directors, Veterans & Community Outreach Foundation Inc.  talent@clarkstonfestival.com lewis.special5@gmail.com, 404-271-0871 Promotions & Marketing: Ph: 888-789-4830,  Fax: 888 501-6334

Gainesville / Clarkston VCOF Veterans & Community Outreach Foundation Inc.
www.vcof.org a (501(c)3 organization umbrella Satellite Office,

• Rev. Victor L. Johnson, CEO & Pres, Founder, VCOF, 996 Athens Hwy. Gainesville, GA. 30501
• Larry Roberts, Chairman of the Board, VCOF, vcof@bellsouth.net, 770-531-0046

Rev. Karl D. Moore, Vice Chairman, Executive VCOF Board of Clarkston, First Baptist Church of Clarkston

The Clarkston Health Collaborative is a forum for interested community members to network and discuss issues such as housing, transportation, police relations, medical availability, race relations, cultural issues etc.

The Clarkston Health Collaborative (CHC) is a community-based entity comprised of private citizens, business owners, agencies in Clarkston, healthcare providers, and representatives from the DeKalb Board of Health and the Atlanta Regional Commission.

It’s all about connecting and communication

Clarkston Health Collaborative

The CHC catalyzes communication and promotes joint work throughout the Clarkston Community. It was formed in an effort to break down barriers that prevent the community from reaching its full potential. The health collaborative seeks to identify initiatives and prepare specific action plans to carry out those initiatives. Through the collaborative, the people of Clarkston and the agencies working with them are creating new associations and attempting to change systems and institutions that support the development of a healthy community.

The mission of the Clarkston Health Collaborative is to establish a platform for community development in order to facilitate meaningful dialogue among diverse individuals and groups so that they may effectively pursue their interests and talents in creating the conditions that foster healthy people in healthy communities. The Clarkston we envision is a vibrant sustainable community where empowered people reach their full potential for health and well being.

Join us

The collaborative meets every fourth Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Clarkston Community Center. All are welcome!

The Clarkston Health Collaborative, facilitated by the DCBOH has addressed community issues such as housing conditions, public safety and health care. You can find them on facebook too.