PARADE of LIGHTS at Prescott Promenade

2012 PARADE of LIGHTS at Prescott Promenade 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm 

Downtown El Cajon 92020 

See Santa From 5 to 8 pm at the Prescott Promenade (Main & Sulzfeld) 

Have your picture taken with Santa ($5.00) OR Bring a new unwrapped toy for the Salvation Toy Drive and receive a FREE photo with Santa

See an array of holiday decorated classic cars and motorcycles as they parade down Main Street (5 pm)

Decorated vehicles compete for awards - BRING YOURS !!!

Vehicle owners can participate in our Holiday Poker Walk for prizes

Visit our merchant Open Houses.

Participate in merchant passport for prizes

PLUS…

Christmas Carolers – Live Music - Dance groups perform -DJ

Super slide for the kids, vendors, and much more.

For further information call Downtown El Cajon Promenade District at 

619-334-3000.

City of El Cajon 100 Year Centennial

Free family fun! Join the City of El Cajon as we honor and celebrate 100 years of people who make El Cajon the Valley of Opportunity on Monday, November 12, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  A very special opening ceremony will begin 10 a.m. just outside City Hall with Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, a former Marine, leading a “Salute to Our Veterans.” At the Opening Ceremony the area will be dedicated as “Centennial Plaza” and a ommemorative granite medallion will be unveiled with the Centennial Logo on the corner of East Main Street and Sulzfeld Way.

The festivities will fill the heart of downtown El Cajon with complete street closures of East Main Street from Magnolia through Claydelle Avenues along with Rea Avenue. Two stages will host live entertainment all day including community performing groups and local bands. Over forty exhibit booths will line the streets with a wide variety of interactive and historical displays and free kids crafts. The Closing Celebration will begin at 5 p.m. on the Prescott Promenade Stage with a live band and an El Cajon Birthday Celebration with ice cream sandwiches, glow sticks  and El Cajon bracelets, all free!

How to Win the Taylor Guitar: A major highlight of the day will be the opportunity drawing at 5 p.m. where one lucky winner will receive a one-of-a-kind Taylor Guitar! To enter, each participant must complete the El Cajon Passport, which can be found at the entrances and the information booth. This Passport is filled with historical facts about our City and can be used to guide you through the day’s event.  Visit all of the interactive exhibitor booths listed in the Passport.  At each stop you will receive a stamp unique to the booth you visited.  Once you have visited all of the booths shown in the passport, go to the Taylor Guitars booth where you will receive your final stamp and entry ticket for the opportunity drawing. One winner will receive a custom designed Taylor Guitar!   Supplies are limited; arrive early. Enjoy a full day of FREE Family Fun and… REMEMBER, YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!

You don’t want to miss this historic event with:

-Taylor Guitar Drawing Free to enter

-Jimmie Johnson’s #48 show car

-Two Outdoor Stages with Live Entertainment

-Cowboy Boot Camp, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo

-Rock Climbing Wall and Free Crafts for Kids

-Market Place and Fabulous Food

-Vintage Trains and Automobiles
-Plus so Much more

Schedule of Events

November 12, 2012 

9:45 a.m. Opening Processional leading to the Centennial Plaza Stage

Location: Rea Avenue to City Hall

Procession will include the following community groups: Boy Scouts, El Cajon Queen’s Court, El Cajon Recreation Tiny Tots Program, Senior Softball and Youth Sports, El Cajon Police Department’s Vintage Car, El Cajon Fire Department’s Fire Truck, Mother Goose, Lions Club Centennial Cake Float and Leo’s. The East County Youth Symphony will be playing.

10:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony Begins Location: Centennial Plaza Stage, Outside City Hall. Beginning with a very special “Salute to Our Veterans,” lead by Congressman Duncan D. Hunter and the Navy Color Guard, the Opening Ceremony will include a dedication of the area as “Centennial Plaza,” and the unveiling of the new granite medallion on the corner of East Main Street and Sulzfeld Way. The City of El Cajon’s Public Information Officer, Monica Zech will be the Master of Ceremonies and a special Centennial Message will be presented from City Council.

10:50 a.m. Unveiling of the Centennial Medallion Location: Corner of East Main Street and Sulzfeld Way. City Council will participate in unveiling the granite Centennial Medallion inlay. 

11:00 a.m. Prescott Promenade Stage Opens with Live Music Tom Hiatt & The Sundowners. Centennial Plaza Stage hosts live community entertainment until 4:00 p.m.  beginning with the East CountyYouth Symphony.

11:40 a.m. California NoteCatchers at the Centennial Plaza Stage

12:00 p.m. Sue Palmer Band at the Prescott Promenade Stage

12:15 p.m. St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center Performers at the Centennial Plaza Stage

12:35 p.m. La Fiesta Del Pueblo Ballet Folklorico at the Centennial Plaza Stage

1:15 p.m. El CajonHistorical Society Third Grade Essay Contest Winners at the Centennial Plaza Stage

1:30 p.m. Back to the Garden at Prescott Promenade Stage

1:45 p.m. Eric Running Path at the Centennial Plaza Stage

2:25 p.m. Middle Eastern Performers at the Centennial Plaza Stage

2:30 p.m. World Record Breaking number of wheelchair bound people dancing in one area

Prescott Promenade Stage

3:00 p.m. The SoulPersuaders at the Prescott Promenade Stage

3:20 p.m. Valley Twirlers at the Centennial Plaza Stage

4:00 p.m. TNT Performing Company at the Centennial Plaza Stage

4:30 p.m. Closing Ceremony Begins with a Cajon Speedway Stock Car Racers Reunion.  

5:00pm. Opportunity drawing for a Centennial Taylor Guitar, “I AM EL CAJON” bracelet give-away, free ice cream, unveiling the Centennial Jimmie Johnson banner.

5:00 p.m. The MightyUntouchables at the Prescott Promenade Stage (Closing Band)

HauntFest on Main in El Cajon California

Friday October 26th 2012 5 pm to 10 pm

 

HauntFest on Main is an exciting new family friendly event in Downtown El Cajon. The event features over 25 Bands on Six Stages, Costume Contests, Carnival Rides, Car Show, Trunk or Treat, Laser Tag, a Haunted Studio, Gourmet Food Trucks, A Beer Garden, Wine, Food and Beer Tasting, Gallery Walk, Juried Art Show, Restaurant Specials, Merchant Coupons, Passport Prizes and a Taylor Guitar Giveaway. Proceeds from the event will benefit Sophie's Gallery, a program of St. Madeleine Sophie's Center.

Live Entertainment

KPRI Promenade Stage 

4:30pm to 5:30pm  Paul Cannon Band           http://youtu.be/cQI_M7Vsx6E 
5:30pm to 7:30pm  Eve Selis                       http://youtu.be/rZhi93WpY6o
7:30pm to 10pm     80z All Stars                  http://youtu.be/XjLfRd8cNDg

Rock Rea Stage

5pm  Roni Lee Group                                  http://youtu.be/HEBUwJWsOAY

6pm  One Eighty                                        http://youtu.be/vnkLRHgxW8Y     

7pm  Black Market III                                 http://youtu.be/Th4B8NpEoWk

8pm  The Farmers                                      http://youtu.be/TnOR14M_8ns

9pm  Trailerpark Rockstar                           http://youtu.be/hEWJFIHQFk0

El Cajon Brewing Stage

5pm  Shyla Day                                         http://youtu.be/RokMTtXEXz4    

530   Ryan Hiller                                        http://youtu.be/_N9JLJw87uk

6pm  Joseph Stevens                                 http://youtu.be/-Xdf4Tu2Ph8 

630   Rob Deez                                          http://youtu.be/y0I8LljZ5HI  

7pm  Mr Rich McGee                                   http://youtu.be/Zcz_Nw4YnSQ

730   Peter Kenvin of The Voices (Acoustic)   http://youtu.be/9G6OoGZTYlY

8pm  Sara Groban                                      http://youtu.be/gYRP3dqoETo

830   Roxy King                                          http://youtu.be/NnUl7Ni5BR8 

9pm  Celia St Croix                                     http://youtu.be/H1t5U4XlbN8

9:30  Isaac Cheong                                    http://youtu.be/_HUfR4fUNLI

Alley Cat Stage Beer Garden

5pm to 7:30pm Chickenbone Slim and The Biscuits http://youtu.be/WjjAQ6KuxYA

7:30pm to 10pm Robin Henkel with Horns Band      http://youtu.be/4S79sDdsV6M

Olaf Wieghorst Stage

5pm to 7:30pm       The Clone Ponies           http://youtu.be/WKaWQVQyvYQ
7:30pm to 10pm      Plow                            http://youtu.be/yK5jxepfYkU

Art Galley Stage

5pm to 10pm

acoustic acts 

Plus Local El Cajon Stages
Silver Creek Fine Art Gallery & Custom Framing   Marie Haddad
Glamour Girls Boutique                                    Paul Nichols
Downtown Cafe                                              Good Mojo Rock & Roll Dance Band

Carnival Rides

Enjoy fun family rides from Carnival Entertainment/Party Rental World, including the Dragon Wagon, Pumpkin Slide, Bungee, Berry-Go-Round, Monster House, Swing ride (pictured) and carnival style games.

Laser Tag

Laser Tag is back, and now it's on exciting outdoor courses. Pick your team and enjoy the action created for you by Equinox Laser Tag.

Trunk or Treat

Bring the kids out for a safe night of 'trunk or treating'. Visit all of the beautiful classic and custom cars to receive candy* from the owners. Don't forget to wear your costume and bring your bag to carry all that candy home.

Wine and Beer Walk
$20 presale $25 day of event, you can taste wine and beer from local wineries, breweries along with food from local restaurants.

Passport will guide you to each location so to enjoy music and shopping along the way. The passport can be turned in for a chance to win fabulous prizes.

Beer Gardens

If the Wine and Beer tasting isn't for you then just relax in one of the two beer gardens available. Enjoy music at El Cajon Brewing stage, Alley Cat Beer Garden stage, KPRI's Promenade Stage, Olaf Wieghorst Stage or the Rock Stage on Rea as you enjoy your favorite brew and Grommet Food Truck. 

Food Trucks

 

Haunted Studio

Rubio's Performing Arts presents

Rubio's Rockin' House of Terror

with a Haunted Studio, Live Music and Dance Performances

Great for all ages.

237 East Main Street, El Cajon

$5 at the Door

All Proceeds go to "Arms Wide Open"

Costume Contest

Wear your best costume and enter to win great prizes

Kid's Costume Contest  

7:00 pm on the Promenade Stage Up to $350 in prizes

Adult Costume Contest

9:00 pm at the Promenade Stage $5 to enter

$100 CASH for Scariest Costume

$100 CASH for Funniest Costume

$100 CASH for Best Couples Costume

$250 CASH for Best Overall

Art Show

Bountiful Art A Juried Exhibition at Sophie’s Gallery during Gallery Walk

$3000 in prizes

Judged By Amy Galpin – Project Curator for

American Art San Diego Museum of Art

Prizes

Best of Show: $700 + Solo Exhibition

Second Place: $500

Third Place: $400

Mayor’s Choice: $300

11 Category Merit Awards: 

Sculpture Merit Award $100 

Oil painting Merit Award $100 

Watercolor Merit Award $100 

Acrylic Merit Award $100 

Mixed Media Merit Award $100 

Photography Merit Award $100 

Textile Merit Award $100 

Glass Merit Award $100 

Etching & Print-Making Merit Award $100 

Pastel Merit Award $100 

Jewelry Merit Award $100

Art Walk

Enjoy art exhibits in local El Cajon galleries and businesses.

Participating locations include:

Home & Soul

Guitar & Bass Land

Know House Museum 

Main Street 5 Gallery 

Olaf Wieghorst Museum & Western Heritage Center 

The Rich Artist Studio - Denise Rich 

Silver Creek Fine Art & Custom Framing 

White Sage Gallery

Promenade District 329 East Main Street, El Cajon, 
CA 92020 619-334-3000 www.downtownelcajon.com
St. Madeleine Sophie's Center 2119 East Madison Avenue, El Cajon, CA
 92019 619-442-5129 www.stmsc.org

Live Entertainment 3857 Violet Street La Mesa 
Ca 91941 619-750-3355 www.sdlivent.com

Harbor Days 2012 at Chula Vista Marina

Located in the Chula Vista Marina

2 day outdoor event on 3 stages
Music times and schedules listed below       

Saturday Sept 22nd    10am to 5pm

Sunday   Sept  23rd    11am to 4pm

Free Entrance to all Entertainment

Band can sell there band Merchandise 

Port Stage

One hour set includes on and off stage time

Band can sell Merch

Saturday Sept 22nd

10am Sara Groban             http://youtu.be/X5yl0c8YK8I

11am Kitty Plague             http://youtu.be/OjJ1uKWCNGc

12pm KNG MKR                 http://youtu.be/0ZXorbOmqxA

1pm  So*Cal Vibes            http://youtu.be/H4FlS80aG_g

2pm  One Eighty               http://youtu.be/vnkLRHgxW8Y

3pm  Roni Lee Group         http://youtu.be/jXxvDqF92Ws

4pm  Trailerpark Rockstar   http://youtu.be/hEWJFIHQFk0

Sunday Sept 23rd

11am Vicious Phishes        http://youtu.be/mnT4x-nIJ2I

12pm Foghead                  http://youtu.be/Ln0bP4gl5QM

1pm  Sunny Rude              http://youtu.be/V8JOXfDWQLk

2pm Cathouse Thursday     http://youtu.be/gYRD6sp_4Ag
3pm Locked Out Of Eden    http://youtu.be/StwNuCVAJIY 

BayFair 2012 Band Lineup with Video

Located on the east end of Vacation Island in Mission Bay San Diego

3 day outdoor event on the Main Stage
Music times and schedules listed below 
Friday Sept 14th       1pm to 10pm

Saturday Sept 15th   1pm to 10pm

Sunday Sept 16th    10am to 3pm

Free Entrance to the Entertainment and Vendor Area

Band can sell there band Merchandise 

Big Stage Fri Sept 14th
Time Band Name
1pm Vicious Phishes                            http://youtu.be/mnT4x-nIJ2I
2pm KNG MKR                                     http://youtu.be/0ZXorbOmqxA
3pm Leanna May and the Matadors        http://youtu.be/8ziGgn1SF_o

4pm Talk Like June                              http://youtu.be/C4bcrtO_mmU
5pm FX5                                            http://youtu.be/Tt6he4FuFJY 
6pm Cathouse Thursday                       http://youtu.be/gYRD6sp_4Ag

9pm One Eighty                                  http://youtu.be/vnkLRHgxW8Y

Big Stage Sat Sept 15th
Time Band Name
1pm Chocolate Revolution                    http://youtu.be/NRpX77QbZIs
1:45pm King Legend                            http://youtu.be/7tRnN1Vdz8U
2:30pm Country Rockin Rebels              http://youtu.be/tpfwgCZeDH4
3:15pm CARPENTER                             http://youtu.be/oVRc4OtYbzg

415pm Roni Lee Group                         http://youtu.be/HZLpHMT6CVo

(special appearance Mr. Rich McGee)      http://youtu.be/Zcz_Nw4YnSQ
5pm RAGGABOND                                http://youtu.be/a73-FkZ2Xrw
6pm So*Cal Vibes                               http://youtu.be/H4FlS80aG_g

7:30pm StoneBreed                             http://youtu.be/9CD3XRoVxgY

9pm Trailerpark Rockstar                      http://youtu.be/hEWJFIHQFk0

Big Stage Sun Sept 16th
Time Band Name
10am Sara Groban Band                       http://youtu.be/X5yl0c8YK8I
10:45am Mad Traffic                            http://youtu.be/qJu9WHo-0wI
11:30am League of Liars                      http://youtu.be/fzPQ5OuMcXE

12:30pm Bart Mendoza and True Stories http://youtu.be/bEjcFafmgbg
1pm Locked Out Of Eden                      http://youtu.be/StwNuCVAJIY
2pm Mercedes Moore Band                    http://youtu.be/lkQddx5lwWY

The Voice of Humanity

Fereshta Story

Writing songs for her debut solo album in Los Angeles, CA since 2008, Fereshta is an indie rock artist in the style of Alanis Morissette, Heather Nova and Nico Vega.
Born in war-torn Afghanistan, Fereshta's parents fled prosecution with a baby Fereshta in their arms, and hope and determination in their hearts. They journeyed to Pakistan in hopes of one day reaching America. Sponsored by a Baptist church in New York, Fereshta and her family began a new life in Virginia, where she soon found healing and inspiration in rock n' roll. "I was moved deeply by the level of passion and self-expression so beautifully embodied by the genre."
A natural poet, she began to combine her words with the music she loves so much. Her lyrics speak to the human experience, to the emotions we all have and the journey we all share, with a message of compassion and unity. "I believe music in its greatest form and expression is the voice of humanity. It can powerfully move our hearts and heal us." Ferestha is currently cutting a new album (CD) with 2011 Grammy Award winning producer/engineer Alan Sanderson, in Rio De Janeiro Brazil using the best studio musicians Brazil has to offer. Mastering will take place at Universal Mastering with Senior Mastering Engineer and 2010 Grammy winner Eric Labson slated for the project. Look for release sometime in Spring of 2012., Fereshta aims to heal the divide between her two beloved nations. Combining her deep love of music with her passion for sacred activism, Fereshta aims to support her homelands through peaceful dialogue and benefit shows.
"I have a profound view straddling the cultural fence. I want to make a stand for these two incredible nations. They share so many of the same values and carry many of the same hopes and dreams for their lives and the lives of their children. I can see very clearly where the misunderstandings are, and I intend to participate proactively in the unification our human family.""
A portion of the proceeds from her CD release party and record sales will benefit girls' education via the building of schools in Afghanistan through the Central Asia Institute (www.ikat.org).

The Journey Out of Afghanistan

My parents grew up in a very different Afghanistan than the one we see now on the news. The women wore European fashions, short skirts, tank tops, jewelry and were able to go to school, to work, to speak up and be heard. My mom played on the women's basketball team at her university while she was pregnant with me. My father and his buddies would strap their eastern instruments to the backs of their motorcycles, and head out to where the European youth were enjoying their holidays. They would jam together, the children of the east finding rhythms that worked with their harmoniums, tablas and rababs, while the hippie children would fly in their acoustic guitars to incorporate the west.
It was a time of freedom and discovery in Afghanistan. The country was moving towards a democracy in the 1960's and 70's. Westernized clothing, music and movies were all mainstream and very much enjoyed and appreciated. It was the golden era under the Shah.
Then the country too it a tragic turn. The King was overthrown during a coup. Then the new president was killed during another coup. And the new president Hafizullah Amin, a Communist, brought in the Soviets to help control his military and his people.
In the late 1970's, Soviet tanks arrived in Kabul. Curfews and other restrictions were placed on the people. An attempt to bring Marxist-Leninist reforms to the country proved unpopular. For a population immersed in tradition and Islam, changes made to their marriage customs and land ownership created widespread resistance. Moscow, irritated by the display of nationalism and independence, took over the country. In December of 1979 the Soviets began their invasion of Afghanistan.
The Soviets gave you three options: join the Communist party, go to jail or be killed. The situation in Afghanistan became so dangerous for my family that we had no choice but to leave. My mom, an educated and strong-willed woman, who spoke up fiercely against the new regime, was now being targeted by the government. Every day at my father's job, a government car would pull up and call out 2-3 names and take those folks away for questioning. Anyone who left with these government officials was never seen again. My father watched as his friend was called from the volleyball field at lunchtime to go with these officials. He never saw his friend again and knew that one day soon they would be calling his name. During this time, two of my mother's brothers were also imprisoned for refusing to join the Communist party. The threat of death or imprisonment was hanging over both of them, and they had a small child to protect.
With daily violence and threats abound, my parents decided to leave their homeland in hopes of creating a better life for our family and better opportunities for me. Most of our family members did not know we were leaving. My mom and dad told their parents they may be leaving because of the situation they were both in. My grandfather encouraged my parents to leave because he knew something terrible was going to happen to us if we didn't. 

My grandfather, through his connections, knew someone who knew someone who knew someone that could smuggle us to Pakistan. We weren't allowed to take too many things as we were going through a smuggling route by bus and truck. My parents took a few items of clothing, food and supplies for me, and left everything else behind. My parents locked the door to their house, said their tearful goodbyes to their parents and left everything they had known their entire lives. They handed a large sum of money to a stranger in hopes of getting smuggled to Pakistan. There were no guarantees and no way of knowing if we would make it alive. The Soviets and the mujaheddin did not allow families to leave. The Soviets wanted to recruit Kabulites for their skills and the mujaheddin didn't want everyone leaving their country. One person could go, but had to leave the rest of the family and their property behind as proof that they would be back. The only way an entire family could leave, was to through this dangerous smuggling route.
We paid half the money up front, to a stranger, then a second amount of money for the 2nd stranger. To show the checkpoint mujaheddin that we were uneducated poor people, my parents pretended to be shopkeepers from another region on our way to a family wedding. We couldn't look pristine Kabulites, so my mom bought her first burqa and learned how to wear it, while my father let his bear grow and purchased the provincial tribal wear of a peasant region. They had to trade in their jeans and miniskirts for tribal wear, to take on the identity of another region and ethnicity. They put me in more peasant-like dress as well so we wouldn't be targeted by the Soviets as Kabulites.
It was supposed to take a day and a half to get to Pakistan, but it took eight long days instead. We were ready to go, but because there was a family of 10-15 people coming along with us, and because it was safer to go with another family, we had to wait for a bigger bus.
The journey was scary, we didn't know where we were going or if we'd even make it. We'd heard horror stories of people giving money to smugglers and getting killed on the side of the road. Others were killed by Soviet choppers, or by renegade mujaheddin. Some of the roads were cliff side and dangerous. And there was always the threat of death from either side of the war. We only stopped after midnight for a few hours to sleep and eat some bread and tea. Otherwise we drove all day and most of the nights, with the headlights out on the bus for safety. Before daylight we were back on the road, taking routes that were known to be relatively vacant. We stayed with some gypsies on two stops and stayed in vacant buildings we found along the way.
On the night we were being handed off to another smuggler, we sat in the desert, in the pitch black of night and prayed that our new bus and driver would soon arrive. In the pale moonlight, we saw the outline of a bus, bouncing towards us, kicking up dust clouds in its wake. During one of those nights, there were three Soviet helicopters surveying, fully armed and always ready to fire down on “traitors” in the area. My parents and I, along with the other 15 family members that were with us, pressed our backs against a roofless silo wall, and just prayed that the Soviet chopper's searchlights would not find us. My father told my mom, “If they see us and begin to land, you and Fereshta run and don't look back.” By some incredible miracle, they did not see us that night and we continued on our journey. 

At all the mujaheddin checkpoints, my parents used their Pashto skills to befriend the soldiers (aka. freedom fighters). They knew they would instantly be trusted by speaking the mother tongue of the mujaheddin. At one checkpoint the soldiers were suspicious of a woman who said her husband had died four years prior and had a two year-old son. They asked my mom to frisk her for money or valuable belongs, and when my mom did, she felt a big wad of money strapped to her shaking chest. The lady froze, grabbed my mom's hand over her chest and implored her with her eyes. My mom knew this money was all she had to start a new life with her child in Pakistan. It broke her heart to see the obvious plea in that woman's eyes. She told the soldiers that she found nothing of value on the woman and they believed her.
On another day, during a dangerous pass on the road, the smugglers asked the men to get off the bus and walk the mile, while the women and children stayed on board. It was a narrow pass on a dirt road overlooking a cliff and there were stories abound of smugglers running off with the women and children while leaving the men in the dust. My father was having none of it, so while the other men were exiting the bus, my father sneaked away and climbed on top of the bus. He chose riding the dangerous pass from the roof of the bus, where he could be there to protect us if need be over walking the mile with the other men.
At another checkpoint, the mujaheddin were suspicious of my dad. Despite us wearing tribal attire and trying our best to look poor, they saw something in our demeanor that made them thing we might be from Kabul. They asked my father to get off the bus for questioning, and as he stood up, he took his id card out of his pocket and slipped it to my mom. He and my mom knew they would kill us if they knew we were Kabulites so she took his id card and buried it in the canister filled with milk powder they had for me. They interrogated him, and he stuck to his story of being a poor shopkeeper and since he only had prayer beads on his person, they believed him and let him go.
We made it to Pakistan eight days later, and to America fourteen months later when a church in New York sponsored our asylum. My parents secretly taught English to other Afghan refugees who were hopeful of reaching America. The night of our departure to New York, a group of men came to our door and kidnapped my father. They drove him tied up and blindfolded for two hours to a warehouse where they interrogated him and figured out he was the wrong guy. They drove him back just in time for our flight to New York and we made it to America.

Prologue:
Through the years we have lost many family members to the war in Afghanistan. Many wanted to stay. Many believed things would get better. This has not been the case.
We've lost family members to bombings, some as young as age seven. We've lost them to shrapnel lodging in their bodies and killing them because hospitals were not available. We lost them to prisons, killings and post traumatic stress. But we have not given up hope.
Our motherland may be Afghanistan, but the motherland that adopted us and allowed us to have a safe and privileged life is America. We want to help support the safety, prosperity and peace of both nations through our own unique gifts.
My parents continue to be an inspiration to me and to those who hear their story. After all we've suffered and gone through, we are determined now more than ever to ignite the hearts of others and bring awareness to our common humanity and to support peaceful dialogue through music and activism. 

Review by Alex Henderson

Artist: Fereshta
Album: Global Citizen
When a singer/songwriter is born in Afghanistan, has an album titled Global Citizen and describes herself as “the voice of humanity,” one could easily assume that she is providing some type of new age/world music blend (perhaps something along the lines of Enya, but with more of an eastern or Middle Eastern influence). Someone who hasn’t read Fereshta’s publicity bio in its entirety and hasn’t actually listened to Global Citizen might jump to that conclusion, but in fact, this 2011 release is far from new age. Fereshta, an Afghan native who has spent most of her life in the United States, is very much an alternative rocker. Some of her lyrics have a spiritual outlook, but musically, Fereshta is by no means an Afghan version of Enya. Global Citizen is much edgier and more aggressive, sometimes venturing into alternative hard rock territory.
Fereshta’s bio compares her to Heather Nova, Alanis Morissette and Nico Vega, which are valid comparisons to a degree, as is Tracy Bonham. But it would be a mistake to think that all of Fereshta’s influences are female. She has male influences as well, including Jimi Hendrix and Cream. Global Citizen is relevant to post-1980s alternative rock, but there is an awareness of classic rock as well on this 2011 release.
Global Citizen gets off to an aggressive and hard-rocking but melodic start with “Amends,” which contains a guitar riff that is somewhere between grunge and old- school hard rock. Although the riff on doesn’t sound like something one would find on a Morissette release, the song’s lyrics are comparable to the angry-young-woman feeling of Morissette’s 1995 breakthrough album, Jagged Little Pill. But most of the time, Global Citizen isn’t an angry album, and takes a spiritual, mystical turn on “Motherland,” “Free My Heart” and the somewhat funky title track. Fereshta also brings some funk to the infectious “Body Heat,” which is relevant to both alternative hard rock and funk-rock. “Body Heat” contains elements of Nirvana and Seattle grunge as well as sounds of Kravitz’ more hard-rocking songs ( “Are You Gonna Go My Way”).
Fereshta brings a great deal of blues feeling to this album. None of the songs have a traditional 12-bar blues structure, but Fereshta is certainly bluesy on “Wonderlust,” “Real Man,” “Dance the Dance” and the moody, somewhat psychedelic “Tombstones.” All of those songs are examples of how an artist can be bluesy without actually playing the blues. Although she doesn’t inundate listeners with world music elements, the world influence is definitely there at times. The haunting “Untie My Hands,” for example, has been influenced by Indian music. The tune is alternative rock, but has a definite Indian influence. Similarly, “Human Frailty” has both alterna-rock appeal and Middle Eastern appeal.
The most adult alternative-sounding track is clearly the laid-back “Warm, Gentle Breeze,” which wouldn’t be out of place on an album by Jewel, Sarah McLachlan or Natalie Imbruglia. Most of Global Citizen rocks harder than “Warm, Gentle Breeze,” but that track is very much in the adult alternative/Triple-A vein, and Fereshta sings as convincingly on “Warm, Gentle Breeze” as she does on the more aggressive offerings.
Review by James Moore
Artist: Fereshta
Album: Global Citizen
"I believe music in its greatest form and expression can be the voice of humanity and powerfully move and heal our hearts." - Fereshta
I happen to agree with this sentiment. A sentiment that has very much been forgotten in our modern age of karaoke talent shows and instant gratification.
This morning I found myself unexpectedly grooving to some of the best rock n' roll I've heard in quite some time. And I listen to a LOT of independent artists. This lift off was courtesy of a very exciting new artist, Fereshta, who has a story, a purpose, and something to sing about. I'll repeat that. This artist has something to sing about. I know that in a world of Justin Bieber's, Katy Perry's and Jersey Shore's, we have grown resistant to and in some ways hesitant to accept real content, but let's hope the tides are changing again, as they did in the 60's and the early 90's. We are certainly due for it. And if we are, Fereshta will be riding one of the high waves.
Originally hailing from Afghanistan and overcoming a series of adversities before escaping with her family and making her way to New York, Fereshta grew up heavily inspired by American rock music. This is not at all a bad thing. As I was listening to the stellar track "Amends", I was trying to recall the last time I heard a genuinely good Hendrix influence seamlessly mixed with modern rock. She manages to do this successfully where so many other artists fall flat. Her band knows exactly when to play and when to give her space. And for good reason, because she has charisma to spare. Her vocals are unique, cheeky and filled with a swagger reminiscent of Yeah Yeah Yeahs vocalist Karen O.
I'm both surprised and excited that rock n' roll this inspired and purposeful is coming from such a unique artist who by all accounts should be rising fast. Fereshta comes HIGHLY recommended to fans of artists like The Black Keys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs or PJ Harvey.
Global Citizen is a record that deserves attention from both the underground and mainstream press. So long as there is conflict in the world it is comforting to know there are musical artists like Fereshta that will sing of the injustices in the world.
Check her out here: http://www.fereshta.com