Vibes for Vets

A Benefit Concert Series for our Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

With all the negative news stories abound these days (sagging economy, exploding gas prices…), it’s refreshing to know that there are still people in our community that believe in doing something positive – and acting on it!

Starting Friday, June 20, 2008, V!BE Entertainment presents benefit concerts at Riverside’s Castle Park, where Southland Original Music Artists will join together for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

When confronted with disturbing facts that we feel powerless to change, many of us prefer to sidestep them altogether. This coping mechanism is exactly what is happening with our awareness of our country’s newest generation of veterans. Their deployments in these prolonged and complex conflicts have become a sensitive and often uncomfortable topic that we aim to bring back into focus. That is why V!BE Entertainment, local Original Music Artists, and Riverside’s Castle Park have joined together to raise money for IAVA.

Founded in June 2004, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the first and largest nonprofit, non-partisan veterans organization dedicated to improving the lives of the 1.7 million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, as well as their families. The first and largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans group in America, IAVA has thousands of active member veterans and over 90,000 grassroots supporters nationwide. With Iraq veteran Paul Rieckhoff as the Executive Director, IAVA has been instrumental in pushing legislation for improved mental health and education benefits, as well as pushing to keep American troops and veterans in the nation’s consciousness.

For more information about Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America please visit www.IAVA.org. Their current campaign is for a New GI Bill. For additional information about efforts to get the legislation through Congress, please visit www.GIBill2008.org.

It doesn’t matter if you’re for or against the war, liberal or conservative, blue or red – our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and husbands and wives who serve on our behalf deserve our acknowledgment and support!

George Washington had it right when he said, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive how the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”

Let’s all join together and reconnect with American pride by supporting a vital segment of our population that cannot and should not be forgotten – Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families.

“VIBES FOR VETS” BENEFIT CONCERT DETAILS

Affordable fun for the entire family while supporting our Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and their families, and the Southland’s Original Musical Artists.

Join us outside under the stars at the Inland Empire’s favorite family attraction, Castle Park, for a fun filled evening of live entertainment in an effort to raise money for IAVA.

On the 3rd Friday of every month, starting Friday June 20, 2008, the “V!BES FOR VETS” concert series launches with three original Latin Influenced Jazz and Rock bands performing at 6:30 pm, 7:50 and 9:10 pm.

Each month will host a different genre of music, providing a musical feast to suit nearly everyone’s tastes throughout the series. We’ll present Latin, R&B, Southern Rock, Jazz, Pop…offering up a veritable schmorgazborg of original music that falls outside the cookie-cutter songs played on most radio stations. The series schedule, artists’ web links, and IAVA video and web links can be found at www.vibeentertainment.com.

A maximum of 1,000 tickets will be sold at the door on a first come, first serve basis until sold out. Whether patrons choose to set up their blankets and beach chairs on the grass, or use one of the 68 shaded picnic tables, this relaxed and inviting setting lends itself to a night of enjoyment with the added benefit of supporting our American veterans.

Tickets are an affordable $20, with children under 12 years of age free!! ½ off ride pass coupons will be provided with ticket purchase (up to 6 per group). Beer, wine and even picnic meals will be available. Entrance into the park is free, and parking is $6 per vehicle.

Kids can enjoy the park rides while parents enjoy the music knowing they can come and go to check on the kids or go on a ride or two themselves.

It’s not only a great way to spend an evening, but also a wonderful way to reconnect with American pride by supporting our Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and their families.