The VANS WARPED TOUR® is partnering with Blue Water Baltimore for the forthcoming ECO project “Pavement to Prairie.” On Monday, July 25, hundreds of volunteers and artists from the 2011 tour including We Came As Romans, The Narrative, Big D and the Kids Table, Enter Shikari, Winds of Plague, The Dance Party and many more will gather at Baltimore’s Academy for College & Career Exploration. The group will clear concrete and spread soil over 37,000 square feet of ground to create a beautiful urban garden and outdoor classroom for the community to enjoy. In addition, some volunteers will help dig a rain garden and assist in the installation of a 3,000 sq ft environmentally-themed mural. Tour founder Kevin Lyman, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Deputy Director of Blue Water Baltimore Halle Van der Gaag will hold a brief press conference onsite at 11:30 AM ET (see media RSVP info below).
Converting the parking lot into a garden will remove 900,000 gallons of storm water annually–a serious and growing pollution source to local rivers like Jones Falls and the Chesapeake Bay. A major initiative by Blue Water Baltimore, these projects are part of efforts to improve water quality and engage communities in greening efforts that reduce pollution in area waterways thereby improving water quality in tributaries to the Inner Harbor and Chesapeake Bay. This public/private partnership with theCity of Baltimore and all clean water initiatives are significantly important to Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
Local Baltimore artist Michael Owen was commissioned to create the art concept for the 3,000- square ft mural that celebrates clean, healthy urban waters. The environmentally-themed mural will beautify the open space and support education initiatives. At the event on Monday, the Vans Warped Tour volunteers will help paint the mural to complete the installation. For more information on artist Michael Owen visit: http://www.baltimoreloveproject.com/?page_id=4.
The “Pavement to Prairie” project is made possible through funds from the Chesapeake Bay Trust Watershed Restoration Grant.
WHEN:
Monday, July 25th 8:00AM to 2:00PM
Press Conference:
11:30AM Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
11:30AM – 12:30PM Best time for photography and interviews: Media, news crews and photographers are invited to attend and conduct interviews with Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman and Deputy Director of Blue Water Baltimore, Halle Van der Gaag.
WHERE:
Academy for College & Career Exploration
1300 W. 36th Street, Baltimore, MD 21211
For Vans Warped Tour dates: www.vanswarpedtour.com/dates
For tour press releases, visit: http://www.msopr.com/?q=node/77
About the Vans Warped Tour:
The VANS WARPED TOUR® is well established as America’s premiere music and lifestyle festival of the summer, breaking up-and-coming indie talent as well as both creating and showcasing major established artists since 1995. The nationally-renowned festival is the most eclectic traveling tour and features a diverse array of artists–with hotly tipped acts in every genre from punk, metal and indie to rock, hip-hop, rap, electronic, reggae and pop; as well as a variety of lifestyle attractions for its traditionally low ticket price. The tour has cemented its place in history by bringing punk rock/skate/action sports culture from the underground to the forefront of global youth culture, while at the same time helping those in need and being the first tour to consistently use groundbreaking environmental techniques every year on the road. The Warped Eco Initiatives (WEI) range from biodiesel fuel for touring trucks and buses, to environmentally friendly catering for bands and crew courtesy of Tada Catering. There’s even a solar-powered sound system on the Kevin Says Stage and www.vanswarpedtour.com showcases public transportation options for every tour date and carpool social media apps as well as exotic eco travel contests. For more information on the tour that Alternative Press readers voted the “Best Tour/Festival” of 2009/2010 and Rolling Stone called “America’s most successful festival” (2005). Now in its 17th year, the 44-date tour commenced June 24 in Dallas, TX and finishes August 14 in Portland, OR go to: www.vanswarpedtour.com.
About BLUE WATER BALTIMORE:
Blue Water Baltimore is the leader in protecting and advocating for Baltimore’s waterways and works across the metro area to restore and protect our streams, rivers and harbor. Blue Water Baltimore is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the regional urban watershed which feeds into the Chesapeake Bay.
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