VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTOR STORY: EYE ON MUSIC

MAMAPALOOZA-WOMEN WHO ROCK
by Hillary Roberts, Founder, Project Linus NJ, Inc.

Do you know a gal who's a little bit Martha Stewart and a whole lotta Rod Stewart? Meet the women of Mamapalooza!

Founded in 2002 by Joy Rose, lead singer of the band, Housewives on Prozac, Mamapalooza is dedicated to empowering women musicians, artists, poets, comics, dancers and filmmakers to pursue their creative dreams.

Moms Who Rock headlined the first underground Mamapalooza performance at The Cutting Room, NYC with cookie jar money and a handful of dedicated Mom-Musicians. The unique format caught city-wide attention and today, dozens of of female artists have joined the Mamapalooza organization across the globe.

The women of Mamapalooza

With greater media exposure and new artists signing on MAMA has taken a closer look a charitable pursuits. As a lupus survivor, Joy Rose, realizes the greater potential in cross promoting the Mama organization while bringing community awareness to the Alliance for Lupus Research. A natural extension of performance art; Mamapalooza promotes musical venues under the agency moniker by partnering with ALR walkathon events around the country.

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Mamapalooza is a cooperative endeavor, that highlights the challenges of motherhood in ever-evolving social, political and personal landscapes. It recognizes the growing awareness of moms: Their personal power and their power as consumers and constituents.
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Several upcoming MAMA concerts in support of ALR research include:

Marble Top Box; Releigh, NC
Contact: Shelby Brewer for Marble Top Box (919) 362-3749
Contact: Stephanie Chapman - ALR (813) 258-5816

Merry & The Mood Swings/3 Kisses; Austin, Dallas
Contact: Mary or Tish
Contact: Eddie Nichols for ALR (520) 888-3096

What's next for Mamapalooza? Recently they established the Motherhood Foundation to celebrate women in the arts and as a primary producer for Mamapalooza national Festivals. The long term goals of the Motherhood Foundation include annual charity events and a Museum Of Motherhood by 2011.

No doubt the triple threat of talents, brains and braun place Mamapalooza among the hottest, all-female entertainment organizations making their sizable mark on the industry!

If you are interested in hiring a band, working with MAMA on a charity event or joining the organization contact Joy Rose, Executive Producer for more information.

Visit Mamapalooza for a comprehensive list of MOMs Who Rock and downloadable audio clips.

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Hillary Roberts is the founder of Project Linus NJ, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing handmade blankets and hand crafted toys to children suffering serious illness and trauma from birth to seventeen. Hillary also has a passion for music.