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The cream of Canberra’s music scene will gather on Saturday night for a special night of live music to support children’s education in Bangladesh.

Local rock favourites such as Sunchaser & the Wayward Orchestra, Manilla Green and Starfish Hill, along with acoustic acts such as Mog, Eileen Francisco and Phill Wohlers will join forces for a great night of entertainment at The Basement in Belconnen to raise money for Plan International’s work helping rural children in Bangladesh access quality education.

The event has been organised by prominent Canberra musician Jason Campbell-Smith, frontman for Sunchaser & the Wayward Orchestra and recipient of the 2008 Songwriter of the Year award from the Australian Songwriter’s Association.

Campbell-Smith has been sponsoring a child from Honduras through Plan since 2008. He recently joined Friends of Plan Canberra, a group that supports Plan’s work with children and their communities throughout the world. Campbell-Smith soon realised his contacts in the music scene could help to raise awareness of Plan’s work.

“I’m passionate about the musical talent that we have here in Canberra,” Campbell-Smith said. “But I’m also passionate about using the privileges that we have to make a difference for others.

“I’m psyched about working with Plan on an event that not only highlights the Canberra music scene but also reaches out across the globe to help children and communities overcome poverty. It's going to be a fun night out for sure!”

Canberra native Penny Jones has recently returned from Haiti, where she has been working for Plan International as part of the response to January’s devastating earthquake. Previously she worked for Plan in East Timor.

“After being away for most of the past five years, it’s wonderful to return to my home town and discover not only a vibrant music scene, but a real enthusiasm to support communities in the developing world through organisations such as Plan,” Ms Jones said.

“I hope that heaps of people get down to the Basement on Saturday and show their support for our local musicians and help raise some funds to help rural children in Bangladesh gain access to quality education.”

• Interviews available with Penny Jones, Jason Campbell-Smith and all artists. Contact information below.

Find out more about Plan's work in Bangladesh. 

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Details:

What: A Night At The Basement, acoustic and rock performances from nine acts across two stages.

When: Saturday, May 29, from 7pm

Where: The Basement, 2 Cohen Street, Belconnen

Tickets: $15, available from Landspeed Records in Civic, Songland Records in Tuggeranong and The Basement in Belconnen.

Artists:

Acoustic: Phill Wohlers; Mog; Ruth O’Brien & Reece Starkey; Eileen Francisco

Rock: Sunchaser & the Wayward Orchestra; Manilla Green; Starfish Hill; Scaramouche; Activate Jetpack

Further information and interviews

For more information about A Night At The Basement, including images, artist biographies, and interviews with organisers or performers, please contact:

Jason Campbell-Smith
Mobile: 0419 972 711

To arrange an interview with Penny Jones or for more information about Plan International, contact:

David Cook
Media Officer
Plan International Australia
Mob: 0448 816 900
Ph: (03) 9672 3652
Email: david.cook@plan.org.au

Background information

Jason Campbell-Smith
Frontman for Sunchaser & the Wayward Orchestra. Recently shared the same stage as You Am I, Urthboy, Ash Grunwald and Clare Bowditch at the 2010 Corinbank Festival.

Named Songwriter of the Year 2008 by the Australian Songwriter’s Association.

Featured in current issue of Australian Guitar, in newsagents around the country.

“It has been deeply rewarding to hear about the difference that my contribution has made to Edwin’s family and community,” said Campbell-Smith of his support for Plan’s work. “By far the best decision I’ve ever made is to sponsor a child through Plan.”

Penny Jones
Penny Jones, 28, returned to Canberra at the start of May after a two-month contract as Plan Haiti’s Deputy Emergency Program Manager.

In Haiti she was based in Plan’s field office in the town of Jacmel, south-west of the capital Port-au-Prince. She spent a lot of time in the field, travelling to different parts of the country to monitor toilets under construction, transitional schools, and performances by Clowns Without Borders.

Until recently Penny was Program Effectiveness Manager for Plan International in East Timor. She had decided to leave East Timor to return to Australia to pursue further study.

After the earthquake, Plan’s international disaster response co-ordinators contacted Ms Jones to see if she could go to Haiti to help, as she is highly skilled.

Ms Jones has returned to Canberra to resume her Masters study and work as a development consultant.

Ms Jones is available for interviews about her experiences in Haiti and East Timor, and Plan’s work around the world.

Friends of Plan Canberra
Friends of Plan Canberra meet on the second Wednesday of every second month in member’s homes to organise fundraising events for Plan projects. The next event is a dinner at the Taj Agra restaurant in Dickson on Thursday, September 16.

For more information about Friends of Plan Canberra:

Phone: (02) 6254 2195.
Mail: PO Box 4719, Higgins, ACT, 2615