Break for Japan, April 9

 

BREAK FOR JAPAN
Sat, April 9, 6-11pm
Suggested Door Fee: $5
Fundraising Page | Facebook Page

Vox Culture is hosting a Breakdance Battle to fundraise for relief in Japan. Come join us for a night at the warehouse where Houston b-boys and b-girls will be dancing for a cause.  All door fees / additional donations and a portion of all food sales will go to the relief efforts of the International Rescue Committee.  Volunteers needed; please sign up here.

Donations will go to providing food, tents, and other critical supplies to survivors of Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.

6pm: B-boys/B-girls Exclusive Hour
7pm: Doors Open to General Public // Come and go as you please!

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Vox Culture Friends,

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Last Fall when we partnered with Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition, we learned a lot. We had our perspective re-arranged, and we were alerted to things we can do together to fight against this injustice. Our hope is that this disturbing issue stays on your radar screens and that you join with us in voicing the needs of those who have been silenced.

According to an article on change.org.

There are more slaves in the world today than at any point in history. Slavery is more affordable, more wide-spread, and more entrenched in 2011 than it was in ancient Rome or the antebellum South of America. Modern-day slaves, also called human trafficking victims, can be male or female, from any country, or representing any ethnicity. They can be enslaved in any industry, although common industries include domestic servitude, agriculture, the commercial sex industry, factories, and the service industry. Human trafficking is truly a global crime.

Here are a few things to consider.

1) 11 Practical Steps
Check out our friend Charles Lee's blogpost here. He lists 11 things to help end modern day slavery.

2) Free the Captives
Our friends at Free the Captives will be hosting a conference on February 26th in Houston. This one day gathering will feature law enforcement, modern abolitionists, local anti-slavery groups, and more. Free the Captives works specifically with the faith community, but all are welcome to join and learn. Visit the FTC website to learn more.

3) Support Vox Culture
We have been quieter on the event side lately, but we've been doing some meaningful work. In February we will be doing a small private event for young girls who are at risk of trafficking or have left that situation. This event will allow mentors to hang out with the girls. We will have collaborate artwork and other fun events designed just for them.

We are looking for supporters like you who can help sponsor this event. We need art supplies and some simple food and drinks. If you would like to help make a difference, contact Ted [at] voxculturehouston.org.

Peace,
Ted

Human For Sale - Photos

Thanks to everyone for making our last event such a rich experience. We had a sold out crowd for the bus tour and a thought provoking show. We had a wonderful experience supporting Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition. Special thanks to Blue Planet Cafe and Grizaffi Coffee for being part of the event.

Many of you have asked about networking and upcoming events in the future. This past summer we spent time evaluating our next steps and we will be working on building our network in the coming months. Look for more opportunities to connect.

Fully Human?

Ayad Fadel

"Human for Sale" will be Sept 22nd starting at 6:30PM and Sept 24th at 7PM. For this event we've invited artists to explore the question, "What does it mean to be fully human?" Human Trafficking is a dark subject that diminishes humanity. Through artistic vision, we are hoping to inspire people to see human beings in a new light.

We are excited to have the following artist join us this month. Some are joining us for the first time. Some are returning with new works. Ayad Fadel's new work is featured in this post.

Lorena Fernandez
Caroline Zakaria Marcos
Sarah Kitagawa
Chicago Kim
Ayad Fadel

We hope the artistic dimension of this event will stir better dialogue and help us engage us envision a better future, one without human trafficking.

Directions:

Human for Sale. Sept 22 & 24

September 22nd at 6:30 PM September 24th at 7:00 PM Vox Culture is working with Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition (HRRC) to help bring awareness to the problem of human trafficking. We will be featuring an art exhibit and experience following HRRC's "red flag" bus tour. The tour is designed to be an educational event for the public to learn about this growing problem and ways to help. The exhibit will focus on "what does it mean to be fully human?" Save the date and help us spread the word! Human trafficking is modern day slavery and there are more people enslaved today than at any other point in human history. Sept 22: Sign up for HRRC's anti-trafficking bus tour. The bus tour will be followed by an event at the Vox Culture gallery. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance. Space is limited. Sign up at contact@houstonrr.org. Sept 24: The art exhibit and theater will be open for a second night. Come learn, discuss, and express your thoughts. $5 at the door. HRRC is a non-profit organization dedicated to confronting modern-day slavery by educating the public, training professionals and empowering the community to take action. To learn more about their awareness week, visit here. UPDATE Aug 27: spaces are filling up for the tour so please reserve your spot today!