Cultural Center Hosts Music-Rich Presentation
by Survivor Girl Ukulele Band founder, Laurie Kallevig

On Friday, October 19, 2018 at 7:00 pm in New York Mills, the Cultural Center will be hosting a music-rich presentation by Laurie Kallevig, founder of Survivor Girl Ukulele Band (SGUB). Preceding the presentation, Laurie will also host a beginner’s ukulele class at 6:00 p.m.

SGUB supports a mission of “bringing restoration and hope to survivors of human trafficking through the healing power of music and love.” Laurie will share her journey in India working with survivors of human trafficking through pictures and music from her Volume One CD. She says in a 2015 interview for Kala Brand Music, “We all have a soundtrack going through our heads. They can write their own soundtrack. YOU write the soundtrack for your life.” In an environment that has attempted to change or control these young women, Laurie is giving them a choice and the gift of music.

Laurie’s plan is to return to India in the fall of 2018. $13,069 has already been raised of a $17,500 goal. This budget includes wages for survivor girls employed in expanding the SGUB Project in Kolkata to other shelter homes. Though not required, you are welcome to make a donation towards the goal that night. Attendance is free and open to all.

Access to music and education is so important because it opens doors for these young people affected by human trafficking. To give us a taste of what her teaching style is like, Laurie will hold a will a beginner’s ukulele class before the concert. This begins at 6:00 p.m. in the gallery and will last 45 minutes. If you don’t have your own ukulele, one will be provided. Spots are limited by the number of ukuleles (24), so please call ahead to hold your spot. Walk-ins are also welcome as space allows. Classes like this give opportunities to students in India to take back control of their lives.

A cookie reception will follow the presentation around 8:30 p.m. At this time, attendees will have the opportunity to visit with Laurie and make contributions to SGUB and/or purchase CDs of ukulele music created by Laurie and her students. A cash bar will also be available throughout the evening. This event is free to attend and open to all!

For more information, visit www.kulcher.org or www.sgub.org, or call 218-385-3339.

The Cultural Center in New York Mills is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. We offer visitors intimate opportunities to encounter art and artists in our 80-seat concert listening room, two galleries in a historic building, a gift store featuring local artists, an artist residency program, a sculpture park, and a variety of opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Since our incorporation in 1990, we have been passionate about connecting people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local and being a window to the world.