OXFORD UNIVERSITY ALT-ROCK BAND
TEAMS UP WITH HOMELESS AMERICAN TEENS TO FIGHT HATE SPEECH Tuesday, May 20, 2014 Maysles Cinema 343 Lenox Avenue Harlem, NYC 10027 7:00pm – 10:00pm CONTACT: Dr. Rachel Chapple
646-331-0117
r ealstoriesgallery@gmail.com
harlemagainstviolencehomophobia.mydagsite.com HARLEM, NYC – When English songwriter Nick
Hampson of the band Northeast Corridor learned how Harlem parents were uniting
to protest homophobic hate speech posted on the ATLAH Missionary Church sign on
Lenox Avenue, he knew he must do something.
Within hours, he wrote the song “Where You’re Sleeping Tonight,” in
honor of homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth,
many of who are forced from their homes due to religious-based rejection.
But the 20 year-old Hampson didn’t stop there. The Oxford University musicology major teamed
up with the youth artists of Smash Street, an American safehouse art program
that helps sexually abused boys recover via art, filmmaking, photography and
storytelling work. He also decided that proceeds
from the sale of “Where You’re Sleeping Tonight” will be donated to the Ali
Forney Center, a Harlem-based nonprofit that helps homeless LGBTQ youth.
“What
Nick and his band Northeast Corridor have done is very significant,” said one
Smash Street student artist. “They have shown us that someone, complete
strangers, are willing to do more than just empathize. That is remarkable and we
salute Northeast Corridor for getting involved to raise more shelter beds and
services for kids in Harlem.”
After hearing “Where You’re Sleeping Tonight,” the student artists of Smash Street created a full,
professional music video, with the youngest student artist being 12 years old.
“Everyone
[at Smash Street] played a role,” said another student who remains anonymous to
protect his identity. “We created the
imagery and graphics, we did the editing and transferred it to a format in
which it can be shown at ‘No Time for Hate’.”
“No
Time for Hate” is the Tuesday, May 20th benefit night staged by the
Harlem parents who decided that instead of directly protesting ATLAH Missionary
Church and its hate speech, they would raise money for affected LGBTQ youth
instead. All proceeds from “No Time for
Hate” go to the Ali Forney Center. The
“Where You’re Sleeping Tonight” video will have its world premiere at “No Time
For Hate.”
As Hampson was inspired by
the video response, he hopes others will be, too. “The video had me in tears,” said Hampson. “There is something so
unmistakably real about it. It’s a
reality we all know exists, but few ever actually see it. It’s not that people always choose to ignore
it; many are just not ready to face it.
Hopefully now they might find the courage.” To Purchase song: http://northeastcorridor.bandcamp.com/track/where-youre-sleeping-tonight
About “Where
You’re Sleeping Tonight” – Song and Music Video: "Where You’re
Sleeping Tonight” is a collaborative
music video created by Northeast Corridor and Smash Street Safe House to
support the Ali Forney Center. The song, written by 20 year-old Nick Hampson
and performed by his band Northeast Corridor, will be released on May 20th. The
Music Video, created by Smash Street, a survivor-led safe house art program for
boys, includes footage shot by adolescents whose lives have been smashed by
homelessness and violence, and their typical adolescent peers. Harnessing their
creativity, concern and today’s technologies, young people are reaching out to
express how they feel and touch each other’s lives: “Where You’re Sleeping Tonight.”
For further information please contact Real Stories Gallery Foundation (501c3)
at realstoriesgallery@gmail.com About Nick Hampson: Nick Hampson, lead singer and founding member
of Oxford alt-rock band Northeast Corridor, is a twenty year-old Music student
at Oxford University. Nick spent most of his childhood singing in English
cathedral choirs as a chorister, before starring in the 2008 Royal Opera House
production of ‘The Magic Flute’. Though still a classical singer, Nick
now divides his time between being a songwriter, poet and performing musician.
As well as attempting not to fail his degree! His band, Northeast
Corridor, is set to be the youngest band to ever headline an O2 academy venue,
playing the Oxford O2 on June 13th.
About Real
Stories Gallery Foundation: Real Stories Gallery Foundation is a
registered 501c3 charity in the USA. Survivor- led art, poetry &
storytelling initiatives. Sexual abuse & sexual exploitation of men
& boys. HIV/AIDS. www.real-stories-gallery.orgAbout “No
Time For Hate”: Harlem parents have united in
resistance to ATLAH Missionary Church hate speech and in support of the Harlem-based
Ali Forney Center to help homeless LGBTQ youth.
On Tuesday, May 20th at Maysles Cinema in Harlem, No Time for
Hate features two panels of activists and clergy discussing the needs of LGBTQ
youth and what we as a community/allies can do to help. Featured performance by singer-songwriter
Nick Hampson of Northeast Corridor, as he debuts his song “Where You’re
Sleeping Tonight” written in honor of young gay/transgender advocate who was
murdered in Harlem. World premiere of
music video created by the youth artists of Smash Street. Reception to follow, with special sets by DJ
Lady DM and a dance performance by Harlem Dance Club. Co-sponsored by the Mt. Morris Park Community
Improvement Association, Harlem United, and Real Stories Gallery
Foundation. For more information:
http://harlemagainstviolencehomophobia.mydagsite.com/home About Ali
Forney Center: The Ali
Forney Center is the largest and most
comprehensive program in the nation dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless
LGBTQ youth. Through their Outreach Services, Drop In Center and Emergency and
Transitional Housing they see over 1,000 homeless LGBTQ youth each year. AFC
offers three warm meals a day, showers, and clothing. We provide youth with
on-site medical and mental health services, HIV and STI testing and treatment,
substance abuse support, career and educational counseling and life skills
mentoring. Above all, they offer these young people the tools they need to
reclaim their lives and become independent. In fact, 99% of youth in their Transitional
Housing Program are employed and 77% are enrolled in higher education.