WHO: Featuring Om Rasa with sitarist David Pontbriand, Micah Blue Smaldone, and Edward Gibbs
WHERE: The Meg Perry Center, 644 Congress Street, Portland Maine
WHEN: Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 8-11:00 PM

WHAT: A benefit to raise money for humanitarian aid to Somalia WHO: Featuring Om Rasa with sitarist David Pontbriand, Micah Blue Smaldone, and Edward Gibbs WHERE: The Meg Perry Center, 644 Congress Street, Portland Maine WHEN: Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 8-11:00 PM

The Flatbread Company, The NAACP Portland Chapter, The Center For African Heritage, The Foglight Collective, and Peace Action Maine are proud to present Om Rasa featuring sitarist David Pontbriand, Micah Blue Smaldone, and Edward Gibbs in concert at The Meg Perry Center, 644 Congress Street in Portland, Maine on Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 8:00 to 11:00 PM. This is an all ages event. Donations are $5-10 to benefit aid efforts in Somalia.

Om Rasa is the duo of David Pontbriand and Shawn P. Russell. David is a sitarist specializing in North Indian classical raga. Inspired by Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan, David has been playing the sitar since 1973. Shawn P. Russell attended The Berklee College of Music, and specializes in South Indian percussion. Om Rasa will be featuring original music from their recent CD release “Raga Fission.”

Just returned from an extensive tour of Europe, Micah Blue Smaldone is a veteran of The Time of Rivers Festival, and a member of Fire on Fire. His solo releases include “Some Sweet Day” and “Hither and Thither.”

Influenced by pre-war blues and traditional folk forms, Edward Gibbs will be featuring both six-string guitar and banjo improvisations during his performance on February 9.

For further information, please contact Peace Action Maine at 772-0680. Music and band information can be found at www.omrasa.com, www.davidpontbriand.net, www.myspace.com/omrasa, www.micahbluesmaldone.com, and www.myspace.com/edwardjgibbs.