Annual '$20,000 Dance Party', October 18, 2009

Host: Project Schoolhouse - Raising money to
build schools in Nicaragua

Austin, TX - Project Schoolhouse, an Austin based non-profit dedicated to building educational opportunities in rural areas of Latin America, will host a fundraising event at Copa Bar & Grill on October 18, 2000 from 7 PM – 12 AM. Project Schoolhouse hopes to raise $20,000 to fund construction of a new elementary school in village of ‘El Martillo’ in Nicaragua.

The $20,000 Dance Party will feature local Latin bands, dance classes, and community-provided food. Performers will include Charanga Cakewalk, Ritmo 3, Son 5, Seu Jacinto, Wino Vino, and Scarlet and the Jalapeños. These bands are well known in the Austin dance community for their infectious rhythms, authentic sounds, and high-energy performances. All of the performers are donating their time to benefit school building projects in Nicaragua.

Project Schoolhouse has a track record of successful grassroots projects, having built three elementary schools and three community water systems in the Matagalpa province of Nicaragua since 2007. Each project serves up to 100 children and 30 adults.

Recipient communities donate the required manual labor while Project Schoolhouse donates building supplies and provides skilled onsite supervision and instruction. Each Project Schoolhouse site includes the construction of a new elementary school, community water system, and new sanitation facilities.

The money raised from this event is integral to the realization of Project Schoolhouse’s 2010 goal of completing another school and water system. Due to the dramatic increase in Nicaraguan communities wanting to partner with Project Schoolhouse, there are currently six communities waiting to begin school building projects.

Copa Bar & Grill is located at 217 Congress Avenue and is a popular Austin venue for Latin and South American music, dancing, and cuisine. Doors will open at 6:45 P.M. Project Schoolhouse will collect a $20 donation at the door. Donations can also be made at www.20000dollardanceparty.eventbrite.com.

Event sponsors include Heineken, Books Beyond Borders, Esquina Tango, Taco Journalism, and Copa Bar & Grill, Eli & the Austin School of Music.

For more information contact Thomas Barker at 512-853-9565 or email  info@projectschoolhouse.org with questions. You can also find us at www.projectschoolhouse.org.