NASHVILLE |DATE: JUNE 7, 2006
FROM: LIBBY HENRY/KRISTINE ASHTON-MAGNUSON
VANS WARPED TOUR® 2006
PRESENTED BY CINGULAR WIRELESS AND SAMSUNG MOBILE
ANNOUNCES “WARPED ECO INITIATIVE” (WEI) TOUR INITIATIVES INCLUDING:
BIODIESEL FUEL FOR TOURING TRUCKS AND BUSES,
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CATERING COURTESY OF TADA CATERING,
AND SOLAR-POWERED SOUND SYSTEM;
“UNITE THE UNITED” VOLUNTEER DAY IN LOUISIANA CONFIRMED FOR JUNE 29
The summer of 2006 will mark a special year for the VANS WARPED TOUR® 2006 Presented by Cingular Wireless and Samsung Mobile, as it undergoes changes in developing multiple ways to help the environment and create awareness through action.
Multiple artist tours can take a serious toll on the environment due to the combined effect of industrial and human emissions. To combat these negative effects, the VANS WARPED TOUR® has teamed with environmentalist Tim Allyn to create the “Warped Eco Initiative” (WEI). WEI has identified key ways the tour can have less impact on the environment including switching to the alternative energy biodiesel fuel for the tour’s transportation fleet. By switching to a biodiesel B20 fuel blend for buses, WEI will reduce carbon monoxide emissions by an estimated 16%, equaling roughly 500,000 pounds. Carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to global warming. In addition, by switching to biodiesel, sulfur, particulate matter and hydrocarbons are significantly cut down, helping to reduce the harmful effects of smog and acid rain.
The tour’s longtime catering company, Tada Catering, is making a major effort to help the environment by implementing a new reuse-and-recycle plan. Rather than purchasing and disposing of an estimated 81,000 paper plates, Tada will use washable dishware and dishwashing machines on the road, thus saving trees and cutting waste disposal at landfills. AOL is also providing corn-based coffee mugs to the tour’s bands and crew as part of a common sense plan to put WARPED on the path to a “zero waste” existence. As an added bonus, the reuse-and-recycle program will turn tens of thousands of recyclables into cash dollars for local non-profit organizations.
Another area where the tour is making an effort to help the environment is with a solar-powered sound system. The Kevin Says Hot Topic Stage will feature a 40,000 watt, solar-powered sound system from Sustainable Waves. Additionally, power sources for the tour’s vendors will be fueled by B20 and B100 (100 percent vegetable-derived fuel), which will prevent an estimated 50,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from contributing to a hotter planet.
Warped also plans to help the environment via the 2006 Vans Warped Tour® Recycling Program. Tour organizers are seeking volunteers in select cities to aid their efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Volunteers will gain free access to the show, a t-shirt, and other Vans Warped Tour® items. Those who can help out in Atlanta, Bonner Springs, Dallas, Jacksonville, Ladsen, Las Cruces, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, Raleigh and San Antonio can contact Tim Allyn at t.allyn@comcast.net or Erin Gorski at silversand712@aol.com.
In other news, continuing the efforts of Unite The United–the charitable foundation created by VANS WARPED TOUR® and Taste Of Chaos Tour founder Kevin Lyman–the VANS WARPED TOUR® will partner with the Volunteer Center of Southwest Louisiana and Cameron Community Action/Council on Aging in an effort to help with the rebuilding and restoring process for victims of last year’s hurricanes. Lyman explains the reason for creating Unite The United, noting: “Our mission is to encourage fans, artists and industry leaders from the music, touring and lifestyle worlds to come together through charitable contributions and volunteer efforts in order to work toward a positive change in our national community.”
On June 29–a tour “off day” between the Atlanta and Houston shows–band members and crew from the VANS WARPED TOUR as well as others who would like to contribute to the cause will come together to help the community of Cameron Parish in Southwest Louisiana. The anticipated 500-600 volunteers will work closely with the homeowners during this 6-8 hour work day and will be treated to Cajun food, humor and music throughout the day from locals who are proud, happy, eager and thankful for the support.
The work detail for Cameron Parish includes debris removal from yards and home sites, as well as rebuilding of existing pieces of structures. In addition, renovation projects–while not plentiful due to the amount of destruction in the area–include painting, repaneling, electrical work, plumbing work, installing windows and doors and roofing. In the days leading up to this volunteer event, the Volunteer Center of Southwest Louisiana is looking for equipment donations to help with the rebuilding process. Equipment needed includes: hammers, nails, and gloves. Donations can be sent to Cameron Community Action/Council on Aging. Their physical address for sending via UPS or FedEx is: 957 Hwy 384, Grand Lake, LA 70606 and their mailing address is P.O. Box 8801, Grand Lake, LA 70606. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Volunteer Center of Southwest Louisiana, either by going to www.1-800-Volunteer.org, www.310info.org or email: jonathan.marcantel@310info.org. To make a tax deductible donation to the Unite The United Foundation, please contact Laura Murphy at: unitetheunited@gmail.com or mail checks to: Unite The United Foundation, 804 South Fair Oaks Avenue, South Pasadena, CA 91030.
Go to www.warpedtour.com and www.unitetheunited.com for more information on the VANS WARPED TOUR® and related volunteer efforts.
The Vans Warped Tour® is made possible through the support of Vans®, title sponsors Cingular Wireless and Samsung Mobile, Fuse, PlayStation®, Wrigley’s Winterfresh, Hot Topic, truth, Monster Energy and Hansen’s Sodas, Lost Beverage, Gold Bond, Wells Fargo, MySpace.com, Hurley, Circuit City, Energizer® e2™, Major League Baseball, Ernie Ball, Trojan, Eastpak®, Sandisk, Music Edge, Alternative Press, SPIN Magazine, Guitar Center, Hasbro, Sirius Radio, and NAMM/the Music Edge.
For more information go to www.warpedtour.com or contact:
MSO: (818) 380-0400
Kristine Ashton-Magnuson kashton@msopr.com ext. 233
Libby Henry lhenry@msopr.com ext. 224
Brandis DeZon (tour press) bdezon@msopr.com ext. 241
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