Update on Sweet Crude

Dear Diary: This just in from Leslye:

Dear Friends of Sweet Crude:

We have some happy announcements to share with you.

SWEET CRUDE PREMIERE

We’re thrilled to announce the Sweet Crude world premiere! After years of hard work, we are – as we speak – bringing the film over the finish line.

We will be at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, which runs from April 2^nd through April 5^th in Durham, NC. We are excited to have the primo Saturday night screening time, April 4^th. Sweet Crude is one of 55 documentaries selected from more than 1200 submissions for the New Docs program. Learn more about the festival at fullframefest.org. If you can swing it, we would love to see you there.

There will be more festivals – and we’ll pass along the details as soon as we know them.

RAISE IT: SWEET CRUDE FREEDOM MIX BENEFIT CONCERT – celebrating one year free!

Hard to believe it’s been a year since we were writing to you about the crew’s detainment in the Niger Delta. In April 2008, Sandy Cioffi and crew members Sean Porter, Tammi Sims and Cliff Worsham returned to the Niger Delta to finish the film. While on their way to a shoot, they and their Nigerian guide Joel Bisina were picked up on the waterways by the Nigerian military. They were held in military prison and interrogated for a week. Thanks to a huge effort by many friends, family, organizations and elected officials who brought pressure on the Nigerian government, they were released. But their footage was confiscated for good. On their way to prison, during a terrifying truck ride under armed guard, music helped the crew make it through the night. They created a spontaneous iPod playlist and the powerful songs gave them comfort and hope.

We’ve planned a one-of-a-kind evening around the songs that made the difference that night. The Sweet Crude Freedom Mix will be performed by a fabulous group of singer/songwriters to help raise finishing funds for the film.

You’re cordially invited to RAISE IT. Your glass. Your voice. Your spirits. Your awareness. Cold hard cash.

The concert will feature local faves and out-of-town friends:

The Playlist Singers: Karen Pernick, Jen Todd, Mel Watson, Erin McKeown, Karyn Schwartz, Zoë Lewis, Jennifer Sutherland

The Playlist Band: Jen Todd, Mel Watson, Erin McKeown, Pam Barger, Barbara Marino, Kate Wolf

Plus special surprise guests!

April 15^th, 2009

Two shows: 6:00pm and 9:00pm

The Triple Door, Seattle

Suggested donation: $30 - $1,000

Purchase online at www.thetripledoor.net or call 206.838.4333

More info here.

This will be an unforgettable show. Please join us if you can!

From all of us at Sweet Crude, thanks so much for your interest and support.