18Jun 2013

ONLY HOURS LEFT!!!

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As I sit here with LESS THAN FOUR DAYS LEFT for this fundraising campaign for “The D”,  I can’t help but think about all the amazing things that have come out of it so far and how great it’s going to be when I go back to Detroit to do my passion project of recording the official unofficial theme song of the city with thousands of Detroiters throughout the month of  “September”.
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The outpouring of love and support from hundreds of you so far lets me know how many of my friends have my back.
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But I’d have more confidence I could pull this off with ADDITIONAL DONATIONS. I’ve worked on this for over a year and a half already, making decisions like holding off on performing so the money could stream to “The D”. But it’s obvious I cant pull off something this ambitious alone. And it’s not  the kind of project I’d want to pull off alone. It’s all about the power of community and friendships and how that ignites spirit.
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When left to my own devices my songs have always been about if your life isn’t working get yourself up and MAKE A CHANGE. “I’m just burning doing the Neutron Dance” means if the world explodes tomorrow I will at least have lived the life I want to live.”
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I relate to Detroit not just because it’s my hometown but because my entire career has been a series of starting overs, exactly what Detroit is faced with now. So I know the only way up is to not be afraid of going there and putting your imagination in the driver’s seat.  From there on it’s sheer nerve and chutzpah and that’s what’s very much alive and well in Detroit.  And why it’s so uplifting to go there. And why I know I will get the most spirited performance on earth out of these Motown babies no matter how I pull it off.
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Ultimately, Detroit will not only have a theme song, and videos and documentary commemorating it, but this is a way for all profits in perpituity to go to two Detroit art gems, The Heidelberg Project and Mosaic Youth Theater.
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Thanks to places in Detroit that have opened their doors to me like The Whitney – an elegant restaurant in the oldest house in Detroit on the first paved road in the world – and Vinsetta Garage –  a killer food joint in what was the baddest hot rod garage in the city of cars –  both of whom are hosting fundraisers  for “The D” when I go back to Detroit in a couple of weeks.
This kind of generosity abounds in Detroit. And that generosity and spirit pushes me to ask you once again to please support me and “The D”. Even $5 is a vote of confidence that keeps me going (not that hundreds don’t help!).
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And, of course, please help spread the word and share “The D” on Facebook , Twitter and the like.
And please remember to DONATE HERE: http://igg.me/at/WeSingTheD
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To follow my Detroit adventures:
Twitter @WeSingTheD, @AlleeWillis
DONATE ON INDIEGOGO: http://igg.me/at/WeSingTheD
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Love,
Allee

7 Responses to “ONLY HOURS LEFT!!!”

  1. Laura De Leon

    Hello dear, I came to your site from your FB post with every intension of donating what I can but I’m having trouble finding the Paypal button, or, what ever other button you have going to do so.
    I’m with you all the way but if it’s too hard to find how to donate most people will not take the time.

    Ok, just found it. Took me a while and had to scroll down the ENTIRE SITE to find it. 🙂 It should be the BIGGEST, BOLDEST, BUTTON AT THE VERY TOP of this Page. Just want your cause to get all the attention and money it deserves and since you only have a few days left making it as EASY as possible to DONATE is KEY. Most people will not take as much time to read as I do. 🙂 Now I’m going to go and donate. Blessings and much much success to you and DETROIT! Laura De Leon

    • Allee

      Thanks, Laura. The design of the page, including where the ‘contribute now’ buttons are located are part of the Indiegogo interface, so i have no control over it. However, there’s a ‘contribute now’ button both at the top of the page, right under where it says how much has been raised, as well as the bottom. Are you looking on http://igg.me/at/WeSingTheD?

  2. RJS

    Allee, I also hail from Detroit. Although I haven’t been back for decades. Your campaign sounds cool. I just discovered your site, and look forward to reading more posts.

  3. RJS

    I appreciate your response. I also forgot to say, that I love your songs. BTW: If you’re ever near Maine, please let me know. It’d be an honor to meet you. We could schmooze over coffee and cake. (Or even bagels and lox!)

    • Allee

      I’m a horrible traveler. I have a whole lotta time in Detroit coming up plus a trip to London for the opening of my musical, The Color Purple, so probably no Maine for me for a while. But BAGELS AND LOX, my favorite all-time meal, is a mighty fine inducement!

  4. RJS

    It’s Semitic soul food, sistah! I’ll even treat you to a mocha latte, for further inducement. (Or tea, if you prefer.) I’ve never been to London, and I’d love to see your musical. It sounds exciting. Someday, we’ll swim across the pond.