For Immediate Release

District Governors Judy Freund (5960) and Chuck Berg (5950) invites all Rotarians from both districts to consider attending and promoting an important events that focus on Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio.

A documentary Film, “BENDA BILILI!” will be playing on September 22, 2011  (Download Press Release: Rotary International – Staff Benda Bilili)

NOTE: The LIVE Performance by Staff Benda Bilili – scheduled on September 27, 2011 was CANCELLED.

Here is a little more about the group:

Staff Benda Bilili, is an up and coming group of rising music stars that  will be touring our area.  Most of the members of the group are survivors of Polio. This is a major opportunity to to get the word out in your community of the fact that Rotary is dedicated to the eradication of this deadly disease.

Significantly the group is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the disease had been eliminated but has now resurfaced in a major way.

Staff Benda Bilili, has a wonderful sound that is truly unique to our Midwestern ears, especially when you understand the messages they are conveying to the listeners.  Watch the video below where they are singing about the importance of Polio Vaccinations.

Like all the finest African bands, Staff Benda Bilili’s swirling complexity removes the option to do anything but dance … Havana cantina, Kinshasa slum, psychedelic club, or London arts centre—this crack outfit would tear the roof off anywhere.”— Independent