The LIGHTHOUSE EFFECT is the music component of the World Trust Foundation, which is created to foster musicians and artisans around the world. The Lighthouse Effect is focused on “shining a light” upon organizations around the world who create a culture of peace, which has been one of the main features of the World Trust Foundation since its inception. The Lighthouse Effect Concert Tour is therefore a not-for-profit program to connect with global artisans as the tour proceeds to global outreach, which is, therefore, a tax-deductible donation.

Lighthouse Effect draws its name from the metaphor of a lighthouse. Lighthouses shed light on the sea and on the surrounding areas, so that those who are sailing along are given a focal point in order to arrive at their destination. This metaphor lends itself to the purpose of World Trust Foundation’s, Young Leaders Global Summit that will be held around the world annually. It is the intention of those individuals involved in the Lighthouse Effect Tour 2008 to highlight organizations in Ireland & Northern Ireland who are acting as lighthouses to their local, national, and international communities.

Lighthouse Effect: the show, is designed to be part of a larger Lighthouse Effect Tour taking place summer 2008. The purpose of this year’s tour is multifaceted,  it is the first event of the roll out for World Trust Foundation’s Young Leaders Network and is part of the ongoing reconciliation and restoration programs currently taking place in Ireland and in Northern Ireland. The tour will highlight organizations that are currently functioning as ‘lighthouses’ in their local communities giving them recognition for their hard work an opportunity to build awareness and support locally and globally for those organizations in Ireland and Northern Ireland as they continue their cross community and cross border work.

Ireland (Summer 2008) is the kick off of theLighthouse Effect. working to support, guide and encourage young leaders and unite the musicians and artisans of the world for the greater advantage of bridging cultures through the heartbeat of music. As theYoung Leadersincrease in numbers over the years, and the musicians travel to their countries, the Youth Leaders will help co-create the experience on what local musicians are to perform, as well as what charities are assisted along the way. A group of indie artists (from various supporting countries) will perform at the music festivals called Lighthouse Effect Concerts for Peace. Summer 2008 the music groups will tour areas of Ireland and meet youth and local leaders in order to raise awareness for the project.

The outreach is to encourage them to take part in the upcoming Young Leaders Global Summit to be held in San Francisco in 2009, as well as lay the groundwork for Ireland to host the 2010 Young Leaders Global Summit and Lighthouse Effect Concerts for Peace. click here to find out more

THE ARTISTS
Many artists involved in making this tour a way to create positive momentum for the World Trust Network's programming over the next four years. Artists on the Lighthouse Record Label Mimi Burns Band, Craig Lyons and Michael Arkk.

Mimi Burns Band The Mimi Burns Band has produced and participated in three successful international tours. Their music is played in over 30 countries. When touring Italy they were asked to play at the World G8 Summit held in Genoa, where they played to their most adoring fans in packed venues around the North of Italy. The Mimi Burns Band is working with musicians and artisans from around the planet who recognize the importance of being an artist and the impact each of us has on coming together to support the efforts of people making a difference through action. In doing so, the, Lighthouse Effect Project, puts on large benefit concerts throughout the globe.

Mimi takes time out of her schedule, when traveling and at home, to lead therapeutic workshops, work for large charities such as FEED 333, a project under World Trust, www.feed333.com to feed children in need in the United States. Mimi also lent a helping to head up the Humanity Unites Brilliance during it's first conference in 2007 with the headliners Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen (co-authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul), Reverend Michael Beckwith (the Secret). Tess Cacciatore was one of the key presenters with the topic of: “Breaking the Paradigm of the Nonprofit Arena in 7 Simple Steps” with her message of collaboration model and of creating sustainable revenue streams in the nonprofit arena.

Over the next five years the Mimi Burns Band will performLighthouse Effect the show during tours with top acts around the globe to illuminate theLighthouse Effect. The effort will highlight organizations who are working on behalf of young people to bring about a positive change in their communities.
www.mimiburns.com

Craig Lyons Craig Lyons is a passionate singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and recording engineer from a small town in Ohio. Now a resident of Los Angeles, Craig has released three entirely self-recorded, self-produced solo albums with Grayscale Records. He's working on his fourth - an ambitious project featuring his band of LA's top players, a 32-piece string orchestra, and a Grammy-winning mix engineer.

Craig’s albums are licensed by MTV and his music has received airplay on The Real World for over 100 million viewers worldwide. Craig recently signed a deal with branch of Universal Music for licensing in film & TV. He's been nominated for a Los Angeles Music Award in 2007 and 2008, his first two years in LA. He received a LAMA Producer's Choice award at a showcase performance this year.

Craig's music has benefited many charities including a song donation for the Feed333 program, an independent showcase for Shriner's Children's Hospital. "Benefit work is the best," says Craig. "I get to do what I do, hoping that people will gain from the music in the traditional sense. On top of that, awareness and funding are raised for good causes. It's a win-win with an extra win."

Craig was recently featured on the hit national television series So You Think You Can Dance. His songs, “Goodbye You” and “California” were featured as audition pieces for two of the dancers in the show. Post the airing of the show (May 28th, 2008) Craig’s songs were listened and downloaded thousands of times in the following day and continues to be an online hit.

Rhapsody in Wax: Made up of artists from the Mimi Burns Band, Rhapsody In Wax is premier Prohibition-era.
www.myspace.com/craiglyons

Michael Arkk  is a talented musician, who after experiencing a near fatal illness was given a new lease on life. This was not only a new life in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual sense. Since his illness and recovery he has gained a “true sense of understanding and peace.” Michael as been in many bands throughout his musical career and when Michael went solo his music broadened to reflect his favorite influences, singers such as: Gladys Knight, Sam Cooke, Mahalia Jackson, Toots and the Maytalls, Bob Marley, Elvis Presley and Jo Cocker.

Michael’s performances are a weaving together of the classic singing and spiritual moves he loves. His music vibrates in sparkling colors, radiating warmth and a fullness of spirit. Michael is also a poet. His first anthology "Congregation’ is a collection of 94 soulful, yet sharply perceptive paintings of the many facets of the human condition. Michael is committed to restoration and reconciliation on a global scale.
www.myspace.com/michaelarkkofficia

** All information regarding the concert tour is subject to local approval, successful travels, and funding.