We’re coming off the heels of our most expansive & intensive year yet and definitely don’t have any plans of slowing down. We could not be happier to share highlights from this past year with you all PLUS announce our Winter/Spring tour dates & new staff additions for 2014!

2013 Achievements & Milestones:

Set up at 75+ partnered artists shows & 9 major US music festivals with the involvement of over 20 active SSDP & DanceSafe chapters with an estimated reach of 100,000+
Provided harm reduction services at Springdance, Rootwire & All Good in OH, Summer Camp in IL, Purple Hatter’s Ball in FL, Black Mountain Family Reunion in CO & Fly Free Fest in TN freely distributing our Festival Safety Guide, water, factual drug info, ear plugs, condoms and other supplies to keep people safe & informed
Presented on our work at Club Health 2013. The 8th International Conference on Nightlife, Substance Use & Related Health Issues, held for the first time stateside in San Francisco, CA.
“Lessons We Can Learn: The Taboo That Ended Electric Zoo” a blog post written for us by Garrett Llopiz, Founder of the Univ. of North Florida SSDP chapter and former Regional Organizer, gets picked up by numerous media outlets quickly becoming one of SSDP’s highest viewed posts ever
Following the tragic Molly related deaths at Electric Zoo, AMPLIFY joined DanceSafe for their groundbreaking work at the inaugural TomorrowWorld outside Atlanta, GA being integrated into the medical teams & having their harm reduction messaging adopted officially by the festival. Resulting in NO drug overdose deaths from the 100,000+ person event
Engaged our supporters via social media networks reaching 150,000+ individuals this past year
Conducted online training sessions for non-SSDP/DanceSafe volunteers expanding our volunteer pool & certifying 35+ individuals to spread our message around the country
Partnered with new nationally touring artists including Ott., The Malah, Erothyme, D.V.S* and regional artists Universal Rebel, Dr. Slothclaw & White Robot
Recruited & trained 9 additional part-time volunteer Regional Organizers for 2014 based in SC, FL, PA, KY, MD, GA plus Galway, Ireland!
Continued our “Artist Interview Series” with Jason Takahashi of Papadosio, Elliott Vaughn of The Malah & Jesse Miller of Lotus
Raised over a $1000 in online & in-person donations to fund our freely distributed informational materials & harm reduction supplies
Partnered with Black Ink Art to start our “Prints Not Prisons Art Drives” raising over $250 from 3 different custom show posters

Regional Organizer & National Staff Additions!

We are also very pleased to announce the newest additions to our volunteer staff of Regional Organizers! Over the past two months we have been recruiting & training applicants from all over the world, its been hard work but we couldn’t be happier to have these dedicated activists & live music lovers join the team. They will be working to further our mission on a more local level in their areas as well as coordinating promo & tabling duties when our national artists come through their regions. They will be joining 3 Regional Organizers who have stepped up to more expansive roles on our National Staff after their fantastic work over the past year, check them all out and keep an eye out for them at a show near you!

2014 Regional Organizers:

David J. Fister – Geneva, IL

“Musician and fan with touring experience, Understands fully, from personal experience, the major advantages of a grassroots and hands on approach to sensible drug policy reform and implementation, along with the benefits of harm reduction education and awareness.”

Derek Berry – Charleston, SC

“Derek Berry studies Political Science and International Studies at College of Charleston. He works with the Charleston SSDP to promote harm prevention techniques on campus. He also writes and performs spoken word poetry.”

Eric Keeley – Wrightstown, NJ

“My name is Eric “Kandiman” Keeley. I’m 27 years old & owner of “Mission: PLURR” promotions and entertainment. I was a firefighter/EMT for 8 years and a mechanic for 3 years. I also currently head the Philadelphia area Dancesafe chapter. Music is my life and the safety of my friends and partygoers are of most important to me.”

Michael Littlejohn – Warsaw, KY

“Mike Littlejohn is just starting out as an advocate for harm reduction, however he is no stranger to advocating for drug policy reform in the state of Kentucky. He joined forces with Kentuckians for Medical Marijuana two years ago, to educate the general public, physicians, law enforcement, and elected officials at all levels of government about the medicinal values of marijuana. He works hard to provide truthful research supported information to medical marijuana patients, caregivers, health care providers and their community.

He has spent the past 4 years working concert venues, and artist relations. Live music harm reduction has become a great concern for him, after seeing how careless/blind venue employees, security personnel, and fellow concertgoers can be. By joining Amplify, he hopes to be able to educate others of harm reduction by way of working with venue management, and security; also educating concertgoers by providing educational supplies, and an encouraging word/shoulder.

Mike is from Cincinnati, Ohio but currently lives in Northern Kentucky. He is a Street Team Leader for multiple musical groups, a record label and also a local concert venue.”

Axel Bilbao – Orlando, FL

“Axel Bilbao is an Argentine born Immigrant living in the US studying philosophy, political theory and leadership studies at the University of Central Florida. He has long been involved in the live music scene and finds his home at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. He pioneered the first naloxone program in his area and educates his community about harm reduction in the music scene and other situations. Safe partying and responsibility for oneself are some of his guiding principles!”

Genevieve Wiley – West Chester, PA

“Genevieve Wiley is a recent graduate from West Chester University, where she studied Political Science and Peace & Conflict Studies. While enrolled at WCU, she was an active member of Students for Sensible Drug Policy as well as an AMPLIFY volunteer. This fall, Genevieve worked with the Drug Free Communities program in her area to re-write the drug curriculum for the Coatesville Youth Initiative in order to encourage open and honest communication about drugs as well as local harm reduction policies. Since this big project, Genevieve has started volunteering as an advocate with the Cannabis Patient Network. Genevieve works for Burton Snowboards, and lives with her husband in West Chester, PA.”

Emmett Smith – Galway, Éire, Republic of Ireland

[Bio Coming Soon!]

Christina Pickeral – Kensington, MD

“My name is Christina and I am happy to serve AMPLIFY as a Regional Organizer for the DC and DMV area. In 2008, I got involved with University of Maryland’s Student for Sensible Drug Policy and NORML chapter. From Fall of 2009-2010, I served as Vice President for University of Maryland’s NORML chapter. During then until the end of the Spring 2011 semester I helped planned events for University of Maryland SSDP and NORML chapter. One of my biggest accomplishments was throwing two Safe Raves at STAMP on University of Maryland’s campus. At the Safe Rave the University of Maryland chapter provided free water, and harm reduction information as a local DJ played. Spring of 2011 I was a intern at SSDP National’s office. After a little bit of a hiatus to focus on personal growth I am ecstatic to be working again in the field with AMPLIFY!“

Jeremy Sharp – Dahlonega, GA

“My name is Jeremy Sharp and I am a native of Georgia. I’m currently a student at the University of North Georgia where I serve as the President of our SSDP chapter. We work diligently to get info to students and our community pertaining to the negative effects of the War on Drugs. Myself and many of my peers have fallen victim to these inept draconian laws. I also work as a MJ advocate and lobbyist here in GA and advocate for Good Samaritan/Medical Amnesty laws in GA. I am currently a SE Regional Organizer for AMPLIFY and look forward to reaching out to people through local artist and venues.”

National Staff Additions:

Evan Eisenberg – Public Relations & Social Media Coordinator

“Evan Eisenberg first got involved with SSDP as a founding member of the University of South Florida chapter in Spring 2012. He was elected as the first chapter president, serving until Summer 2013 when he graduated with a degree in Sociology. Evan worked with Student Affairs administrators to pass a University Medical Amnesty Policy for USF System Campuses and was asked to write the first draft of the policy. Evan’s contributions to the Medical Amnesty campaign led administrators to create a position for him in the USF Wellness Center as an alcohol/other drug peer educator and general advisor to Wellness staff, focusing specifically on educating first-year students on alcohol and prescription drug use. Evan served as the only student member of USF’s Substance Education & Awareness Team (SEAT), advising the group of staff, administrators, and police officers on issues like underage binge drinking and club drug harm reduction.

Evan has been involved with the AMPLIFY Project since shortly after starting an SSDP chapter, becoming a Regional Organizer for Florida in 2012, notably leading an AMPLIFY team at the historic Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park for the first time in AMPLIFY’s history, fittingly at Purple Hatter’s Ball, held in remembrance of Rachel Hoffman’s vibrant life and tragic death after being pressured into working as a confidential informant by Tallahassee PD. In addition to serving on AMPLIFY’s staff, Evan is one of nine elected student members of SSDP’s international board of directors. Evan has written influential articles on how asset forfeiture laws are used to wage war on festival culture as well as other topics related to drug policy reform and harm reduction. When not advocating for drug policy reform, providing direct-service harm reduction at live music events, or writing, Evan has worked with the Jacksonville Beach-based C4 Collective as a workshop leader. The C4 Collective is a family of like-minded people seeking to co-create sacred spaces at festivals for intellectual and spiritual development through sessions including guided meditation, yoga, and discussions on topics from permaculture ethics to drug policy reform. Live music and drug policy reform/harm reduction are Evan’s major passions and AMPLIFY has provided an outlet to explore this unique relationship between artists and activism.”

Trevor Hosterman – Outreach & Merchandise Coordinator

“Trevor was first introduced to the drug policy movement in late 2009 when he helped co-found the West Chester University chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy. It was not long after that he was first introduced to the AMPLIFY Project. As an avid concert goer the union of drug policy reform advocacy, harm reduction and the live music experience was nothing more than ideal. Since that introductory experience Trevor has represented The AMPLIFY Project at over thirty concerts and festivals around the country becoming our CO Regional Organizer in 2012. He is stepping up to handle artist & volunteer outreach for some of our national artists in addition to helping in the creation of our brand new merchandise for 2014”

Kyle Hughes – Graphic Design & Social Media Coordinator

“Born in Northern VA, Kyle has resided in Richmond since 2010 and been involved with the VCU chapter Students for Sensible Drug Policy since 2011. After volunteering to run a few AMPLIFY tables, he quickly became enamored with bringing activism to the live music scene, and began helping the project generate social media content and became a Regional Organizer in 2012. He is currently taking an academic leave to explore the culinary arts while handling all our graphic design work and contributing to our social media outlets.”

Winter/Spring ’14 Tour Dates & Volunteer Trainings:

The time you have all been waiting for has finally arrived, the AMPLIFY Project is very pleased to announce our Winter/Spring tour schedule! Below you will see a comprehensive list of all shows we have secured our presence at this tour season, please look it over carefully to find any upcoming shows in your area. If you or your SSDP and/or DanceSafe chapter are interested in volunteering to promote & table for us please send an email to amplify@ssdp.org asap to secure your spot.

Remember though spots are filled on a first come, first serve basis and ALL volunteers must go through ONE of our online training courses before volunteering, unless previously trained last Fall. We have scheduled tons of sessions throughout February & March to get as many of you trained as quickly as possible so please click the links below to RSVP. If none of these dates work or you would like to schedule a group training for your entire SSDP and/or DanceSafe chapter we are always open to working around your schedule, please reach out to us asap to schedule these if needed.

Online Volunteer Training Sessions:

Monday, February 3rd @ 5PM MST

Tuesday, February 11th @ 6PM MST

Saturday, February 15h @ 12PM MST

Wednesday, February 19th @ 7PM MST

Sunday, February 23rd @ 4PM MST

Thursday, February 27th @ 5PM MST

Friday, March 7th @ 6PM MST

Winter/Spring ’14 Partnered Artist Tour Dates:

Umphrey’s McGee:

01/30/14 – Tennessee Theatre – Knoxville, TN

01/31/14 – LC Pavilion (Indoors) – Columbus, OH

02/01/14 – The Fillmore Detroit (State Theatre) – Detroit, MI

02/06/14 – Upstate Concert Hall (formerly Northern Lights) – Clifton Park, NY

02/07/14 – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel – Providence, RI

02/08/14 – F Shed at the Market – Syracuse, NY

02/09/14 – Harro East Ballroom – Rochester, NY

02/14/14 – Thomas Wolfe Auditorium – Asheville, NC

02/15/14 – The Fillmore Silver Spring – Silver Spring, MD

02/16/14 – The Fillmore Silver Spring – Silver Spring, MD

03/08/14 – Fox Theater – Oakland, CA

03/12/14 – Ashland Armory – Ashland, OR

03/13/14 – Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA

03/15/14 – The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA

03/20/14 – The Depot – Salt Lake City, UT

03/21/14 – Hard Rock Live – Las Vegas, NV

03/22/14 – Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ

04/02/14 – Ziggy’s – Winston-Salem, NC

04/03/14 – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater – Wilmington, NC

04/04/14 – North Charleston Performing Arts Center – Charleston, SC

04/05/14 – Iron City – Birmingham, AL

04/07/14 – Jessye Norman Amphitheater at the Riverwalk – Augusta, GA

04/08/14 – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA

04/16/14 – Saenger Theatre – Mobile, AL

04/17/14 – The Civic Theatre – New Orleans, LA

04/19/14 – Stubb’s – Austin, TX

EOTO (not confirmed as of 01/29):

01/30/14 – Met Cafe – Pawtucket, RI

01/31/14 – Rams Head Live – Baltimore, MD

02/01/14 – Theatre of Living Arts (TLA) – Philadelphia, PA

02/06/14 – Rex Theater – Pittsburgh, PA

02/07/14 – The National – Richmond, VA

02/08/14 – The NorVa – Norfolk, VA

02/12/14 – The Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY

02/13/14 – Toad’s Place – New Haven, CT

02/14/14 – Webster Hall – New York, NY

Papadosio:

02/27/14 – Tipitina’s Uptown – New Orleans, LA

02/28/14 – Last Concert Cafe – Houston, TX

03/01/14 – The Belmont – Austin, TX

03/02/14 – George’s Majestic – Fayetteville, AR

03/04/14 – Animas City Theatre – Durango, CO

03/05/14 – Belly Up Aspen – Aspen, CO

03/06/14 – Warren Station Center for the Arts – Keystone, CO

03/07/14 – Fox Theatre – Boulder, CO

03/08/14 – Fox Theatre – Boulder, CO

03/09/14 – Aggie Theatre – Fort Collins, CO

03/11/14 – Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ

03/12/14 – Orpheum Theater – Flagstaff, AZ

03/13/14 – Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA

03/14/14 – The Catalyst – Santa Cruz, CA

03/15/14 – Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA

03/20/14 – Olympia Ballroom – Olympia, WA

03/21/14 – The Crocodile – Seattle, WA

03/22/14 – Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR

03/23/14 – Domino Room – Bend, OR

03/27/14 – The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT

04/01/14 – The Waiting Room Lounge – Omaha, NE

04/02/14 – Mill City Nights – Minneapolis, MN

04/03/14 – Turner Hall Ballroom -Milwaukee, WI

04/04/14 – Deluxe at Old National Centre – Indianapolis, IN

04/05/14 – Concord Music Hall – Chicago, IL

04/06/14 – Headliners Music Hall – Louisville, KY

04/26/14 – Madison Theater – Covington, KY

Slightly Stoopid:

03/12/14 – Val Air Ballroom – Des Moines, IA

03/13/14 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN

03/14/14 – Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, IL

03/15/14 – The Rave/Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI

03/16/14 – Saint Andrews Hall – Detroit, MI

03/19/14 – House Of Blues – Cleveland, OH

03/20/14 – Madison Theater – Covington, KY

03/21/14 – LC Pavilion – Columbus, OH

03/22/14 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA

03/26/14 – The Klein – Bridgeport, CT

03/27/14 – State Theatre – Portland, ME

03/28/14 – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel – Providence, RI

04/19/14 – Red Rocks Amphitheater – Morrison, CO

04/25/14 – Marathon Music Works – Nashville, TN

04/26/14 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO

04/27/14 – George’s Majestic Lounge – Fayetteville, AR

04/30/14 – The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC

05/01/14 – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater – Wilmington, NC

05/02/14 – The Music Farm – Charleston, SC

Lotus:

01/22/14 – Higher Ground (Ballroom) – Burlington, VT

01/23/14 – Higher Ground (Ballroom) – Burlington, VT

01/24/14 – House of Blues – Boston, MA

01/25/14 – The Space at Westbury – Westbury, NY

01/26/14 – Toad’s Place – New Haven, CT

01/29/14- Water Street Music Hall – Rochester, NY

01/30/14 – Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH

01/31/14 – Royal Oak Music Theatre – Royal Oak, MI

02/01/14 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA

02/07/14 – The Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO

02/08/14 – The Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO

03/28/14 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA

03/29/14 – Buckhead Theatre – Atlanta, GA

04/18/14 – Ram’s Head Live – Baltimore, MD

04/19/14 – Ram’s Head Live – Baltimore, MD

Big Gigantic:

02/12/14 – The District – Sioux Falls, SD

02/13/14 – Orpheum Theatre – Madison, WI

02/14/14 – Skyway Theater – Minneapolis, MN

02/15/14 – The Rave/Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI

02/16/14 – Royal Oak Music Theatre – Royal Oak, MI

02/18/14 – Higher Ground (Ballroom) – Burlington, VT

02/19/14 – State Theatre – Portland, ME

02/20/14 – House of Blues – Boston, MA

02/21/14 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC

02/22/14 – The National – Richmond, VA

02/23/14 – The Music Farm – Charleston, SC

02/25/14 – Plaza Live – Orlando, FL

02/26/14 – The Ritz Ybor – Tampa, FL

02/27/14 – The Coliseum – Tallahassee, FL

02/28/14 – Jupiter Bar & Grill – Tuscaloosa, AL

03/01/14 – Orange Peel – Asheville, NC

03/02/14 – Freebird Live – Jacksonville Beach, FL

03/03/14 – Soul Kitchen – Mobile, AL

03/04/14 – The Lyric Oxford – Oxford, MS

03/05/14 – George’s Majestic – Fayetteville, AR

Rebelution (not confirmed as of 01/29):

02/04/14 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO

02/05/14 – Deluxe at Old National Centre – Indianapolis, IN

02/06/14 – Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH

02/07/14 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA

02/08/14 – Madison Theater – Covington, KY

02/12/14 – The Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA

02/13/14 – The Fillmore Silver Spring – Silver Spring, MD

02/14/14 – The NorVa -Norfolk, VA

02/15/14 – The NorVa – Norfolk, VA

02/16/14 – Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC

02/19/14 – The Music Farm – Charleston, SC

02/20/14 – Ziggy’s – Winston-Salem, NC

02/21/14 – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA

02/22/14 – The Cannery Ballroom – Nashville, TN

03/15/14 – Tempe Beach Park – Tempe, AZ

03/27/14 – Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ

03/28/14 – Hollywood Palladium – Los Angeles, CA

03/29/14 – Memorial Auditorium – Sacramento, CA

03/30/14 – Senator Theatre – Chico, CA

04/02/14 – Blue Lake Casino – Blue Lake, CA

04/03/14 – The Midtown – Bend, OR

04/04/14 – The Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR

04/05/14 – Knitting Factory Concert House – Spokane, WA

04/06/14 – Emerson Center for the Arts – Bozeman, MT

04/09/14 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN

04/10/14 – Turner Hall Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI

04/11/14 – Majestic Theatre – Madison, WI

04/12/14 – Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, IL

04/13/14 – Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA

04/16/14 – Saint Andrews Hall – Detroit, MI

04/17/14 – House Of Blues – Cleveland, OH

04/18/14 – Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, KY

04/19/14 – Bijou Theatre – Knoxville, TN

John Brown’s Body:

02/14/14 – The Connection – Snowshoe, WV

02/15/14 – Capital Ale House – Richmond, VA

02/16/14 – Visulite Theatre – Charlotte, NC

02/19/14 – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC

02/20/14 – The Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC

02/21/14 – Jack Rabbits – Jacksonville, FL

02/22/14 – Virginia Key Beach Park – Miami, FL

Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad:

02/22/14 – Rams Head Live – Baltimore, MD

Easy Star All Stars:

03/27/14 – Revolution Bar & Music Hall – Amityville, NY

Zoogma:

02/08/14 – The Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO (w/ Lotus)

02/27/14 – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA

The Malah:

02/15/14 – Cervantes’ Other Side – Denver, CO

The Motet:

02/06/14 – Last Exit Live – Phoenix, AZ

02/07/14 – 1102 W Grant – Tucson, AZ

02/08/14 – Winston’s – San Diego, CA

02/09/14 – The Mint – Los Angeles, CA

03/13/14 – The Animas City Theatre – Durango, CO

03/14/14 – Pac3 – Carbondale, CO

03/15/14 – Warren Station Center for the Arts – Keystone, CO

Jahman Brahman:

02/06/14 – Asheville Music Hall – Asheville, NC

02/20/14 – House of Blues – Myrtle Beach, SC

02/27/14 – Gerstle’s – Louisville, KY

02/28/14 – Skully’s Music Diner – Columbus, OH

D.V.S*:

02/14/14 – The Parish – Austin, TX

Dr. Slothclaw:

03/07/14 – VOMA – Johnstown, PA

03/14/14 – The Pickering Creek Inn – Phoenixville, PA

03/15/14 – Beer Mongers – Dallastown, PA

03/22/14 – The Still – Cedars, PA

03/29/14 – Boogie in the Bungalow – Hamburg, PA

04/05/14 – Celebration of Life Fest – Elysburg, PA

04/14/14 – The Depot – York, PA

IndigoSun:

02/01/14 – The Tonic Room – Chicago, IL

02/14/14 – Iowa City Yacht Club – Iowa City, IL

02/27/14 – Cubby Bear Wrigleyville – Chicago, IL

03/07/14 – Sammy’s Pizza – Kankakee, IL

Universal Rebel:

02/07/14 – Dublin Pub – Morristown, NJ

02/08/14 – Northern Soul – Hoboken, NJ

03/07/14 – Dublin Pub – Morristown, NJ

03/20/14 – Stadium Bar & Grill – Newtown, NJ

04/04/14 – Dublin Pub – Morristown, NJ

04/05/14 – Joys of Hemp Festival – Piscataway, NJ

04/12/14 – Northern Soul – Hoboken, NJ

04/19/14 – Triumph – New Hope, PA

04/25/14 – Greek’s – Andover, NJ

The Black Seeds: