Stephen Leonard · stephenleonard@withapen.com · 734.347.2564 

Chicago kicks off 2010 with Impact 2010: A Concert for Equality

Join the Impact Chicago hosts equality concert in honor of Stephen Leonard’s debut album release

CHICAGO, IL - January 11, 2010 –Join the Impact Chicago and local, independent singer/songwriter, Stephen Leonard, are coming together to kick off the new year with Impact 2010 - A Concert for Equality. Taking place on Wednesday, January 27, the concert aims to raise awareness along with providing a celebratory evening of live entertainment with the release of Stephen Leonard’s debut album, With a Pen—a compilation of songs that connect with some of the personal and public issues involved in the ongoing fight for equality.

“This has been a long time coming,” says Stephen Leonard.  “The release of this album is an exciting, personal step for me and I also see it serving as another leg in the local equality movement.  I am honored to share it as well as offer my support to Join the Impact Chicago.”

For Join the Impact Chicago, this night will mark the beginning of an exciting new season.

"Join the Impact Chicago worked hard in 2009 for full LGBT equality-- a number of marches, rallies, and legislative efforts in Chicago, and substantial organizing for the National Equality March," Matthew Zaradich of JTIC said. "We look forward to 2010 as the year we help to make equality a reality-- putting in the extra effort to continue our struggle toward a full and inclusive society."

The event will take place at popular Lakeview nightspot, Sidetrack (www.sidetrackchicago.com/) on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 from 8pm-10pm and includes an intimate live performance by Stephen Leonard and other special guest performers. Tickets are $20 at the door. The cost includes 2 drink tickets and a contribution to Join the Impact Chicago. Doors open at 7pm.

To sponsor Impact 2010 - A Concert for Equality, please contact Matthew Zaradich (matthewzaradich@gmail.com) or Stephen Leonard (stephenleonard@withapen.com).

About Join The Impact Chicago:

Founded shortly after the November 2008 election, Join the Impact Chicago is a grassroots organization whose purpose is to promote full equality for all citizens by raising awareness about issues surrounding the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, and promoting legislation to help attain equal rights. For more information about Join The Impact Chicago, please go to www.jointheimpactchicago.com. 

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About Stephen Leonard:

Chicago-based singer/songwriter, Stephen Leonard, infuses personal experience and self-discovery with commanding vocals to produce a new age-sound of acoustic rock.  His heart and vulnerability as both a storyteller and singer proves to be a step in an honest direction for independent music in 2010. Leonard’s politically charged single, Still Say No, is currently available for download from the benefit album, National Equality March (theoutclub.com and iTunes).  Every Tuesday, Leonard manages and hosts the weekly “Unpugged: An Acoustic Concert Series” at Wild Pug in Uptown and can be followed at http://www.facebook.com/stephenleonardmusic.

With a Pen, Album Description:

Stephen Leonard’s debut album, With a Pen, surrounds coming of age accounts of self-discovery, infatuation, politics and intoxication. “The album and title track reference experiences, whether perceivably good or bad, owning them and letting them build the basic confidence to move forward”, says Leonard.  With a Pen will be available on theoutclub.com and iTunes January 26.

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