ATTENTION SONGWRITERS!                                                     

   SING FOR HOPE & JUSTICE

There’s $10,000 in prizes if you write one of the winning Tejano/Latino songs advocating against racism and bigotry and encouraging progressive action against Arizona’s anti-immigration law and similar actions like it throughout the nation. 

The prizes, all cash or a prepaid Visa check card, are $6,000 for first prize, $2,000 second prize, $1,200 third prize and $800 for fourth place.

This songwriting contest – sponsored by Dr. Paul Ruiz and Margaret Vasquez-Ruiz -- is open to all South Texas composers and the types of music genres that are eligible are Tejano, conjunto, cumbia, ranchera, corrido, mariachi, pop, and rap. 

The original protest songs should capture the hopes and dreams of peoples everywhere who seek justice for fellow immigrant persons and families.  Songs should serve to advocate against bigotry, educate and inform the general public and Latino community, in particular, about the racism embedded in Arizona-like immigration law.  And, advance the hopes, dreams and pride of all, especially immigrants and all righteous peoples in our nation.

Compositions must be written and recorded on CD format. They do not need to be of commercial quality.  A panel of judges will screen all entries and select the 15 best songs.  These recordings may be given air time on local radio stations prior to the formal performance in late June.

The "Top 15" songs will be performed live on the weekend of September 3, 2010 at a local venue in San Antonio, Texas.  Each of the top 15 contestants will perform their respective songs before a live audience.

A second panel of judges will select the top four songs and the winners will be announced that same evening.  

Contestants must also make a legal note of the fact that the sponsors of this contest reserve the right to revoke awards if any submission is found to be plagiarized or improper in any manner inconsistent with the law, or not enough entries are submitted to make the contest worthwhile.  In exchange for being considered in this contest, the contestants/composers agree to give the sponsor permission to print and/or record the compositions, individually or collectively, with proceeds from sales going to support charitable causes of the sponsor’s choosing. 

A major press conference was held on June 8 at the Guadalupe Culural Arts Center and many local and international artist were in attendance in support of Dr. Ruiz and his contest. Musicians and Actors alike were excited that SOMEONE finally stepped up to the mic and took a leadership position here in San Antonio. All the major networks were there including print publications including Mr. Tino from La Prensa and you can always count on us at River City Attractions.com to be there.

Dr.Ruiz discusses "Sing for Justice Contest" on  Kens 5. here                                                                                                                                                  "Sing for Justice Contest" on Fox  here    on Univision  here         more    mysa blog here                                      

>------------>---------->Listen to the music entries  submitted<-----<----<  

      Radio Bilingue, and Linea Abierta have scheduled a phone interview with him at his home on Tuesday, August 3, from 2 to 3 pm, with hostess Ms. Chelis Lopez.  The show will be aired live by 60 affiliates nationwide. Please tune in....                                                                                                                                                                                                              

We at  River City Attractions 100% fully endorse this cause and are Privileged to be a part of this effort.....

New compositions, along with a completed registration form, must be mailed to Dr. Paul Ruiz, Chairperson, 222 Melliff Dr., San Antonio, Texas   78216-7129 and received by the 5 p.m. deadline on  July 18. They can also be e-mailed to  margaret-ruiz@sbcglobal.net.

For more information call (210) 979-0575

Thanks to all the Artist and those that flew in for the Press Conference in support of  Dr.Paul Ruiz &  Margaret Vasquez-Ruiz

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PRESS RELEASE                                              JUNE 6, 2010

WHAT: PRESS CONFERENCE for Sing for Hope and Justice Songwriting Contest, a most unique musical contest and recording project in protest of Arizona Senate Bill 1070.

WHEN – WHERE: Tuesday, June 8, 2010, 10:30 a.m., the historic Guadalupe Theater at the northwest corner of S. Brazos and Guadalupe streets, San Antonio, Texas.

WHO: Dr. Paul Ruiz and Mrs. Margaret Ruiz, founders, will announce the Sing for Hope and Justice Songwriting Contest with prizes totaling $10,000. Facilitating the Press Conference will be Former City Councilwoman and local activist Maria Antonietta Berriozabal. Special guests include Tino Durán, publisher of La Prensa de San Antonio; Little Joe (tentative), Adalberto, Michael Salgado, Ram Herrera, Raulito Navaira, Patsy Torres, Rosalinda Risso, Juan Manuel Ayala of Los Humildes, Rene Rene, Ruco Villarreal, Gilbert Rodríguez of the Bluenotes, Nick Villarreal, Elio Quintanilla, Rita Vidaurri, Red Gonzales of the Reno Bops plus gospel singer María Elena and television personalities such as "Survivor Fiji’s" Rita Verreos and Brandy López of Latin Fusion TV. Many other Chicano and Mexican singers, who didn’t confirm in time for this e-mail, will also be on hand to show their opposition to the Arizona law and express support for the songwriting contest. They will also be available for interviews after the press conference.

The main guideline for this contest is that the tune must address the controversial new immigration law in Arizona decrying it’s injustice in any music genre and it may be bi-lingual or 100% Spanish.

WHY: Days after the law – which essentially established racial profiling as a legal practice to curb illegal immigration in the United States – was passed, Gloria Estefan, a Cuban, headlined an Illegal Immigrant "Reconquista" rally in Los Angeles. And Shakira, a Colombian, headed straight to Ryan Seacrest’s radio show to express her concern. Then she went to Phoenix where she joined Mayor Phil Gordon to protest the Grand Canyon State’s oppressive new law.

Jennifer López, Ricky Martín, Amaury Nolasco and Residente, all Puerto Rican plus Sofia Vergara (Colombian) – all using Tweeter -- spoke out against this repulsive act. Juanes, another Colombian, is asking singers all over the world to support a boycott on Arizona.

To date Mexican American celebrities who have made public statements against this law are Eva Longoria-Parker, Jessica Alba, Ozomatli and George López – all via Tweeter.

Other artists of Mexican descent to take it one step further have been Linda Ronstadt, Little Joe and Zack de La Rocha of Rage Against the Machine, who led a protest march in Phoenix – plus Jenni Rivera, who is doing a protest contest; and Mexia who has recorded a hip hop protest tune.

We are inviting other TEJANO ARTISTS to join Little Joe and step up and speak out. Join the protest now.

HOW: Hence the reason for the Ruiz’s songwriting contest – to get TEJANOS involved in this gross injustice during a time when "brown" means "illegal", and also to unite our Tejano artists in song against the Arizona law. Mexican singers will also be on hand to show their opposition to the Arizona law, and express support for the songwriting contest.

For more information call Dr. Paul Ruiz or Margaret Ruiz at (210) 979-0575.

PRESS RELEASE