Musicians Mobilize to Beat Economic Challenges Facing a NYC Master-Craftsman

Contact: Marianne Jaycox

646.678.7490

AlkemydiaCreative@gmail.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Musicians Mobilize to Beat Economic Challenges Facing a NYC Master-Craftsman

Concert for Hayko Fine Rugs and Tapestries to Benefit Unlikely and Beloved Showcase Venue for Roomful of Sky's Top Talent

NEW YORK, New York - June (date sent), 2009 - On Saturday, June 13, 7-10PM, some of the city's top musicians from the Roomful of Sky Records family will gather at the Meta Center at 214 West 29th Street on the 16th floor to support their unlikely and beloved Upper East Side performance venue, Hayko Fine Rugs and Tapestries. Nine acts will play a full night of "living room style" music to raise awareness and funds to support their friend Hayko Oltaci, one of the world's leading authorities on oriental rugs, and ensure the continued prosperity of his business - a carpet restoration, repair and retail shop. Ticket sale proceeds ($15 in advance/$20 at the door - $5 less with student I.D.) and a referral incentive (5% commission for anyone referring a sale) will help Hayko address possible challenging times ahead, as his friends help him prepare to rise above the city's economic downturn and avoid the financial plight plaguing increasing numbers of small business-owners.

When Phil and the Roomful of Sky family considered the city's economic situation and the possible effects on Hayko's operations, they decided to organize to ensure that Hayko's craftsmanship and his arts patronage would continue to thrive despite potential imminent challenges, and the idea for the "Save Hayko's" benefit concert was born. Performers will include accomplished folk/pop singer-songwriter of San Francisco fame, Noe Venable; alternative soul musician Bobby Kane, the male/female duo Kitch, Rich Casella of "guitar wizard" notoriety, bluesy multi-instrumentalist Jason Vitelli; Jessica Lee, edgy vocalist with 5-piece pop band; 5-piece southern blues band Katie Letts, Korean pop star JJ Bang, and Roomful of Sky president and Springsteenesque singer-songwriter Phil Robinson. In keeping with the ambiance of Hayko's shop, Jodi Serota, president of the Meta Center and the Roomful of Sky team have decided to decorate the Meta Center as a Turkish style salon, replete with candles, antique draperies and oriental rugs, as a backdrop for the event performances. All attendees will be automatically entered into a raffle to win an authentic antique Turkish carpet valued at $1,000.

Hayko Fine Rugs and Tapestries, unbeknownst to many urbanites, is transformed in the evenings into one of the city's most unique performance spaces for intimate creative collaboration. Hayko, a Turkish-born Armenian old-world artisan with a special gift for carpet restoration and repair, opened up his space to Roomful of Sky Records president Phil Robinson and his colleagues, for intimate shows and gatherings, after they met at one of Phil's salon-like Culture Circle events three years ago. Hayko, who had evidenced both talent and passion for art and music himself as a youth, recognized an opportunity to support the arts by inviting Phil and his creative community to gather at his store in the evenings, rather than in the rented spaces they were accustomed to using. Delighted to provide a unique venue for the city's burgeoning creative talent to socialize and perform with and for one another, Hayko explains, "the experience of people making music among the oriental rugs and lamps gives a beautiful feeling. I love music; it gives me courage and energy, and I use it to pray." "I am thankful to have such people in my life," Hayko states. "When I came to New York, I did not know the language and had no family here. Then I met Phil and his friends. I knew I wanted to help them, and I knew maybe someday they would help me too. That time is now, and I am grateful. Says Phil, "Playing at Hayko's allows established and new talent to come together in a supportive and uniquely intimate environment. We want to show Hayko how much his friendship means to us."

To RSVP and for more information visit: haykos@roomfulofsky.com or call 917-583-0523.

Hayko Fine Rugs and Tapestries is owned and operated by Hayko Oltaci,. With more than 30 years experience gained in the leading ateliers of Istanbul, Strasbourg, Paris and New York, Hayko is an international expert in fine oriental rugs and tapestries in the world. His workshop and sales showroom at 857 Lexington Avenue in New York City contains some of the finest examples of the ancient art of weaving, in all price ranges from museum quality pieces to one-of-a-kind rugs for as little as a few hundred dollars. Hayko also offers rug-weaving classes. For more information, visit www.hayko.com/index.html.

Roomful of Sky is an umbrella organization for two thriving companies which combine art and commerce by taking a grass-roots and do-it-yourself approach to business: Roomful of Sky Records, an indie music label and Roomful of Sky Events, a New York-based entity facilitating community collaboration. For more information, visit www.roomfulofsky.com.



###