Summer of Songs
Celebrate sun, friends and music with Afghanaid's Summer of Songs
Whether you love to sing, dance or listen to music Afghanaid has come up with the perfect way for you to celebrate summer AND fundraise for Afghanaid at the same time!
Love to sing?
Whatever type of music you like to sing or play, here are some ideas about how you can join Afghanaid's Summer of Song in 2011. Remember, everyone who performs or holds an event gets a free copy of PUTUMAYO world music CD ‘Café Sampler'.
Try busking: This is a very easy way to make money. What's more, it can be lots of fun. All you need is your music and a spot in a busy town or city. Simply follow the tips in the Afghanaid guide to busking (click to download).
Put on a concert: Have you always wanted to headline a gig but never had the opportunity? Follow the simple tips in our Afghanaid guide to arranging a concert and you'll soon have everyone in your local pub or village hall cheering for an encore. If you're a member of a choir or band, ask if you can hold a collection for Afghanaid at your next concert. We can send you collection tins and leaflets to help with this. Click here to download the Afghanaid guide to arranging a concert
Break a record: If you think you can recite the words to the first verse of your favourite song in less than 7.91 seconds you could grab yourself a Guinness World Record! For inspiration on other records you could get sponsored to attempt visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com. When you've picked your challenge and set a date, download an Afghanaid Record Breakers Sponsorship Form and start collecting donations.
Party on: If record breaking sounds too extreme, try raising money for Afghanaid the easy way. Simply invite some friends around and hold a Summer of Songs house party or BBQ. Take a look at our Afghanaid party tips (click here) for advice on how to get your party off to a flying start.
However you celebrate this summer, send us some pictures or a video of your event and we might feature it on our facebook page.
Love to listen?
Veronica Doubleday and John Baily to be featured at our Busking event in July. (See our Summer of Songs event page for more information)
If you prefer listening to music than performing, try one of these ideas this summer. Remember, everyone who performs or holds an event gets a free copy of PUTUMAYO world music CD ‘Café Sampler'.
Put on a concert: If you know a good local band you like to listen to, ask them if they'd be able to do a charity concert sometime this summer. Then follow the simple tips in our Afghanaid guide to arranging a concert (click to download). If you're struggling to find a band, try searching www.myspace.com. 
Give it a go: If you're known for never singing, not even on a karaoke night out, imagine the surprise on your friends' faces when you tell them you've decided to sing for Afghanaid! Pick a song you know you can sing, pick a date and location that will have maximum impact (your work canteen on a Friday lunchtime, perhaps?!) and print off the Afghanaid Summer of Songs Sponsorship Form (click to download).
Party on: Raise money for Afghanaid the easy way. Simply invite some friends around and hold a Summer of Songs house party or BBQ. Take a look at our Afghanaid party tips for advice on how to get your party off to a flying start.
Hold a quiz: Pick 40 songs at random from your own music collection. Play the first 10 seconds to your friends and see who gets the most correct. You can intersperse the tracks with quiz questions taken from the internet. You could also do this as a public event in your local pub. Why not ask the regular quiz host if you can have a 10 minute slot to do a charity music round? Ask all participants to donate £1 to Afghanaid. If you can find more than 211 people to play you could set a new world record!
Join us on the Southbank: Afghanaid staff and supporters will be performing at the Southbank Centre on 10 July (see the Summer of Songs events page for more details). We need people to come and watch and also volunteers to hand out leaflets. If you can help please contact Ffion on Ffion@afghanaid.org.uk or 020 7065 0825.
Love to dance, act or perform magic tricks? 
Afghanaid's Summer of Song isn't limited to singers. If you have a talent for performing you can still have a go at any of ideas listed above. Why not have a sponsored Dance Marathon (download an Afghanaid danceathon sponsorship form here) or perform your magic tricks in the streets (read our tips for buskers)? You could also organise a play or a dance event such as a community ceilidh or disco. Take a look at the Afghanaid guide to arranging a concert (click to download) and contact Ffion (Ffion@afghanaid.org.uk / 020 7065 0825) if you need any further advice.
Donate
Don't forget you can also donate to the Afghanaid Summer of Songs appeal through this website or by texting Afghan5 to 70700.
Free CD for all performers and organisers
What could be better than an afternoon in the sun, surrounded by friends and your favourite music? If that's not enough to whet your appetite, all performers and event organisers will receive a free copy of PUTUMAYO world music CD‘Café Sampler' (while stocks last).