Hackney Refugee and Migrant Support Group are holding a benefit event to raise funds for campaign work for vulnerable migrants and refugees in Hackney.

For more information about the work of the campaign group visit: http://hrmsg-online.ning.com/

We have an amazing line-up of drama, music and comedy:

7.30pm - Doors open

8.00pm - The Illegals - Drama piece by Ice and Fire

8.30pm - Leon Rosselson - singer-songwriter

9.00pm - Seb Rochford + Guests - jazz drummer

9.30pm - Break - raffle draw

10.00pm - Ivor Dembina - Jewish comedien

10.30pm - Electric Landladies - 5 decades of music

Compere - Dave Rosenberg

The 'ELECTRIC LANDLADIES':

Laka Daisical vocals, keyboard

Sarah Pritchard, vocals / percussion

Deirdre Cartwright, guitar

Diane McLoughlin, keyboard / sax

Alison Rayner bass / vocals

Ann Day drums

Between them, the individual members of the band have been at the core of nearly every memorable women’s group in this country including Jam Today, Sisterhood of Spit, Hi Jinx, Di's New Outfit, The Guest Stars, Emma Peel Fan Club etc. They have the rare quality of combining impeccable musicianship with raw energy and great grooves. The Electric Landladies play tamla, soul and 60s rock, funky 70s dance floor hits, 80s electro pop right up to the present day. Music of five decades all played with infectious energy by six of London's top women musicians.

Seb Rochford:

Seb Rochford has worked extensively with Joanna MacGregor and Andy Sheppard and co-leads the band Fulborn Teversham with Pete Wareham and has an improvising duo with Leafcutter John. He also has a solo project called Room of Katinas.

He has drummed for Pete Doherty, with his band Babyshambles, in the early days of the band, and has continued to make guest appearances with them. Recently Seb has been working with Brian Eno, Corrine Bailey Rae and Herbie Hancock. As well as bands such as: Acoustic Ladyland, Oriole, Menlo Park, Ingrid Laubrock Quintet and also leads Polar Bear, both part of the F-IRE Collective.

www.myspace.com/sebastianrochford

Seb won the BBC Jazz Award for best newcomer in 2004, and has been nominated as best musician in 2006. He has also been nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2005 and 2007.

Leon Rosselson:

Leon Rosselson is an acclaimed singer and songwriter as well being the author of 17 children's books.

http://www.leonrosselson.co.uk/

Ivor Dembina:

London based Jewish comedian who uses the traditional flavour of Jewish humour to tackle tricky subjects.

For more information, visit: www.thinkbeforeyoulaugh.com

See a recent article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2010/mar/16/ivor-dembina-parliament-standup

'The Illegals' - Ice and Fire:

Personal accounts from undocumented migrants living and working in London.

Who are the 'illegals'? Why are they here? What do they do? By presenting their diverse and illuminating experiences, The Illegals gives a platform to the individuals behind the stereotype.

Some audience responses after the launch of The Illegals:

'This is a revelatory play which told me about the true story of migrants beyond the stereotypical media clichés.'

'It made me think about London in a different, unfamiliar way - just how pervasive and ignored these workers are. How easy it is for unscrupulous employers to exploit these people - people with 'papers' need to stand up for them.'