This week marks the kick-off of the Chris Velan 1% for the Planet Tour.  Sponsored by Mountain Equipment Co-op, the tour spans Canada from Vancouver to Montreal throughout April.  1% member and musician Chris will be headlining the tour with performances in MEC stores and venues in seven cities, all focused on raising awareness of local environmental issues.  Representatives from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, a 1% non-profit recipient, will be on hand at each stop to share stories of progress made as a result of donations from 1% members like MEC.

Vancouver: April 1 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, Railway Club 8 PM

Edmonton: April 7 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, Haven Social Club 6 PM

Calgary: April 11 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, Marquee Room 8 PM

Winnipeg: April 14 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, Park Theater 8 PM

Ottawa: April 24 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, Zaphod Beeblebrox 8 PM

Toronto: April 28 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, C’est What 10 PM

Montreal: April 30 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, Petit Café Campus

Live nearby one of these cities?  We hope you’ll stop by to hear some great tunes and learn about the impact of 1% giving in your area. As an added bonus, the new 1% album will be available in MEC stores during April, so be sure to pick up a few copies!

After a running start to the year with a strong 1% presence at the Outdoor Retailer winter show and Sundance, we’re rolling into 2010 with an ambitious schedule of events from Montreal to Hawaii.

Where you can find us in 2010:

Natural Products Expo West Anaheim, CA March 12-14

Mountain Equipment Co-op/1% for the Planet Canadian Tour Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal April (See here for tour dates) Featuring 1% for the Planet member and musician Chris Velan performing in seven cities and MEC stores across Canada

Kokua Festival Honolulu, HI April 23-25 Jack Johnson (1% member #50) headlining, benefiting 1% recipient, The Kokua Foundation

Social Venture Network Spring Conference Stevenson, WA April 29-May 2

Ceres Conference Boston, MA May 5-6

Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility Spring Conference Burlington, VT May 17

Sustainable Brands Monterey, CA June 7-10

Slow Money National Gathering Shelburne, VT June 9-11

LOHAS Forum Boulder, CO June 23-25 1% is a proud sponsor of the 2010 LOHAS Forum

Forecastle Festival Louisville, KY July 9-12 Music, Art, and Activism on the banks of the Mississippi River

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Salt Lake City, UT August 3-6

Opportunity Green Los Angeles, CA October 6-8

Austin City Limits Austin, TX October 8-10

Natural Products Expo East Boston, MA October 14-16

We’ll keep you posted on any changes or additions to this list, as well as any international events staffed by our stellar volunteers.  Several of these events are likely to feature presentations by CEO Terry Kellogg, and 1% Board members, so be sure to stay tuned for updates.  Are you planning to attend any of these events? Have an event to suggest that’s missing from our list? Let us know—grace@onepercentfortheplanet.org or @1percentFTP