LINCOLN — A trio of Vermont musicians led by a Lincoln woman will travel to Ethiopia next month to volunteer, perform and teach with One Love Theater, an Ethiopian organization that entertains people while it educates them.
The group is called Band of the Land, and it consists of three core members: Eli Goldman of Underhill, Dan Hibbs of Jericho, and Lillian Seibert of Lincoln. All three where born and raised in the Green Mountain State and currently live in central and northern Vermont.
They formed Band of the Land last summer while attending the Elders Gathering at the  Sunray Meditation Society Peace Village in Lincoln (this year’s gathering will take place this Friday through Sunday).
“Our sound combines elements of acoustic roots, rock, folk and conscious reggae,” Seibert explained. “Band of the Land draws inspiration from the natural world, activism around global issues and much more. Band of the Lands’ repertoire consists of original tunes written collaboratively in uplifting three-part harmony.”
She credited Matthew Schlein, founder and director of the Willowell Foundation and the Walden Project, for putting then band in contact with the One Love Theater and Aikido Ethiopia out of Hwassa, Ethiopia. One Love Theater uses theatrical performance, dance, gymnastics and music to shed light on topics such as HIV/AIDS, gender equality, female circumcision and abduction.
With the recommendation of Schlein, Band of the Land was invited to join One Love’s tour in August. Band of the Land will spend the first two weeks in Ethiopia in Hwassa, rehearsing, learning, teaching and jamming with the local community and theater troupe. The Willowell Foundation has provided band members with instruments to distribute amongst the children and musicians they will be working with.
During the final week in Ethiopia, Band of the Land will accompany the One Love Theater as they tour through Southern Ethiopia.
“This will be a great opportunity for Band of the Land to make a positive impact by assisting artists with limited resources, sharing and gaining knowledge with enthusiastic musicians, and promoting a constructive and important message,” Seibert said. “In doing so, we hope to establish positive connections through music.
As Band of the Land looks forward to the Aug. 2 departure date, fundraising is in motion. They are asking for donations from all who are interested, willing and able to donate. For more information on Band of the Land and how to donate, go online to www.gofundme.com/BandOTLandEthiopia.