Update: The contest is over, unfortunately Maria did not win.  Thanks for all your votes!

There are only 2 days left to vote for Maria in the Virgin Mobile FreeFest Book the Band contest!  You can only vote once per email address so be sure to use every one you have. Then ask your mom, dad, sister, brother, cousin…anyone you know to take a minute and do the same.  Voting ends on August 30th at midnight.  Let’s make Maria #1 and get her in front of 45,000 screaming fans this September!

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Maria is one of the five finalists in the Virgin Mobile FreeFest Book the Band contest!  Now she needs our votes to win the ultimate prize…playing the opening set at the “Free’d Out” 2010 Virgin Mobile FreeFest.  Head on over to Maria’s voting page and click “Download” to cast your vote.  You can download every day from now until August 30th.  The winner will be announced on August 31st.  Let’s help get Maria in front of 40,000 screaming fans this September at FreeFest!

Update 1: Maria needs our votes now more than ever.  You can only vote once per email address so if you happen to have more than one, be sure to use them all!

Update 2: Maria will be live on the air at this link on Friday from 11:45am – 12:15pm EST.

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On November 4, 2008 Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The defeat provoked a groundswell of initiative within the GLBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response.

The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska (http://www.bouska.net) and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with “NOH8″ painted on one cheek in protest.

Nearly two years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to over 5,500 faces and continues to grow at an exponential rate. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more.

The NOH8 Campaign has received overwhelming support from around the world, appearing on various local and national news programs and publications. The images are currently being used on various social networking sites to spread the message of equality, predominantly Facebook and Twitter. Eventually the images are expected to be compiled for a large-scale media campaign.

If you’d like to learn more about the NOH8 Campaign and make a donation, please visit their website.

Maria uploaded photos on Facebook from 2004 when she was a Hawaiian Tropic model.  The album is called “Once upon a time….” and she looks absolutely beautiful!  Check them out and don’t forget to “Like” Maria on Facebook!

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While most Myspace users have moved onto Facebook, it’s still a great place for musicians and people who like to discover new music. That’s why Maria has created an official Myspace account for herself. Head on over and check it out.

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Maria uploaded new Facebook photos today in an album titled “Yellow/Red”.  She also updated her music Facebook with new pics of her rocking out to the drums.  Make sure you “Like” her Facebook pages.  By the way…have you voted for her yet today?

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Cool shirts made by semi-cool guys, who also happen to be Maria’s good friends.  Head on over to ZBTees.com to check out their t-shirt line!

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Virgin Mobile has teamed with Sonicbids to find an up and coming indie band to open for FreeFest in September.  The top 20 bands will perform in front of Virgin Mobile judges.  On August 23rd the judges will announce the top 5 finalists for the music download final round of voting.  By downloading a track from your favorite band (Maria), you’ll be casting your vote for them to play in front of 40,000 music fans at Virgin Mobile FreeFest!  The winner will be announced on August 31st.

You have from today until August 19th to get Maria into the Top 20. Thanks to you, Maria is currently already in the #1 spot!  You can vote once per day, lets help keep Maria #1 and get her in front of 40,000 screaming fans this September!

Update: Maria wrote a blog post about the contest on her official website.  Check it out!

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Maria just posted a new photo album on her Facebook music page titled “Home”.  She is surrounded by books, her keyboard and pads of paper.  It’s really cool to see how she goes through the music making progress.  Check out the beautiful new photos and be sure to “Like” her music page!

Update: Maria uploaded even more photos to her Facebook, including some from Hawaii.  Check them out!

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