How does a concerned group of people mobilize efforts and artistic talents to raise money for Haiti disaster relief in less than a week? Easy! It started with Stephen Marc Beaudoin and his vision to create an event like no other. One that would engage Portland’s creative community. One that would encourage the audience to give in order to assist those in serious need. One that would heighten awareness of the Haiti disaster. Beaudoin’s initial goal was to raise $25K for Mercy Corps, so he partnered with Aladdin Theatre’s Tom Sessa who generously offered up the venue, his staff, and 100% of the ticket sales for a star-studded evening of musical performance. As soon as Thomas Lauderdale got involved in rustling up even more talent, it was set. And it was three hours of amazing musical performance from Portland Cello Project, Thomas and China from Pink Martini, Storm Large, Holcombe Waller, Jun Iwasaki and Grace Fong-Iwasaki, Flash Choir, PHAME Academy, and Grant High School Royal Blues choirs, Erin Charles and Douglas Webster, Cool Nutz, Linda Hornbuckle, Janice Scroggins, and more. MCs for the sold-out show were Oregonian columnist Margie Boule and KOIN 6 Portland reporter/meteorologist Tim Joyce. (Read his description of the event on his blog.)
The more is the really good part. More at the Songs for Haiti benefit meant not only more music and talent, but more involvement (sold-out show, generous staff and performers), more money raised (the Ray Hickey Foundation had agreed to match up to $50,000 but then lifted that cap halfway through the program; Tom Sessa presented $23,000+ in total ticket sales), more solidarity (at the event start, we observed the Haitian national anthem, and sang every verse of Amazing Grace together, to close the evening), more awareness and compassion (to the current and tragic devastation, to how fragile life is). The program was rich and lively. The MCs kept things moving along. The performances were outstanding. The audience eagerly participated through singing, dancing, and responding with their hearts and generous donations. (If you were unable to attend, you can read more about the performances with KGW's day-after wrap up; on Oregon Music News; and The Oregonian’s report.)
This weekend “artists, supporters and friends” received a heartfelt email from Beaudoin, thanking all for their efforts in making the “the amazing, life-affirming, hugely
impactful show” a reality, and calling out that “this event spoke to the heart of what Portland is about as a city, as a community. Each of us brought the very best that we could, as artists and donors and promoters and visionaries.” Artistic and audience participants alike will most certainly agree with his sentiment. People showed up–in body, in spirit, in generosity. We rallied. We rose to the occasion. We surpassed the initial challenge and rose far beyond what anyone could have predicted raising six times the hoped $ amount for Mercy Corps. This outpouring of generosity is what truly connected us all; the music was merely a beautiful vehicle to get us there.
Beaudoin’s email ends: “Let's make sure we're coming together as musicians not only in moments of crisis, but in moments of celebration and joy, too.” Portland most certainly came together to honor and celebrate for the Songs for Haiti benefit last week. Let’s keep that spirit alive so we may continue to propel each other forward in our community and beyond.
Songs for Haiti: Benefit concert to support Haiti disaster relief
100% of all proceeds went to Mercy Corps
Thursday, January 21, 2010 – 7:30 p.m. Aladdin Theater, Portland
Top photo: Cool Nutz by Carla Axtman
