Local resident Andrew Garland organizes event, familiar local acts featured in program
KINGSTON, MA Issued February 16, 2010... International news of the disastrous earthquake devastating Haiti has inspired local resident and professional baritone vocalist Andrew Garland to spring into action. Next month, Garland will join other artists from across the region in a performance titled “Andrew Garland and Friends, Raising Their Voices in Song”, a benefit concert for the people of Haiti and First Parish Church. The performance will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 21st at First Parish Church Unitarian Universalist at 223 Main Street, Kingston. A reception will immediately follow at the Beal House, across the street from the church, where additional parking is available.
“When I first heard about the scope of the damage to Haiti, I understood the great difficulty the residents would face in accessing aid, especially in remote areas,” explained Garland, “That realization is what set this cause apart to me from other worldwide causes in need.” A resident of Kingston, Garland immediately made the decision to make this the focus of his 3rd benefit concert in association with First Parish Church. Concerts from previous years were designed to support a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity and First Parish Church, Garland’s family parish. First Parish benefits from 50% of the concert ticket sales as host for the concerts, while the remaining 50% of ticket proceeds and all other additional donations are directed 100% to the designated charity.
Previously, Garland’s local concerts have been a solo event, but the pressing need for aid to Haiti inspired him to expand this to other performers willing to support the cause. “This concert really is ‘Andrew Garland and friends’ – the idea spread to inspire industry acquaintances to climb on board,” said Garland. Consisting of an eclectic array of local talent based in all genres of music, the featured collaborators are engaged in the concept of reaching those victims of remote areas that larger charitable organizations may have trouble accessing.
Funds raised through the performance will be donated through Partners in Health (PIH), a medical clinic founded by a Boston doctor on the island of Haiti. Brigham & Women’s hospital based Dr. Paul Farmer founded PIH in 1987 and has been providing health services in Haiti for more than 20 years. Their mission as a non-profit provides “quality health care for the poor, serving needy countries with modern medical, and as an antidote to despair”. In Haiti alone, PIH has a major presence in the Central Plateau region employing 4,000 Haitian medical workers. More can be learned about PIH by visiting their website at www.pih.org . Half of all ticket revenues and 100% of all other donations received at the concert will be directly donated to Haiti relief through PIH.
Garland was also inspired by the newly formed service committee of the national Unitarian Universalist organization which provides leadership for providing disaster relief to Haiti. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) jointly with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) launched a joint effort to bring aid to the devastated island. To date, the organization has raised over $988,000 for the cause, according to their national website www.uua.org .
“Andrew Garland and Friends, Raising Their Voices in Song” will feature a wide range of musical performances ranging in style from classical, Celtic, choral, folk, pop and rock. Garland will be joined by other notable local artists including Angelica Dombrowski of Plymouth, Bonnie Pomfret of Rehoboth, Pookah Finn the Celtic/folk trio, the Belle Tones, Diana Cohen of Plymouth, Connected the band, Teddy Weckbacher of Kingston, and members of Pilgrim Festival Chorus of Plymouth. Pianists Hui-Min Wong and Elizabeth Chapman Reilly of Plymouth will accompany the performers.
Tickets to the performance are $25.00 at the door, or $20.00 by advance reservation by calling 781-585-3051. Donations will be accepted in person at the concert, or by mailing a check to First Parish Church, 222 Main St. Kingston, MA 02364 designated as a donation for the Haiti benefit.
