In the wake of the devastation and destruction of Katrina, the only things that kept me from throwing up my hands in despair were stories like this – ordinary people just doing the right thing to help out their neighbors in a time of need.
Likewise, the performing arts community has been hopping the past couple of weeks with benefit concerts and fundraisers, emails with offers of temporary housing and assistance for displaced NOLA musicians and performing arts organizations.. but we were still taken aback when The Roots' management told us they'd be donating their performance fee this Friday to hurricanehousing.org. Several phone calls later, ALL of the artists performing this week were making pledges to Katrina relief organizations in one form or another.
The American Red Cross will be in attendance at all three Opening Week concerts ...
Tony Bennett (Thu 9/15)
The Roots with TV on the Radio, Deerhoof and Shawn Hewitt & The National Strike (Fri 9/16)
Solomon Burke with the MFSB Band (Sat 9/17)
... and we're honored to be involved.. more details to come.
No doubt, we're a long way from getting the people of the Gulf Coast back on their feet – and there are many questions that remain unanswered - but as long as ordinary folks are willing to pour out their hearts, wallets and labor trying to help their fellows, I can't help but think there's hope..
That is so awesome Jeff!!
This is great! The best email to pass my screen in months,thanks Jeff.