/UCWE/ Walker, MN - As Hurricane Rita tore up the Gulf Coast, flooding homes and property along the Texas and Louisiana shoreline, many northerners were stunned. From the safety of their living rooms, Minnesotans watched in disbelief as their Southern neighbors, once again, began coping with devastating loss.
A Northwoods group of musicians, artists, volunteers and the president of an events and adventures company have taken up the cause to aid the hurricane victims. The group is pooling their talents to extend assistance to families displaced by the two horrific hurricanes by producing a day-long music festival and art sale. The music festival will kickoff at noon on Sunday, October 9th, and will be held at the site of the popular northern Minnesota music festival Moondance Jam.
The upcoming event on October 9th is the brainchild of Pastor Duane Brown of the Longville Community Church. "When I was thinking what my friends and I could do, I realized that we're not wealthy or connected, nor are we celebrities or bigwigs high up on the food chain," Pastor Brown said. "We're merely some folks with some talent who want to use it to help those who really need it. Perhaps a little faith from some of us living in the Great Northwoods can move mountains in the Gulf."
Brown enlisted the aid of nationally-renown wildlife artist and musician, Sherry Heitz, who picked up the phone and started dialing. Heitz's first call was to Kiki and Greg Webb of the acoustic duo, dancing Light. The Webbs agreed to help by organizing the festival and booking talent.
"The musicians responded immediately and jumped on board," said Kiki Webb. "Some are even pulling double duty, helping out as volunteers and organizers." Though the regional event will raise only a small fraction of the resources needed to rebuild so many lives, Webb was optimistic. "In the great scheme of things, the proceeds from our music festival will be a drop in the bucket, but the ocean is vast and deep because of many small drops."
"There's strength in numbers," Heitz commented. She made a call to Marcy Hanson, owner of the Artisans and Crafters Mall in Walker. Hanson invited each of the mall's artists to donate artwork to be sold at the event. Once again, the response was decisive and unanimous. "We have 100 percent participation from our artists," she said. "Some are even donating more than one item. There are watercolors, oil paintings, jewelry, all kinds of artwork. These are caring artists who jumped at the chance to help out."
Bill Bieloh, owner and promoter of Moondance Jam, was waiting with open arms and open doors to his Moondance Saloon and Grill, located on the music festival fairgrounds near Leech Lake. "I was happy these guys contacted me," said Bieloh. "I've been wanting to help out with the hurricane relief effort, and this gives me an opportunity to pitch in." Moondance Jam Fairgrounds are located just east the intersection of Highway 200 and 371 in north central Minnesota between the towns of Walker, Hackensack and Longville.
Over 100 works of art and community donations will be included in a "Buy it Now or Take Your Chances" sale and raffle. The concert will feature the talents of Northern Minnesota musicians Sherry Heitz, dancing Light,Country Special, Donny Williams, Jim Burt, Kristi Morris and Jeff Kellogg, Paul Nye, Nette and Duane Brown, Isabel Karon and Will Much, Mike Chase, Drew Hines, Steve and Doyle Turner, Northwind Crossing, Nina Burke with Heather Doughty, and the Woodtick Band. Ryan Pels will emcee. Images of the heartbreak, disaster and human resolve will be projected by Duane Brown during the event.
All proceeds from the event will go to aid hurricane survivors and their families through the Salvation Army and Presbyterian Church USA.
To donate an item to this event call Sherry at (218) 547-4955
More info on the upcoming event online at
http://dancinglightmusic.com/katrina
