Two benefit events you should know about this week

The role of music as a tool to raise money for causes that are meaningful to me is close to my heart - many of you know that. So I want to let you know about three events - two this week (in fact, one today) that I hope you'd consider attending.

The first, that you can read about here is raising money for Parkinson's Disease awareness and research with the release of the CD, the Shaker's Sessions, that comes from a partnership between songwriter Rob Barteletti, the Brian Grant Foundation, and Burgerville.  Rob, with the creative assistance of producer, musician, and engineer Rob Stroup recorded twelve songs of Rob's that featured a different vocalist on each ... I'll let the following explain more:

“Shakers Sessions” is a compilation CD benefiting the Brian Grant Foundation. The album was created by local singer and songwriter Rob Barteletti, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2002. Wanting to make a benefit album for Parkinson’s patients, Barteletti recruited 12 Northwest vocalists to record the songs he wrote for the CD including Storm Large, Pete Droge, and Mike Coykendall. 

“Shakers’ Sessions” will be sold exclusively through Burgerville’s 38 restaurants for $10 with 100 percent of profits being donated to the Brian Grant Foundation.  

Burgerville, the Brian Grant Foundation, and Rob Barteletti will cohost a CD launch party for Burgerville Records’ first album, “Shakers’ Sessions”. The event is free and open to the public.

  The event is today from 3 - 7 pm at the Hawthorne Burgerville (1122 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd).  Hope you can drop by to hear some music, find out more about the project and buy a CD.

The second is happening this Thursday and is a benefit for local musician and music educator Reggie Houston.  Reggie is one of the most beloved New Orleans transplants living here in Portland.  I can't begin to tell you how much I like and respect Reggie's musical abilities, his deep knowledge of roots of American music, and his warmth and humanity.  Reggie is recovering from successful cancer surgery, but has medical bills and a loss of income for a while (he's one of the busiest musicians I know in town).  Friends and family have come together to put together a benefit concert this Thursday at the Old Church.  There will be food from Cannon's Rib Express, a silent auction and raffle, and a parade of amazing talent in support of a dear friend and collaborator.  Read more about Reggie and the benefit at Oregon Music News. If you can't come, you can also donate on Reggie's site. See ya there!


Oh, I should mention one more ...

I'll be posting more soon about this one for the Jeremy Wilson Foundation and the Oregon Food Bank that will be happening at the Alberta Rose Theater on November 26th.  It's called The Next Waltz:

A lineup of Portland all-stars sing and play the music from The Band's classic concert, movie and album as a benefit for the Jeremy Wilson Foundation and The Oregon Food Bank. Scheduled performers include Lewi Longmire, Holcombe Waller, Al James, James Low, Kris Deelane, Dan Haley, Joe McMurrian, Darrin Craig, Jim Brunberg, The Don of Division Street, Shook Twins, Jeremy Wilson and many more!

But you might want to get your tickets to this one soon, as it's expected to sell out.