The public is invited for an evening of music and solidarity with Puerto Rico at the “People for Puerto Rico Benefit Concert” on Sunday, November 5, from 5-9 pm at the Historic Ashland Armory. The event is for all ages and there will be a designated area with adult beverages available as well. Organizers are asking for $20 or larger donations at the door. They will also be selling raffle tickets with enticing prizes, including a guitar, music, gift certificates for massage, and much more.
When Hurricane Maria reached Puerto Rico, it pummeled the island and destroyed homes, hospitals, schools, and most of the island’s power grid. A month later, residents in many locations across the island still lack access to food, potable water, shelter, and medical attention.
Local musicians and activists Alice DiMicele and Greg Frederick teamed up to plan something to help, as they did after disasters in Haiti, Japan, and Nepal. “After searching countless websites and non-profit organizations,” says DiMicele, “we found an opportunity to make a big difference without just throwing money into the pockets of a big organization with a CEO who has a six-figure salary.”
DiMicele’s brother-in-law, Randy Ortiz, is going to Puerto Rico next month with a group of business people and volunteers from Atlanta to help rebuild schools and medical facilities and to help distribute much needed aid to the most vulnerable.
Asha Deliverance and her Ashland-based company Pacific Domes and Eric Hansen at True South Solar have offered to supply domes and solar systems at cost. Ortiz and his team will deliver them to the island. These domes will provide instantly solid shelters, schools, and community centers. Remaining cash from the event will be donated to the Hispanic Federation, which is leading the way in bringing relief aid to Puerto Rico.
DiMicele says, “I called Vince Herman from Leftover Salmon, who recently moved to Ashland, and asked him to help. His answer, a resounding ‘Yes!’ So Herman will headline the event and will sit in with the Alice DiMicele Band and also local bluegrass band 33 String Drive.”
Greg Frederick’s two bands — LEFT and The Rogue Suspects — are on the bill along with a bevy of local talent including: Inger Jorgenson and Paul Turnipseed, Phoenix Sigalove, Diane Patterson, B Wishes and Jack Hopfinger, Frankie Hernandez, Bishop Mayfield, Shybo Torres, and Marc Gostnell.
Event sponsors include Havurah Shir Hadash Synagogue, Live at the Armory, United Way of Jackson County, ORD2 Indivisible, and Hilltop Music Shop.
Any group or church that would like to be a sponsor for the event or would like to send volunteers to help should contact Alice DiMicele at .
About some of the musicians:
• Vince Herman is a guitarist and singer best known as one of the founding members of Leftover Salmon and Great American Taxi. His infectious stage presence and humor engage his audiences and leave them overjoyed and wanting more.
• Alice DiMicele is a singer/songwriter and acoustic guitar player who seamlessly works jazz/blues phrasing and R&B and rock & roll rhythms into a broadened Folk/Roots/Americana sound she calls “Organic Acoustic Groove.” For more than 30 years, Alice has been bringing her wide-ranging vocal prowess, humor, and distinctive guitar style to festival stages, theaters, clubs, and house concerts.
• LEFT is a labor of love comprised of five of Southern Oregon’s most accomplished and creative players who came together in support of the original music written by singer/songwriter Bret Levick. LEFT: Greg Frederick on bass, Don Harriss on keys, Bob Evoniuk on slide guitar and Matt Terreri on percussion. Levick’s music can be heard on television’s top hit shows “Lucifer,” “Shameless,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Sons of Anarchy,” and more.
• The Rogue Suspects have been Southern Oregon’s premier musical act for 18 years. Whether appearing with or behind rock and rolls’ who’s-who or gracing the most prominent stages in the area, the Suspects have earned the honor of being named the Rogue Valley’s favorite band over and over. The Rogue Suspects: Shae Celine, Greg Frederick, Dirk Price, Don Harriss, and David Bolen.
