Happy Badger plans tsunami-relief benefit

1/28/2005

"Playing this instrument is a humbling experience. The minute you get arrogant, the minute you get cocky, you don't play [well]. It's a spiritual thing," said Eagle Cloud, who will perform Sunday at the start of a weeklong tsunami-relief fund-raiser at the Happy Badger Caf titled "What We Can Do."

Eagle Cloud's musical instrument is the "siyotanka," which is more commonly called a flute. But the East Toledoan is tapping into his Wyandot roots when he performs and prefers to use the tribal term for the wooden instrument.

Sunday's activities begin at 11 a.m. Eagle Cloud will open with a prayer ceremony. His musical performance is intended to promote healing, part of a full day's schedule of healing activities at the Happy Badger, including massage, reflexology, reiki, and readings.

Donna Cohen, who co-owns the Happy Badger with her husband, Alan, said she was inspired to organize the fund-raiser because so many customers wanted to help the victims of the southeast Asian tsunami.

"So many people were gung-ho to go to Asia. I told them it wasn't a good idea - that would just be more people they'd have to provide for. I figured, 'What can we do to help here in Ohio?' I wanted to give people a way to plug in."

There was such an outpouring of concern that the benefit stretches from Sunday to Feb. 6. The week's schedule includes concerts by:

●Members of the Toledo Symphony on Monday.

●Extra Stout, Asha, Ben Bregman, AntiVillains, and Unseasonably Cool on Tuesday.

●Groovemaster and Wrecking Crew with Doreen Robideaux on Wednesday.

●Deliverance, Phantasmagoria, and members of the Toledo School for the Arts on Thursday.

●Dooley Wilson, Sarah Cohen, Blue Moon, Jeff Traxler, Tim Oehlers Trio, and Your Basic Blues Band on Feb. 4.

●Drive!!, Catchpole, Juliette the Hunter, and Vandolah on Feb. 5.

●Alma Drum and Dance on Feb. 6. This day's activities begin at noon with a drumming circle.

The "What We Can Do" tsunami-relief fund-raiser takes place Sunday through Feb. 6 in the Happy Badger Caf, 1855 South Reynolds Rd. Activities begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, 6 p.m. Monday through Feb. 5, and noon on Feb. 6. Admission is $2 on Sunday and Feb. 6, and $7 Monday through Feb. 5. Proceeds go to the Save the Children foundation for tsunami relief efforts. Information: 419-389-0021 or www.thehappybadger.com.