AROUND TOWN

Entertainment is focus of ‘note-worthy’ events

7/24/2014
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • Barbara-Hendel-2


    • Music was the focus for several recent fundraisers.

     

    From left, Angie Edwards, Tierra McKinney, Joe Oberster, and Wayne Henderson, stand outside Manhattan’s at the SoundTrek music festival.
    From left, Angie Edwards, Tierra McKinney, Joe Oberster, and Wayne Henderson, stand outside Manhattan’s at the SoundTrek music festival.

    THE 4th annual SoundTrek live local music festival July 19 on Adams Street was presented by The Arts Commission. The diverse line up of 37 bands and performers featured everything from rock, pop, and hip-hop to blues, jazz, R&B, Americana, and bluegrass.

    Tyler Fowler, left, and Maddie Sensenstein during SoundTrek in Uptown.
    Tyler Fowler, left, and Maddie Sensenstein during SoundTrek in Uptown.

    There were 10 venues along Adams Street, including the Main Library, Wesley's, Manhattan's, Toledo School for the Arts, The Attic, Truth Gallery, Ottawa Tavern, and more.

    Entertainment included: Raq the Casbah, Stonehouse, Old State Line, Jeff Stewart, Quickness, The Homeville Circle, The Gazebo, Nathan Roberts & The New Birds, Estar Cohen Project, Heavy Color, Dooley Wilson, Buddy Boy Slim & the Blues Rockers, Ruth Nichols Trio, Katie's Randy Cat, Elevated Thinkin' and many more.

    The event, attended by about 1,000 people, raised $2,500.

     

    HEART for Haiti, a fundraiser July 19 at The Blarney Event Center, showcased talent from over 20 local and regional artists, as well as live performances by Toledo talent, including Jeremy Holloway, Earl Cookie, Angel Tipping (from The Midnight Flowers), Dooley Wilson, Citizen Banned, and The Right Angles.

    Local businesses, including Chipotle and Jimmy John’s, provided foods. Adding to the fun were caricature drawings by Isaac Klunk, and a raffle drawing with multiple prizes including $100 cash.

    A total of $1,317 was raised from the event attended by 130 supporters and the online donations via GoFundMe.

    The event was presented by To Raise a Home, founded in 2013 by Aubrey Crosby, for the children of “Foyer des Enfants” in Les Cayes, Haiti. Crosby has made routine international service trips since 2011, including traveling to Haiti four times, and as a volunteer at a juvenile delinquent home in Manchester, Jamaica. Plans are being made to obtain non-profit status to continue her fundraising efforts to meet the immediate needs for domestic, educational, and medical supplies, clothing, food, livestock, school sponsorships and more in the global community. For information go to raiseahome.weebly.com, email crosbyaubrey@gmail.com. to go to Facebook at https://www.facebook.com.

     

    Ann Sanford and Fritz Byers before the benefit concert for Toledo Jazz Orchestra at the Degage Jazz Cafe.
    Ann Sanford and Fritz Byers before the benefit concert for Toledo Jazz Orchestra at the Degage Jazz Cafe.

    A BENEFIT for the Toledo Jazz Orchestra co-sponsored by Jazz Spectrum 91 with Fritz Byers celebrating 25 year. on WGTE FM 91 was July 18 at Langley Hall above Dégagé Jazz Café and Fine Dining in the Historic Commercial Building in Maumee.

    Featured entertainment was the Larry Fuller Trio in Concert with Pete Siers on drums and Paul Keller on bass. Based in New York City, Toledo native Mr. Fuller, a graduate of Central Catholic High School, is a world-class jazz pianist. He is noted as the last pianist with legendary bassist Ray Brown’s Trio. The event netted about $1,500.

     

    Dean Tartaglia takes a break from entertaining patrons at Gradkowski’s to talk with his mother Barbara Tartaglia Poure.
    Dean Tartaglia takes a break from entertaining patrons at Gradkowski’s to talk with his mother Barbara Tartaglia Poure.

    ACROSS town on the same night -July 18 -by the University of Toledo, Gradkowski's Dining and Spirits on Secor Rd. Dean Tartaglia played tunes on the patio. The relaxing night was just for fun. Sipping cocktails on the lovely night were his proud mom Barbara Tartaglia Poure and husband Jim Poure and friends.

     

    Jim Ferguson and Barb Farley have a glass of wine and chat before the benefit concert for Toledo Jazz Orchestra.
    Jim Ferguson and Barb Farley have a glass of wine and chat before the benefit concert for Toledo Jazz Orchestra.

    ELLENIE Ash & The Blind Dawg Boogie Band entertained guests at the VIP reception July 11 at the Grand Plaza Hotel and Convention Center for The NW Ohio Rhythm, Blues & Jazz Festival which was the next day. The festival, featuring national artists, Mel Waiters, Lao Tizer with Karen Briggs & Jeff Kollman, Studebaker John & The Hawks, Laura Varcho and the Skip Turner Band, was a fundraiser for Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank.

    Enjoying the fund-raiser for Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank are Laurie Cohen, left, with Black Swamp Blues Society members Cheryl Christy, center, and Linda Deubner.
    Enjoying the fund-raiser for Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank are Laurie Cohen, left, with Black Swamp Blues Society members Cheryl Christy, center, and Linda Deubner.

    Attendees at the concert who brought 5 or more can of nonperishable food items for the Fill the Bus booth received a free Pepsi product.

    The event netted at least $30,000 according to Laurie Cohen of the foodbank. Thanks go to Dianne LaValley Tankoos, Volunteer Chairperson, and volunteers and sponsors including ComfortLine Fiberframe, PNC Bank, Pepsi, Managed Care Advisory Group, Checker Distributors, Mercy Health Systems, Toledo Lucas County Port Authority, ProMedica, Jaffe Jewelers, Brooks Insurance, REIA, Walmart, Kroger, Morgan Stanley, First merit Bank, Merrill Lynch, Buckeye CableSystem, The Blade, Cumulus, Urban Radio and 13abc.

    Contact Blade Society Writer Barbara Hendel at 419-724-6124 or at bhendel@theblade.com