Published in the July 20 – Aug. 2, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Mark Fenichel
Mark Fenichel
About five months ago a Gilroy musician friend Bruce approached me to see if I would be interested in performing at a benefit he was putting together to raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Foundation. No hesitation on my part as my father suffered with the disease. The cause was very close to my heart. His idea was to have a backyard barbecue with a professional performance sound stage, someone recording the music (for a future fund raising CD) and a set-up for live streaming in real time. His goal was to raise money for a good cause with an intimate backyard house concert and a live “telethon-like” Internet broadcast. The event was called “A Night In The Garden for Alzheimer’s.”
He gathered a diverse mix of 10 local singer-songwriters and groups in the area including a few outstanding musicians pulled directly from the GVA Cafe’s Wednesday Chris & Friends open mic. Although limited in space, there was room for 30 to 35 people. Those invited (including the musicians) were asked to make a suggested donation of $20. The event sold out quickly. It was a great deal for an equally great cause. A backyard party with all-you-can-eat ribs, pulled pork, numerous salads and other home-made dishes, a full spread of desserts, coolers filled with beer, a table full of local wines and six hours of continuous live music.
Needless to say, “A Night In The Garden” had all the ingredients for success — and it most certainly was successful. The event initially raised more than $1,300 with more still coming in. The live streaming broadcast was viewed by many people throughout the country and the world. Also, the audio was captured with a high quality recording (old school style) on an analog Tascam reel-to-reel tape deck. Lots of people are still talking about an amazing afternoon and evening with old and new friends. Bruce assured me that this is just the beginning of an annual event and he is already working on a larger venue for the next one.
A big thanks to Bruce and Tracy for their hospitality and hard work putting all the elements together and opening their home to all who attended. A most special thanks to all the musicians who donated their time (and money) including Steve “Woody” Woodson who in addition to performing ran the live in-house and on stage sound and recorded nearly six hours of audio, The Weathered Souls, Blue House (Amy Beasley and Marlies de Veer), The Pfeffers (Kevin and Cori) brother and sister duo, Michael and Janet Thompson, Dave Rummens, Tom Drake, Joel Palermo, Michael Gaither, Cathy Cook, and yours truly.
If this idea was adopted by more communities nationwide, it would be a win-win to raise money for charities and leave everyone involved with an unforgettable experience. Sign me up for the next one please!
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On another note, Mike Osborn is scheduled to appear with his special guests Burnin Vernon Davis and Aftermath band at 8 p.m. Friday Aug. 12 at The District Theater, 7430 Monterey St. Gilroy. Tickets are available at http://mikeosborn.bpt.me. The Porchfest Gilroy committee is talking about their 3rd annual event, set for Sept. 17. The first Porchfest began in New York. Musicians were assigned to various porches in neighborhoods while folks stroll along the streets, sit on lawns and enjoy the music, then moved on to other porches. The musicians are not paid, no tickets are sold and it’s a free, family-friendly event. Right now Porchfest Gilroy is looking for musicians to join them. The porches are on Hanna Street (noon to 3 p.m.) and on Alexander Street (3 to 6 p.m.). They are looking for acoustic or low amplified music including blues, rock, folk solo, duo or trios which all seem to work the best. For more details and photos and musician sign ups go to www.porchfestgilroy.org. Click under the Musician Sign Up tab. The GVA Cafe in Morgan Hill now has a live jam every Friday following the Friday Night Music series at the Downtown Amphitheater. A great place to go Friday nights.
If you have a music tip contact me at [email protected] and possibly your event or performance can appear here.
