Published in the May 10 – 23, 2017 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Mark Fenichel

Mark Fenichel

In one way or another, cancer is one disease that affects us all. There are some things you can do to help. They say more than two million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year and three out of five people with cancer will beat it. One thing you can do is support The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, a community gathering where everyone can join in the fight against cancer.

The event takes place May 20 and 21 at Community Park in Morgan Hill and is truly a celebration.

The Sobrato High School Jazz Band will kick off the music about 11:30 a.m. followed by three different bands and then the DJ takes over followed by a fourth band playing until 8 p.m. I encourage you to come out and listen to music while walking a few laps, participating in on-going raffles or just chilling out and enjoying the music.
There will be activities for the kids including a bounce house, face painting, balloon artist, the haircut guy and themed walks.

To learn how you can donate and participate go to relayforlife.org/morganhillca and help our community fight cancer.

• • •

On another note, Mama Mia’s Restaurant on East Dunne Avenue will be kicking off their local live music on the patio series which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. every Thursday. Their first event will be a trial run beginning May 11. I will be out there performing on the patio May 18. They feature solo and duo acoustic acts which makes for a nice relaxing background to dinner. The series typically runs through the summer and ends when the weather cools down.

Celebrated pianist George Winston will be coming to the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga June 7 and 8 to support the release of his new cancer research benefit album “Spring Carousel,” a collection of 15 solo piano compositions written by Winston while in recovery from a bone marrow transplant for Myelodysplastic Syndrome at City of Hope.
The Morgan Hill Chamber is gearing up for the big Friday Night Music Series which opens June 2 and runs for 14 weeks.

The first night opens with Michele Moyer and talented kids from her music school Music In Motion. Then there will be a 20-minute set from the Entourage Kids and then an evening with the band Entourage. There will be food on site from the Kiwanis including pulled-pork sandwiches, polish dogs and hot dogs or bring your own picnic. Bringing in alcoholic beverages is forbidden and security will be strictly enforced.

The Friday Night Music Series in Morgan Hill has turned out to be a wonderful family night and will last throughout the entire summer. For details and a list of all the bands visit www.morganhill.org.

If you have a music tip send it to me at [email protected]