Beatles fan gather to raise money for Japan relief
In response to the great humanitarian need by those affected from the recent catastrophic natural disasters in Japan, WONDERWALL Music Shoppe & Emporium in Oak Park will present “HELP! JAPAN Fundraiser” to take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 14 at Trattoria 225, 225 W. Harrison in Oak Park. Ticket admission is $40 per person.
Honolulu native, GiGi Wong-Monaco, WONDERWALL Emporium‟s co-owner and organizer of the event describes how the earthquake motivated her into action.
“Hawai'i and Japan have ALWAYS had close ties, culturally and professionally. I grew up with Japanese influence all around me. I am part Japanese, on my father‟s side so this Japan disaster has hit me very hard. It's affected all of us here in the U.S. and globally” she added.
As a long-time member of Chicago's Beatles community, Wong-Monaco has reached out, locally and internationally, for support including silent auction items to raise money to be donated to the American Red Cross. Answering the entertainment call for "HELP‟ are some of Chicago‟s best musicians of Beatles music who will perform at this fundraiser:
BRIT BEAT, America's Premier Tribute To The Beatles, the event's headliner will be recreating the historic 1966 Japan concert, The Beatles At Budokan. Performed in Chicago‟s 2010 Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The Harrison Street Ukulele Players, debuted on CBS2 Chicago Early Morning News for the 2009 inauguration of President Obama.
Jay Goeppner, who has "the world's best‟ John Lennon vocals, performed with Roger Daltry, Alan White and numerous music icons.
Phil Angotti, Chicago veteran musician, long time fixture in power pop community. Formerly of The Beatle Brothers, Not The Beatles, The Scuffles and other bands.
Eric Howell, Musician. Songwriter. Filmmaker. Visionary.
Sandalwood Sitar Music Ensemble, a favorite Chicago Sitar group that performs India classical ragas and adaptations of Beatles songs on traditional Indian instruments.
Advance tickets: $40 per person. Door: $45 Please make checks payable and mailed to:
WONDERWALL Music Shoppe & Emporium
325 Harrison Street, Oak Park, IL 60304
100% of all ticket sales and monies raised from auction will go to the
American Red Cross – Japan Earthquake & Pacific Tsunami Relief.”
Donated Beatles artwork, photography, books and other goods are from Beatles artists and enthusiast including items from world renowned ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro; Wonderwall Emporium; Mark Hudson (The Hudson Brothers and Ringo‟s former producer); SHANNON, "The World‟s Greatest Beatles Artist‟; Paul McCartney and celebrity photographer and musician, Jorie Gracen; The Beatles in India author and photographer, Paul Saltzman; local authors of Fab Four FAQ Stuart Shea & Robert Rodriguez, Chicago award winning illustrator Charley Krebs and Oak Park artist Brenda Watkins, Kathy Joyce, a Beatles decoupage artist from Boston MA to name a few. A list of auction items will be available soon.
Jorie Gracen, celebrity photographer of Paul McCartney and co-founder of popular band The Pondhawks, has also been personally affected by Japan‟s earthquake. She has four cousins living in Japan. Gracen will be donating a signed photograph to this fundraiser‟s auction.
Silent auction donations will be gladly accepted until April 8. Monetary donations can be made now and sent to WONDERWALL Music Shoppe & Emporium through April 15, 2011. If individuals are unable to attend, please make a donation in honor of this event by sending a check payable to: American Red Cross. Please note in check memo: “Japan Earthquake & Pacific Tsunami Relief”. All donations over $250 will be acknowledged for tax purposes.
WXRT radio personality and host of Breakfast with the Beatles, 2010 National Radio Hall of Famer and Chicago‟s #1 Beatles Fan, Terri Hemmert will also be on hand to emcee this event and lend support.
The universal popularity and awareness of the Beatles help to make this an enjoyable and easily accessible fundraiser for those of all ages and backgrounds. The public is encouraged to attend or to make a donation in honor of the event directly to American Red Cross.
Additional information can be found at http://sitaremporium.com/WWJapanFundraiser or by contacting WONDERWALL Emporium at 708.948.7986.
325 Harrison Street Oak Park IL 60304 Phone:708.948.7986
www.sitaremporium.com
DETAILS:
Event: HELP! JAPAN Fundraiser
Date: Thursday, April 14, 2011, 6 – 9 pm
Venue: Trattoria 225
Address: 225 Harrison Street, Oak Park, IL 60304
Phone: 708-358-8555
Hours: 6 – 9 pm
Entertainment: Tribute band “BRIT BEAT”, Harrison Street Ukulele Players, Jay Goeppner,
Phil Angotti, Eric Howell, Sandalwood Sitar Music Ensemble.
Admission: $40 per person (100% of tickets sales proceeds to be donated to the American Red Cross), Door $45 per person.
Checks payable and mailed to:
WONDERWALL Music Shoppe & Emporium
325 Harrison in Oak Park, IL 60304
Parking: Ample street parking available
Websites: www.sitaremporium.com
Event Web page: www.sitaremporium.com/WWJapanFundraiser
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/WONDERWALL-Music-Shoppe-Emporium
Twitter: @WonderwallEmpOp