With You, Haiti Cherie

A community benefit concert for Haitian relief

7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3
The College of St. Scholastica
Mitchell Auditorium
1200 Kenwood Ave., Duluth
(218) 723-7000

Doors open at 6:15 p.m.; limited seating.
Free will offering. All proceeds will support relief efforts in Haiti.
Valet parking provided by CSS students.

 

Featuring:

Bonga & the Drums of Haiti
Emcee: Michelle Lee, KBJR-TV
Echoes of Peace Choir
First Lutheran Church Choir
Elizabeth Nordell
Rudy Perrault
CSS Hand Drum Ensemble
Silent auction and marketplace

Bonga & the Drums of Haiti

Bonga & the Vodou Drums of Haiti present traditional Afro-Haitian roots music in its most raw and enchanting form. Percussion virtuoso "Bonga" Jean-Baptiste leads this versatile drum, instrumental and dance ensemble.

Bonga is regarded as a master of the Afro Haitian drum, sought-after for his extensive repertoire of pan-African rhythms. He is one of the few drum experts and craftsmen outside of Haiti who continues to build traditional drums using techniques that are centuries old.

He has played at numerous worldwide venues and was a featured performer with Peter Yarrow, Grace Jones, Dan Zanes and Urban Tap, to mention a few. His drums opened the New York premiere of the Rolling Stones "Voodoo Lounge" tour and he is prominently featured on recordings by Wyclef Jean and Salif Keita.

 

Michelle Lee

Michelle Lee began her news career as a reporter and news anchor in 1977 working at KXGR FM Radio in Grand Rapids, MN, then on to KSTP-AM Radio in the Twin Cities. Her first job in television news broadcasting was for KDLH TV in Duluth. Michelle moved up the ranks quickly at Channel 3 and ultimately was named the main news anchor. In 1990 Michelle joined the NBC 6 Team as reporter and anchor for the award-winning issues oriented magazine program News 6 Sunday. In less than a year, she was promoted to the position of primary anchor. Today she co-anchors Northland's NewsCenter on NBC 6 at 5, 6, and 10 p.m.

 

Echoes of Peace Choir

The Echoes of Peace Choir began in March of 2002 as part of the first Art of Peace event in Duluth, MN, a local response to the events of 9/11/01. Their repertoire includes songs from various cultural and spiritual traditions around the world, songs of justice and peace, songs of hope and longing, and songs that are simply fun and full of celebration. Sara Thomsen is the choir's artistic director.

 

 

First Lutheran Church Choir

The Senior Choir of First Lutheran Church in Duluth, directed by William Beckstrand, leads and inspires the worship life of the congregation each week with choral literature and liturgical music spanning many centuries and styles. Nearly 50 members strong, the choir has a longstanding tradition of musical excellence, and is most noted for their annual presentation of Theodore DuBois' "Seven Last Words" for Good Friday. First Lutheran Church is served by Pastors April Ulring Larson and Judd Larson.

 

Elizabeth Nordell

Elizabeth Nordell has taught in Pennsylvania; Mexico, Honduras, Haiti; and in elementary bilingual programs in the New Jersey public schools. Since moving to Duluth she has taught storytelling and organized Tellabration, The Food and Farming Story Tent, and Courageous Stories and Tender Tales.

 

 

 

Rudy Perrault

Rudy Perrault is a performer, conductor and composer who is Director of Orchestra and professor of violin/viola at UMD. He will present a slide show accompanied by a recorded violin performance.

 

 

 

 

CSS Hand Drum Ensemble

The CSS Hand Drum Ensemble performs primarily on West African instruments, though students prepare and perform rhythms from percussion communities around the world. The ensemble is open to all students, regardless of major or experience. It provides opportunities for improvisation, and a performance outlet/opportunity for students wishing to reach out to their campus - and wider - communities.

 

 

Silent auction and marketplace:

Silent auction items
Autographed books by CSS faculty
Quilt and hand woven rug
Gift baskets
Watercolor by Edna Blanchard
Print by Chris Dillon
Framed print by Chen-Khee Chee

Marketplace items
Haiti Cherie T-shirts
Books and CDs
Haitian flags
Backpacks