12:30pm -- Sherman Oaks 

Benefit for Generosity Water: 

Voices of Generosity 

1pm -- Santa Monica

Neuro-Zen:   

How Mindfulness, Meditation, Music, and Movement Changes Your Brain   

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The Yeomen of the Guard 

August 19 thru September 24

www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

Can music change the world?  

Yes -- one drop at a time

Two singers and a pianist dig a well...

It sounds a bit like the beginning of a bad joke. But what sopranos Lori Ann Fuller Piscioneri and Rachel Robison have started is a serious attempt to make a difference, and the project will literally result in building a well for a village that lacks access to something most Americans take very much for granted.  In fact, nearly one billion people worldwide don't have access to clean drinking water on a regular basis -- that's three times the size of the US population.  But this is a problem with a clear solution, and real change can take place, project by project, with help from individuals who care enough to take action.

If ever there was a reminder that all worries are relative, this is it.  In addition to the obvious effects on sanitation and the ability to grow food, a lack of water affects each society in many more complex and profound ways as well. While Californians cope with a drought that affects our lawns and whether or not we need a Brita, a complete lack of clean water in thousands of other communities is at the root of a cycle of poverty that cripples growth and even the hope for survival. The members of these towns and villages spend so much of their time sourcing and obtaining usable water that their health suffers in a multitude of ways. Their children have difficulty attending school because the family's survival depends on everyone's help to get the water they need, and adults cannot work on other endeavors that would help them make a living. 

This event is a fundraiser for Generosity Water, a nonprofit organization that takes on the water battle in countries in Africa and South America.  Most recently making headlines for their work in Haiti, the group's website shows impressive numbers based on individual fundraising campaigns.  But since their start in 2007, Generosity has already made a difference for more than 80,000 people, building a total of almost 200 wells in 17 different countries.  

Individual events like Saturday's concert are as much a part of their donor outreach as celebrity-studded red carpet soirées.  The goal for Voices of Generosity is to sell at least 100 tickets, enabling a village of 400 people to live and thrive with clean water for about 20 years.  Food and drink will be provided at the concert, while guests browse through silent auction items for further support.  The program includes a jazz combo in addition to favorites from opera and musical theater, accompanied by pianist Tom Gerhold.  But whether or not you can go to this event, there are still lots of ways to help.

What you can do:

1. Like the Voices of Generosity Facebook page to show your support.
2. Even if you can't attend on Saturday, buy a ticket and become part of the project.
3. Share Generosity's information with friends, through your social media pages or anywhere else you can think of  
4. Go, and take a friend or two.  
5. Find something special at the silent auction. (You can even split it with one of those friends you brought!)
6. Donate a little or a lot to this incredible cause.
7. Start your own campaign for Generosity Water and put your talents to work!

 a concert for clean water

Saturday, August 13, 2011

15035 Camarillo Street

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Doors open at 12:30pm

Concert begins at 1pm

Map & Directions

Event listing      Website      Tickets

Learn more about Generosity Water     

Before you go...please help by showing your support:

 'Like'  Voices of Generosity on Facebook,

and leave a message on their page to let people know you're in support of clean water!

Southern California Vocal Events

LAURI D GOLDENHERSH's Weekly Highlights

Last call!  This newsletter takes us right into Labor Day weekend, a startling reminder of just how quickly the season has flown by.  Before you get back to your 'usual' schedule, make some time for a few summery jaunts into the cultural beyond:

The hills will be alive with you-know-what through this weekend, as the BEVERLY HILLS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL continues.  I'm particularly intrigued by the 'Voices of Hollywood' concert scheduled for Friday 8/12, as it includes music by four of my favorite local composers.  (Nope -- not telling which!)  For more information on the festival, see the listing elsewhere in this issue of CCMN, or click here.

Saturday 8/13, 'Voices of Generosity' aims to prove that music can heal more than the soul.  This fundraiser for clean water in poverty-stricken areas puts two talented and visionary artists to work, tacking a very old problem that still lingers in the modern age.  Advance tickets can be purchased at a discount, so you can spend the money you save at the silent auction.  Have a little food and a drink, enjoy the voices of sopranos LORI  ANN FULLER PISCIONERI and RACHEL ROBISON (accompanied by pianist TOM GERHOLD), and learn more about the power of water to break the worldwide cycle of poverty.  For more information , click here.

Soprano SUZANNE ANDERSON joins the enigmatic and fascinating ensemble TESSERAE to perform a program of sacred music from Venice on Sunday 8/14.  This concert takes place in the unusual and celebrated Contrapuntal Performances Recital Hall, which actually exists within a private home in Brentwood.  But it sounds like just the intimate space for this bold group of musicmakers, featuring works by Gabriel, Cavalli and Monteverdi.  RSVPs are an absolute must.  Get details and instructions by clicking here. 

Don't forget iCadenza's first FUTURE OF MUSIC FESTIVAL at Zipper Hall next week, Aug 17 to 20.  Future stars of classical music and opera will show their stuff at three festival concert performances, and you can't miss: all three showcase extraordinary talent.  We shone the spotlight on this new tradition in last week's 'Next 7', the List's weekly vocal update (which I'm sure you all read diligently).  To learn more and get links to their website and other information, start with that feature by clicking here.

Starting Friday 8/19, SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE launches their run of Gilbert & Sullivan's irrepressible 'Yeomen of the Guard', which plays through 9/24.  This company is usually theater-focused, but takes this foray into operetta wholeheartedly and with finesse.  After all, who deserves love more than an alchemist who's been unjustly condemned?  For more information, click here.

Craving opera?  REPERTORY OPERA brings Mr. Tchaikovsky to LA with 'Eugene Onegin' in concert performance.  One night only -- Saturday 8/20 in Pomona. For details, click here. 

Or, delve into the work of opera composer GAMMA SKUPINSKY, with 'An Evening at the WHOPERA'.  A mixed ensemble of vocal and dance performers will augment screened video clips with live portrayals from six of Skupinsky's latest works.  Performers include sopranos ARIEL PISTURINO and CORIL PROCHNOW, tenor JOHN BURKE, baritone SCOTT LEVIN and dancer/actress KANA MIYAMOTO, and The Osaka ballet group. 
For details, click here.

Don't overlook CALPHIL's last seasonal offering 8/20 & 21; or the unusual but surprisingly logical combination of zarzuela and American musical on the 30th.  But please give special consideration to an evocative garden performance by the NATUR ENSEMBLE in Rolling Hills Estates on the 28th.  For details on these events and more, check the Calendar.

Enjoy your last few weeks, and thank you for supporting live singing! 

Lauri D. Goldenhersh

lauri@laurislist.com  

To subscribe, send email to editor Jim Eninger.