“Hands for Haiti” on Saturday, March 6th from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the Palace Theater, 2384 James Street in Syracuse. $10 students, $20 adults.
Performers will include: Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman (folk), Dave Hanlon’s Cookbook Band (blues), The Society for New Music (classical), Jazz musicians Dariusz Terefenko (Eastman School Of Music), Andy Russo (Le Moyne), Jefferey Pepper Rodgers with Joshua Dekaney (folk w/Brazilian percussion), John Oberbrunner (Syracuse Symphony Orchestra) with high school flute players, Ruben Lee (folk, pop) and band.
Speakers will include: Arthur Flowers (poet and SU prof.), Kenel Antoine (architect and member of Haitian Community), Paula Johnson (SU law prof. and activist) and more TBA.
Syracuse-area universities, community organizations, businesses and local government leaders have joined together to support “Hands for Haiti,” a public awareness and fundraising event.
Supporters include: SUNY Upstate Medical School, SUNY ESF, Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, Palace Theater, Alto Cinco, Sparky Town, Carney and Blumer, Subcat Studios and Artists Pianos.
“It is tragedy that often calls forth the worst and the best of the human condition,” performance poet and speaker, fiction professor Arthur Flowers in Syracuse University’s Creative Writing MFA program. “In the impulse to help those in need we find the best we have to give. I am proud and moved to be part of Syracuse’s contribution, an evening of blessings, this sanctification of the ground.”
“Everything about Haiti concerns me,” speaker and member of the Haitian community in Syracuse Kenel Antoine said. “I was born and raised in Haiti. From the horrific pictures on TV, I could have been one of those people that died. I’ve been grateful of all the support Haiti is getting from the world, as it lifts my spirits. I strongly believe through the support of the diaspora and elsewhere that things will get better.”
“I was waiting for the right opportunity to do something for Haiti,” Michael Heagerty owner of Palace Theater said. “It seemed like a good place to put my energy towards participating for more than just a $100.”
“”Anything we can do individually, or collectively to help the people of Haiti, is a call we must all hear,” Dave Hanlon said. “Cookbook is honored to play a small part in this benefit.”
“I want to lend a hand in helping Haiti, and its people shape their future,” master’s student and volunteer coordinator for ‘Hands for Haiti,’ Pavitra Ramaswamy in International Relations, Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, Syracuse University. “It’s important for all of us to come out in solidarity for Haiti and carry their flame of hope in our hearts.”
Our goal is to raise $10,000. We have chosen to give the proceeds to the Lambi Fund of Haiti, which works on sustainable development, the environment, animal husbandry, community micro credit and leadership training. The Lambi Fund of Haiti was founded in 1994 by Haitians, Haitian-Americans and North Americans. It works with women in Haiti. Furthermore, the Lambi Fund has partnered with the Greenbelt Movement founded by a Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, who is helping the grassroots movement to plant over 1 million trees in Haiti.
