BELLOWS FALLS — The Aug. 21 benefit concert for Making the Most of I at the Immanuel Episcopal Stone Church in Bellows Falls was a total success.
The audience was thrilled and on its feet, giving standing ovations many times throughout the evening, celebrating the musical genius of Samirah Evans, Charles Neville, Moonlight Davis, Rebecca Holtz, Morning Star Chenven, Greg Flower, Mirò Sprague, Jason Ennis, Jon Fisher, and Alec Darien.
We thank everyone, including the audience, who so generously supported our program, which serves women in transition. We begin a new series of free 14-week classes at Tapestry, a Brattleboro-based agency that houses women moving back into the community after imprisonment.
Our thanks go to all the performers who gave us their highest artistic energy that night and left our audience more than satisfied.
Thank you to:
• Immanuel Episcopal Church, who donated the space for the concert.
• William Ballard, who tuned the piano free of charge; and to Adivasi, Real to Reel, Rupa Cousins of Connected Self, Ruggles & Hunt, Cafè Loco and Barbara Bye for donating door prizes.
• Charlie Jarras, Jeff Starratt, and Mark Piepkorn for taking videos and photographing the event.
• Local newspapers, Facebook friends, and radio stations that supported our event with publicity.
• Margo Black, who designed the beautiful poster, free of charge.
• And to Gordon and Mary Hayward, Mary McMahon, Jack LaForte and Nancy Knudsen, and Jack and Barbara Keil for supporting the event financially.
I also thank the board members of MMI for their help producing this kind of large concert; there is a lot of work to be done. Karuna Kress, Rupa Cousins, Cyndy Fine, Theresa de Villafane, Joan Parker, Ruth and Jessie Woodcock, and others made light work of it all.
Mostly, I want to thank the women who participate in the classes of Making the Most of I. You are the motivation behind all we do. It is because of you and for you that people sing their hearts out and cook up a storm and give gifts. We honor you in your journey, as individuals and as community of women.
For more information about Making the Most of I, visit www.makingthemostofi.com or call me at 802-869-2456.