CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Two concerts featuring musicians from the University of Illinois and the Champaign-Urbana community will benefit victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The first concert, beginning at 7 p.m. Friday (Oct. 7) in the Foellinger Auditorium, 709 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, features pianist Ian Hobson, the U. of I. Black Chorus conducted by Ollie Watts Davis, and the U. of I. Jazz Band. Tickets are $10 (minimum donation) and will be available at the door starting at 6 p.m. The concert is sponsored by the chancellor's office.
The second concert begins at 2 p.m. Oct. 15 (Saturday) at Alto Vineyards,
4210 N. Duncan Road, Champaign. Scheduled to perform: Beat Kitchen, Bruiser with The Javelinas, Delta Kings, Jamnation, Kilborne Alley, Matt Stewart and Pam Karsey, The Noisy Gators, The Painkillers, and Unfinished Business. Tickets are $6 (minimum donation) and will be available at the door starting at 1 p.m. Alto Vineyards is sponsoring the event.
"The concerts give all of us the chance to pull together and strengthen our unity by helping others in need," said concert organizer David Adcock. "We also will be able to enjoy the diverse and rich musical culture that exists here."
All proceeds from the "Shelter From the Storm" concerts will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society of the United States, and Musicares. Musicares is the relief branch of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences; it is working with the Lafayette Alliance to provide funding, medical care and other assistance to displaced New Orleans musicians.