Putting their ‘H’Arts’ into it, Area performers in Haiti benefit

BY Richard Duckett, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

More than 300 young performers from 18 singing and dance groups in the Worcester area will lend their talents and hearts to “H’Arts and Hope for Haiti,” a benefit concert Feb. 26 at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.

Kathleen Holton, the show’s producer and co-promoter, said numerous groups and organizations have enthusiastically stepped forward to be a part of the event. Proceeds from the show will go the American Red Cross’ Haiti relief efforts.

Holton is the music director of Seven Hills Charter School and conductor of its Seven Hills Show Choir, one of the groups performing. “They are into this,” she said of the students. “There’s so much enthusiasm. They are so excited about this …

“The idea was, with a lot of inner-city kids — they can’t afford to give money. So we thought what better way to give back than through their time and talents.”

Holton said that within five minutes of sending out an e-mail inquiring about possible performance space for the concert, she heard from Troy Siebels, executive director of The Hanover Theatre, who offered the use of the facility. She received similarly positive responses when contacting different performance groups. “Everyone I called, it was like ‘Yes. Yes,’ ”she said. Meanwhile, radio station WSRS came on board as a co-promoter.

Siebels said, “It’s hard to stand by in the face of such overwhelming need without feeling that we’re doing everything that we can to help. The generosity is really on the part of the community and youth groups coming together to perform to benefit the people of Haiti. We’re proud to do our part by hosting what promises to be a very moving event.”

Some of the performers will include Worcester Children’s Chorus; Jo Ann Warren Dance; Pakachoag Music School of Greater Worcester’s Unison of Violins (12 violinists); Charlotte Klein’s Dance Center — Worcester; Joy of Music Program Jazz Ensemble; In Da Zone (hip-hop); Worcester WAIT Team (hip-hop); Seven Hills Show Choir; Seven Hills Stomp Team (also from Seven Hills Charter School); The Youth Ballet of Worcester; Burncoat Senior High School Select Chorus — “Quadrivium”; Burncoat Senior School Dance Team; Trinity Chorister (Trinity Lutheran Church); All Saints Choirs (All Saints Church); Worcester Youth Symphony Orchestra; Notre Dame Academy Chamber Chorale; Worcester State College Chorale; and the Shrewsbury Ringers (hand bell ringers).

The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26. Tickets are $10; “VIP” tickets (including a private reception) are $75. Call The Hanover Theatre box office at (877) 571-7469 or visit www.thehanovertheatre.org.

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The following day, Feb. 27, there will be another benefit concert for Haiti at The Hanover Theatre. “Rock 4 Relief” will feature Worcester area rock bands and performers, including Tony Sarno. Money raised will go to UNICEF and the programs it has in place to assist those in need. Organizer and Worcester musician Dana Bonardi said, “I am 28 years old and the father of two small children. After hearing of the devastation that the recent earthquake had on the country of Haiti, I wanted to do something to help the children’s whose lives have forever been affected by the loss of their families from this tragedy.” Tickets to “Rock 4 Relief” are $20.