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"Hope for Haiti" Benefit Concert
BIG Props to Alvon Johnson for organizing an Excellent production in Vallejo, "Hope for Haiti": a great gathering of musicians of jazz, blues, latin, funk, gospel, and Haitian Music with Sophis & Kalbass Kreyol, the 'trains ran on time' without fail or sound problems, and an impressive full house of enthusiastic community support...
REVIEWS:
"Hope for Haiti" Benefit Concert raised $5,000
Alvon's "Hope for Haiti" Benefit Concert raised $5,000 for the American Red Cross. Anyone who was there that night will tell you the music was eclectic, uplifting and relentless - 3 1/2 hours without a break. The audience was dancing and clapping, the musicians were eating and catching up with old friends back stage -- it was an extraordinary night of love and music for all. Thanks Alvon! You done good
Two students in a TV production class at Solano Junior College put together a short video about the "Hope for Haiti" benefit at The Empress Theatre for their class. Take a look at their "behind the scenes" video of the production. A big thank you to Hansel Majus and Joseph Sumbi for capturing the love and spirit of everyone at the benefit.
Two students in a TV production class at Solano Junior College put together a short video about the "Hope for Haiti" benefit at The Empress Theatre for their class. Take a look at their "behind the scenes" video of the production. A big thank you to Hansel Majus and Joseph Sumbi for capturing the love and spirit of everyone at the benefit.
On behalf of the people of my homeland...
Hi Alvon, on behalf of the people of my homeland, I want to extend a very special thanks to you , du fond du coeur, for organising HOPE FOR HAITI - What an amazing, unforgetable event! A heartfelt merci beaucoup to everyone else who volunteered their time, talents, and spirit to make this event possible. God b...less you one and all, for it goes well beyond just fundraising for Haiti, which will need help for some time to come! Your generosity in Haiti's great time of need touches our hearts in a way that words may not be adequate enough to express our gratitude.
And to have asked Kalbass Kreyol to open the benefit concert was both humbling and an honor for us, given the world class talent that graced the Empress Theater stage on this magical, transcendent evening!
Again, merci mille fois!
Ayibobo!
-Wil
Sophis Dorsainvil. I want to echo Wil's sentiment here! It was a magical night. Thank you so very much Alvon & Karen for bringing so much love together in one room at the Empress Theater in support of our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
-Sophis
And to have asked Kalbass Kreyol to open the benefit concert was both humbling and an honor for us, given the world class talent that graced the Empress Theater stage on this magical, transcendent evening!
Again, merci mille fois!
Ayibobo!
-Wil
Sophis Dorsainvil. I want to echo Wil's sentiment here! It was a magical night. Thank you so very much Alvon & Karen for bringing so much love together in one room at the Empress Theater in support of our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
-Sophis
BRAVO!! Well done, man
BRAVO!! Well done, man. Last night's Hope for Haiti concert blew me away. You really pulled it off. It even seemed to run smoothly, at least from the seats. We had a great time--it was like a reunion: I hooked up with a bunch of good friends & colleagues I haven't seen for 20 years or more. Go take a nap, now.
-Tommy Burke
I'm still speechless still this morning...Hope for Haiti will be in our hearts forever without a doubt. Each and every kind soul who dedicated their time and talent last night to raise funds for the victims of Haiti, raised much more than this...they raised our hopes too. The Concert was powerful and the music incre...dible. Alvon you have the heart of an angel. Karen and Alvon, than you for bringing Hope to Haiti to our community.
-Kitty Aga
Your heart brought everyone together last night for a very special evening of music, Alvon. Every show like this starts with the vision and willingness of one person to take on the hard job of organizing the concert, and YOU stepped up on this one. You have my respect and my thanks for all that you did to make it an evening of non-stop music, celebration and "Hope for Haiti."
-Rhonda Lucile Hicks
-Tommy Burke
I'm still speechless still this morning...Hope for Haiti will be in our hearts forever without a doubt. Each and every kind soul who dedicated their time and talent last night to raise funds for the victims of Haiti, raised much more than this...they raised our hopes too. The Concert was powerful and the music incre...dible. Alvon you have the heart of an angel. Karen and Alvon, than you for bringing Hope to Haiti to our community.
-Kitty Aga
Your heart brought everyone together last night for a very special evening of music, Alvon. Every show like this starts with the vision and willingness of one person to take on the hard job of organizing the concert, and YOU stepped up on this one. You have my respect and my thanks for all that you did to make it an evening of non-stop music, celebration and "Hope for Haiti."
-Rhonda Lucile Hicks
Had an absolute AWESOME time
Had an absolute AWESOME time at the Hope for Haiti Relief concert sponsored by ALVON tonight/last night!!! Congratulations Alvon, we've GOT to do it again next month for HEART!!! OMG so much talent in one place, I can barely contain myself(: I feel soooo privileged to be surrounded by so many gifted musicians and proud... to be able to call some of them my friends, brudders, and Cuzzins (ain't that right Cuzzin Alvon! :)
-Evelyn Heart
Seriously, one of the best concerts I've ever seen! Randy Nichols, Michael Nichols, Johnny Smith, Don Bassey, and then surprise guest Lenny Williams!!! Volker Strickler, Adam Farone and so much more. Alvon Johnson did an amazing job and kudos to the Empress Theater in Vallejo!
-Kellie Fuller
-Evelyn Heart
Seriously, one of the best concerts I've ever seen! Randy Nichols, Michael Nichols, Johnny Smith, Don Bassey, and then surprise guest Lenny Williams!!! Volker Strickler, Adam Farone and so much more. Alvon Johnson did an amazing job and kudos to the Empress Theater in Vallejo!
-Kellie Fuller
Alvon Johnson is a man on a mission
By Rich Freedman
Times-Herald staff writer
Alvon Johnson is a man on a mission. Make that missions.
With one eye on helping earthquake victims 3,099 miles away and doing what his musical talents can do to uplift the Vallejo community, the blues performer produces, hosts and performs in “Hope for Haiti” at the Empress Theatre on Feb. 25.
“The reasons for me doing this are twofold,” Johnson said. “It’s for this community as well as the people suffering in Haiti. We’ll sell all the tickets we can and if we don’t sell out, it’s still a success because the people who do come out will show solidarity. It’s always been my goal to help bring this community together.”
Johnson believes his talent is to be shared and, when possible, used to help the needy.
“It’s part of my function,” he said. “And the more people we bring together for this (benefit), the better. Whoever we bring together, it’s going to bring happiness to my heart. I’ll know I did something to help.”
Johnson said that not only will there be several of Vallejo’s top talents performing, but regional acts including stellar harpist/violinist Carlos Reyes and vocalist Faye Carroll.
There are several “well-known” acts confirmed, but Johnson said they must remain anonymous until show-time because they’re booked in the area around the Empress date.
“Though I’m trying to get as many locals as possible, there will be some cool surprised guests,” Johnson said. “There’s some immediately recognizable names.”
Johnson said he has no problem asking other musicians to perform gratis for the cause, with all proceeds from the $20 tickets gong to the Red Cross.
“If they’re my friend, they’ll understand,” he said. “I’ll call and say, ‘We need you on Thursday the 25th’ and my friends would say, ‘I’ll be there.’”
Johnson is so devoted to connecting the community and raising money for Haiti, “if I have to perform all night, I’ll do that,” he said.
While some may be “Haiti’d out” doing fund-raisers, Johnson said his tolerance for helping people is strong.
“My compassion is not that short,” he said. “Anyone who asks me today to do a benefit for Katrina (victims), I’ll do it. It doesn’t matter how many benefits. This (his talent) is what I have to offer. My ability is to get up and sing and play guitar and entertain and if people want me to do it, I’ll do it.”
The “Hope for Haiti” concert also gives locals a chance to put their own lives and the state of the city in perspective, Johnson said.
“People in Haiti are sleeping in tents, if they’re lucky,” he said. “Some have lost their limbs. Some have lost hope. Some have lost children. I think we here in Vallejo are doing pretty good and it’s incumbent upon us to show some solidarity with our human family wherever they are.”
Perhaps, added Johnson, the concert “is our first step” toward Vallejo’s healing process.
“Maybe we’ll have dialogue and make some changes,” said Johnson, “excited” about producing and hosting the benefit.
Times-Herald staff writer
Alvon Johnson is a man on a mission. Make that missions.
With one eye on helping earthquake victims 3,099 miles away and doing what his musical talents can do to uplift the Vallejo community, the blues performer produces, hosts and performs in “Hope for Haiti” at the Empress Theatre on Feb. 25.
“The reasons for me doing this are twofold,” Johnson said. “It’s for this community as well as the people suffering in Haiti. We’ll sell all the tickets we can and if we don’t sell out, it’s still a success because the people who do come out will show solidarity. It’s always been my goal to help bring this community together.”
Johnson believes his talent is to be shared and, when possible, used to help the needy.
“It’s part of my function,” he said. “And the more people we bring together for this (benefit), the better. Whoever we bring together, it’s going to bring happiness to my heart. I’ll know I did something to help.”
Johnson said that not only will there be several of Vallejo’s top talents performing, but regional acts including stellar harpist/violinist Carlos Reyes and vocalist Faye Carroll.
There are several “well-known” acts confirmed, but Johnson said they must remain anonymous until show-time because they’re booked in the area around the Empress date.
“Though I’m trying to get as many locals as possible, there will be some cool surprised guests,” Johnson said. “There’s some immediately recognizable names.”
Johnson said he has no problem asking other musicians to perform gratis for the cause, with all proceeds from the $20 tickets gong to the Red Cross.
“If they’re my friend, they’ll understand,” he said. “I’ll call and say, ‘We need you on Thursday the 25th’ and my friends would say, ‘I’ll be there.’”
Johnson is so devoted to connecting the community and raising money for Haiti, “if I have to perform all night, I’ll do that,” he said.
While some may be “Haiti’d out” doing fund-raisers, Johnson said his tolerance for helping people is strong.
“My compassion is not that short,” he said. “Anyone who asks me today to do a benefit for Katrina (victims), I’ll do it. It doesn’t matter how many benefits. This (his talent) is what I have to offer. My ability is to get up and sing and play guitar and entertain and if people want me to do it, I’ll do it.”
The “Hope for Haiti” concert also gives locals a chance to put their own lives and the state of the city in perspective, Johnson said.
“People in Haiti are sleeping in tents, if they’re lucky,” he said. “Some have lost their limbs. Some have lost hope. Some have lost children. I think we here in Vallejo are doing pretty good and it’s incumbent upon us to show some solidarity with our human family wherever they are.”
Perhaps, added Johnson, the concert “is our first step” toward Vallejo’s healing process.
“Maybe we’ll have dialogue and make some changes,” said Johnson, “excited” about producing and hosting the benefit.