Photos by Laura Carbone
Well-known blues artists, art fans and supporters gathered at the second joint benefit for the SAVE and the Jed Foundations, two organizations with one goal: to prevent suicide.
The evening boasted stellar performances by The Blind Boys of Alabama, Ruthie Foster, Dana Fuchs, The Apocalypse Blues Review, Jay Stollar, Bill Heller and others interspersed with onsite auctions and a raffle. An on-stage, real-time painting topped off the night’s action items, but the personal and sometimes heartbreaking accounts from the participants about their encounters with suicide really drove home the importance of this cause.
Hosted by Emmy-Award Winning CNN News Anchor Randi Kaye, with Eric Waugh and his easel at stage right, poet and famed auctioneer Lucas Hunt brought in some impressive sales, including a $6,000 trip to the Caribbean, $900 for a guitar signed by the participants, and over $6,000 for Eric Waugh’s striking painting.
The Blind Boys of Alabama, who opened with their thrilling version of “Amazing Grace” sung to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun,” roused the crowd to a fury when member Jimmy Carter walked through the crowd, singing.
One could say the highlight of the evening was the ensemble’s joyous rendition of Pete Seeger’s “If I Had A Hammer,” but those involved would agree that the real high point remains the $40,000 raised by many dedicated volunteers, for a very worthy cause.
—Suzanne Cadgène
To learn more, to contribute or to keep in touch for next year, click HERE
SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education)
The JED Foundation
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