Third big benefit concert set for Feb. 22

Supporting the return of the Speakeasy, fire benefit and now a show for Mark Dennis|

“Mark is Back – A Musical Celebration”

Where: Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club

When: Friday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Who: Bob Edmondson and Eric Joost, Plan Be, Sue Albano, Rubber Soul, Voices In My Head and members of Vox Populi.

Tickets: Tiddle E. Winks in advance or at the door

The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. Abraham, Martin and John. Chocolate, Vanilla, Neopolitan. They say good things come in threes, and we are one away from the trifecta. A local benefit trifecta.

Two weeks ago, local music lovers reunited and had some fun at the Cannon School of Music when several bands performed in a benefit for the owners of the Sonoma Speakeasy. The Speakeasy has been undergoing renovations, and progress has been bogged down by the permitting process. A party was thrown and, rather than mope around the record player at home, a lot of folks went. It is hoped the funds generated can keep the Speakeasy on track to return soon.

Last weekend, the Sonoma Community Center was the epicenter for a wonderful fundraising event benefiting two local business owners hit hard by a structure fire. The “Evening of Love for Nat and Larry” was a raging success, both monetarily and spiritually.

Howard Sapper, one of the organizers of the event, said, “We cleared a little more than $10,000.” The night saw upward of 300 people brave California cold and rainy weather to spend some time enjoying each other and several hours of top-notch music.

Local resident Julie Diamond summed up the wonderful event nicely with a Facebook comment, “What a night, filled with love, great music, and our amazing community.” Lauren Brenner also commented on a busy Facebook thread about the event, “I saw magic in action. I am so impressed with the synergy of this community.”

The third leg of the benefit series happens tonight at the Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and is called “Mark is Back – A Musical Celebration.” The musical portion of the event will be performances by Bob Edmondson and Eric Joost, Plan Be, Sue Albano, Rubber Soul, Voices In My Head and members of Vox Populi.

The “Mark” portion of the event is Mark Dennis. He is a local yoga teacher and leader of the vocal group Vox Populi. Dennis suffered a heart attack last Thanksgiving and later underwent triple bypass surgery at Sonoma Valley Hospital. He is on the mend and is as good as new now, but he was unable to work during his healing.

The members of Vox Populi gathered together and have organized the benefit, celebrating Dennis’s return to his role as spearhead and conductor of the group. In his absence, the singers kept singing, but they are all very happy to have him back.

Donna Morosi is a member of Vox Populi and explained the support of Dennis via e-mail, “I’ve been singing in Mark’s Vox Populi rock and roll choir for eight years now… it’s my therapy, my joy, my community, so I just keep coming back.”

Not a flashy guy, Dennis remarked by telephone that the event was, “kind of embarrassing.” But when you regularly stand in front of 60 or more adults following your lead and singing their hearts out, your absence is bound to be felt – and your return welcome.

Dennis spoke of the overwhelming spirit of the Sonoma community.

“I truly believe that this is the best town on the planet,” he said.

He also had high praise for Sonoma Valley Hospital, saying that his surprise experience and unexpected lengthy stay there was, “…pretty great, pretty cool.”

A few of the performers tonight performed in the other two recent benefits. But most are different – a testament to the wealth of local music talent in the Valley of the Moon. Tonight’s featured acts are all musicians Dennis has played with over the years. The show will begin concert style, but as the evening rolls along and Plan Be takes the stage, the dancing is sure to start.

Tickets are available at Tiddle E. Winks and at the door.

“Mark is Back – A Musical Celebration”

Where: Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club

When: Friday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Who: Bob Edmondson and Eric Joost, Plan Be, Sue Albano, Rubber Soul, Voices In My Head and members of Vox Populi.

Tickets: Tiddle E. Winks in advance or at the door

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