Calaveras Concert to Benefit South Africa
June 15, 2008
On Sunday, June 15, Calaveras, an award-winning New Folk trio featuring First Church members Greg Beattie and Victoria Crebbin Blythe will perform a benefit concert at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The proceeds of the concert, sponsored by First Church’s South Africa Ministry Team, will go toward HIV/AIDS education and eradication in South Africa.
Calaveras combines folk, jazz, blues, and country into an incredible mix that is both fresh and timeless. The group is about to release their new CD “Green Girl” and will feature this new music as well as past favorites in the concert. Beattie and Blythe are both singers and songwriters and they are joined by musician and vocalist Dave Decker. Hot Pick has this to say about Calaveras’ creativity: “An awesome mix of traditional folk and modern folk sounds. A combination of voices, original songs and acoustic intruments travelling one road to many places—folk, pop, blues and country. The common thread is songs with intelligent lyrics and heartfelt melodies. The three principal members of Calaveras sound as if they were put on this earth to make music together…Music this good deserves your attention.”
The South Africa Ministry Team promotes awareness of poverty and HIV/AIDS in South Africa. They were inspired by Dr. David Harrison, the executive director of loveLife, a widely-respected, nationwide HIV/AIDS prevention campaign founded and led by a South African physician, David Harrison, M.D. David is a close friend of First Church. The team has provided scholarship aid for a young South African woman, Queen Manamudi.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for youth 12-17 years old, free for children. Call FCCB at 510/848-3696 to reserve tickets. They will also be on sale at the front desk and at church on Sunday mornings.
Calaveras CDs will be on sale during intermission and Cody’s Books will be on hand to sell books about Africa. The Team will also have literature about the AIDS crisis in South Africa and about the work of the loveLife organization. Refreshments will be for sale.