Omega House 2013 All Souls Benefit Concert is Oct. 26; videos from July Omega House benefit recital

HOUGHTON -- The Omega House and The Continental Fire Company in Houghton are teaming up for the second year in a row to bring you an evening of wonderful music, remembrance and friendship on Saturday, Oct. 26. Doors open at 6 p.m.; music begins at 7 p.m.

Poster for All Souls Benefit Concert to support Omega House hospice. (Poster courtesy Mike Abbott)

Local talent Steve Jones and The Garden City Hot Club will be the opening act, followed by Samuel Seth Bernard and May Erlewine Bernard (Seth and May) along with Michael Shimmin on percussion and Max Lockwood on bass.*

The Omega House is a hospice in Houghton whose mission is to provide "a residential, homelike environment where terminally ill people may live fully during their final days, free from pain and isolation and supported physically, emotionally, and spiritually by professional and volunteer caregivers, along with family and friends."  The All Souls Benefit Concert will offer an opportunity to do something special to remember individually and collectively those we love who have passed away. Come take part in this special evening and support a great cause.

Tickets are available for purchase at the door: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students with ID.

The event will include a silent auction in the Lounge with items from artisans and local businesses. All proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction benefit the Omega House. This event is 21+.

The Continental Fire Company is located at 408 E Montezuma Avenue, Houghton. The main entrance is around the corner (down the hill) on Huron Street.

* Check out these Links to the bands' websites: http://www.gardencityhotclub.com/ and http://sethandmay.com/

Videos: Highlights from Omega House "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" benefit recital July 2013

Steve Brimm and Erika Vye were the featured performers:

At the 7th Annual "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" benefit recital for Omega House hospice on July 30, 2013, featured performers Erika Vye and Steve Brimm of Copper Harbor, Mich., perform folk music in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Hancock. Here they offer their renditions of "Feelin' Groovy," "The Crawdad Song," and "Summertime." (Videos by Keweenaw Now)

Ann Campbell and Lara Neves, sopranos, sing a lively duet:

Ann Campbell and Lara Neves, sopranos, sing "The Stepsisters' Lament" from Cinderella at the Omega House benefit recital on July 30, 2013. Maggie Kieckhafer accompanies on piano.

David Owens leads the audience in singing:

Musician and vocalist David Owens leads the audience in singing the old favorite, "In the Good Old Summertime."

Roger and Maggie Kieckhafer have fun with a father-daughter duet/duel:

In a father-daughter duet, Roger and Maggie Kieckhafer perform "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better," with Dan Fuhrmann accompanying on piano, during the July 30, 2013, Omega House (hospice) benefit recital.

Karin Schlenker sings "The Man I Love":

Karin Schlenker, soprano, sings George and Ira Gershwin's "The Man I Love," accompanied by Trisha Kuzmic on piano.

Mark Oliver offers a medley of three favorites:

Mark Oliver, baritone, brings to a conclusion the 7th Annual "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" benefit recital for Omega House (hospice) with a medley of old favorites: "Stardust," "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," and "I'll Be Seeing You." Jared Anderson accompanies on piano.

Performers take a curtain call at the 7th Annual "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" Omega House benefit on July 30, 2013, in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

[Editor's Note: We regret that we were not able to post as many videos as we wished because of some copyright restrictions on YouTube which arose unexpectedly.]

"Summertime and the Livin' is Easy" annual benefit recital for Omega House to be July 30

Local musical artists will present the 7th annual "Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy" Omega House benefit recital at 7 p.m. this Tuesday, July 30, at Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton. Click on poster for larger version. (Poster courtesy Lara Neves)

HOUGHTON -- The 7th annual "Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy" -- an annual gathering of local musical artists who blend their talents through jazz, light opera, folk and
blues, to benefit Omega House -- will be held at 7 p.m. this Tuesday, July 30, at Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church, Madeleine Street in Houghton. A $10 donation is suggested.

Local musicians and singers take a bow during the curtain call following the July 24, 2012, Omega House hospice benefit recital in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. This year the annual recital of easy listening music will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church on Madeleine Street in Houghton. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

This year’s featured artists include Erika Vye and Steve Brimm on guitar and banjo, along with artists Barry Pegg, Ann Campbell, Greg Campbell, Courtney Clisch, Trish Helsel, Cheyenne Kaufman, Maggie Kieckhafer, Roger Kieckhafer, Karen Schlenker, Emilie Krznarich, Barbara Lide, Lara Neves, Mark Oliver, David Owens, Tyler Plamondon, Marika Seigel, Mollie Trewartha, Kate VanSusante, and Eponine Zenker. Pianists will be Jon Ensminger, Jared Anderson, Trisha Kuzmic and Eponine Zenker.

During the 2012 Omega House benefit recital, "True Colors," at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock, Maple Sugar Folk, accompanied by Dave Bezotte on accordion,  perform "Belle Rose du Printemps," a traditional French song. The audience joins in singing the chorus after soloist Barbara Lide. Other members of the group here include, from left, Jan Wieber, Barry Pegg, Amanda Binoniemi, Karin B. Schlenker, Marcia Goodrich and Ruth Robertson. (Videos by Keweenaw Now) 

Omega House offers a peaceful, homelike environment for terminally ill people and provides end-of-life care that emphasizes compassion, independence, respect and dignity. In cooperation with local hospice programs, Omega House provides residents with exceptional care and attention 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Encouraging the audience at the 2012 Omega House benefit recital to sing along, musician David Owens plays and sings a medley of "Oldies," including such favorites as "The White Cliffs of Dover."

Any person in a hospice program or who would qualify for hospice care is eligible to live at Omega House. Medications, supplies and equipment are usually paid for by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances.

During the 2012 Omega House benefit recital, Ann Campbell, left, and Lara Neves perform the Flower Duet from "Lakmé" by Leo Delibes.

Attend the recital this Tuesday and support Omega House, where people come for loving care near the end of life. For more information, visit their Facebook page or the website at www.omega-house.org, or call event coordinators Lara Neves at 370-7739 or Carol Pfefferkorn at 482-4438.

More photos from the 2012 Omega House recital, "True Colors":

Soloist Karin Schlenker performs "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" during the 2012 Omega House benefit concert.

Barry Pegg sings an amusing English tune.

Barbara Lide and Dave Bezotte perform the favorite "Blue Skirt Waltz."

At the end of the 2012 recital, Ruth Robertson -- musician, vocalist, and coordinator of the Omega House benefit concert for several years -- accepts a bouquet of appreciation for her talent and leadership.

Omega House Benefit Recital to feature "True Colors" Easy Listening Songs July 24

Ruth Robertson, left -- musician, vocalist, and coordinator of the Omega House Benefit Recital -- leads the audience in applause during the curtain call at the end of the 2011 Recital in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Hancock. This year's recital, "True Colors," will be Tuesday, July 24. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

HANCOCK -- Omega House will sponsor its 6th Annual Benefit Recital at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24, in the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Quincy St. in Hancock. The theme of this year's recital is "True Colors."

Over twenty local musicians will present some 30 Easy Listening Songs that feature various colors, (or at least mention) one or two colors in the song. Styles include jazz, folk, classical, Broadway, and pop.

Perhaps the most noted local artist appearing is jazz guitar wunderkind Steve Jones, who is graciously performing his own set, including "Autumn Leaves." Another solo instrumentalist is Paul Keranen, whose soulful saxophone tones have pleased Omega House benefit recitals for several years running.

The audience will be invited to participate in the recital by singing along with David Owens as he walks us through some Golden Oldies.

Other returning artists include vocalists Ann Campbell, Courtney Clisch, Jeff Massey, and Lara Neves. New singers this year are Cheyenne Kaufman, Emilie Krznarich, Marika Seigel and singer/guitarist Chuck Young. 

Several sing not only as soloists but also with the Maple Sugar Folk: Barbara Lide, Barry Pegg, Ruth Robertson and Karin B. Schlenker. They join Amanda Binoniemi, Marcia Goodrich, Jan Wieber in singing three French Canadian songs with David Bezotte, director/accordionist. The audience can practice their French on one song by echoing the oft-repeated phrase, "Belle Rose du printemps."

Maple Sugar Folk sing favorite French tunes during the 2011 Omega House Benefit Recital. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Show your “true colors” by attending and supporting Omega House, where people come for gentle, loving care near the end of their lives. A suggested donation for the recital is $5. Attendees may feel good about donating to Omega House, a compassionate care facility in Houghton, serving the community since 2005. Several local businesses have already participated by donating. Their names will appear in the program.

Light refreshments will be served after the recital.  

For more information call event coordinators Lara Neves at 906- 370-7739 or Ruth Robertson at 573-230-1280. If you cannot attend but would like to have your donation count in the total raised at this event, please send a check to Omega House 2211, Maureen Lane, Houghton, MI  49931 and write "Benefit Recital" on the memo line. You will receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donation.

"Many Waters" to be theme at 5th Annual Omega House Benefit Recital July 26

HANCOCK -- The 5th Annual Omega House Benefit Recital of mostly vocal music will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. This year’s theme is "Many Waters" -- Songs of Seas, Lakes, Streams, and Fountains.

"Heed the call to go the sea: feel the moist sand between your toes, taste the salty breeze, go fishing or harvest kelp near the shore, sail far away, feel the rising waves, plunge through the storm’s crashing waves, wait hopelessly at the shore for your loved one’s return," says Ruth Robertson, recital coordinator. "Or not… sit instead by a still Loch Lomand, or the Rosenlagen or Keweenaw Bay, watching twinkling harbour lights."

Ruth Robertson, recital coordinator and mezzo-soprano, presents performers during the 2010 Omega House Benefit Recital. (Keweenaw Now 2010 file photo)

New this year is jazz guitarist Steve Jones, who will join baritone Mark Oliver in a medley of River Songs, including such favorites as "Up the Lazy River," "Moon River," and "Old Man River." Jones and saxophonist Paul Keranen will play a jazz set with "Cry Me a River," "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and "Soul Eyes." Also in the jazz style will be torch singer Karin B. Schlenker singing "Stormy Weather."

Torch singer Karin Schlenker performs at the 2010 Omega House Benefit Recital at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. This year Schlenker will sing "Stormy Weather." (Keweenaw Now 2010 file photo)

Also new this year is a segment of audience sing-along songs led by David Owens: "Harbour Lights," "Keweenaw Light," and the series theme song, "Summertime," with a new alternative text.

Folk music reigns supreme this year with three songs in French, three in German, one each in Swedish and Spanish. Translations of the texts are in the printed program so people can follow along. Even the classical songs are, for the most part, settings of folk tunes including a section of haunting chanties and other songs by British composers.

Returning vocalists are basses Jeff Massey and Barry Pegg; Ann and Greg Campbell; Sopranos Patricia Helsel, Katie Zutter; mezzo-soprano Ruth Robertson and tenors Bill Francis and Robert Suits of Houghton and Jacob Laitenen from Marquette .

New vocalists this year are contralto Barbara Lide singing a rollicking Swedish waltz, tenors Nathan Held and Nick Bohmann, and soprano Courtney Clisch.

Also new this year will be David Bezotte’s group, the Maple Sugar Folk, singing French water songs: "Partons, la mer est belle!" -- an Acadian folk tune; "Santa Maria de la mer" by Christian Bruhn; and "Youpe, Youpe! sur la rivière." Maple Sugar Folk singers include Amanda Binoniemi, Evan Dixon, Marcia Goodrich, Barbara Lide, Ralph Horvath, Barry Pegg, Ruth Robertson, Karin B. Schlenker and Jan Wieber.

Maple Sugar Folk perform French songs during a 2009 performance at the Calumet Heritage Center at St. Anne's. This year they will sing French water songs during the July 26 Omega House Benefit Recital at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. (Keweenaw Now 2009 file photo)

Accompanists include Susan Byykkonen, principal piano accompanist; Susan Rokicki, piano accompanist; Ruth Robertson, piano and guitar accompanist; and David Owens, sing-along leader.

A donation of $5 or more is suggested. All proceeds will benefit Omega House, the Keweenaw's only hospice care facility.

For more information call Ruth Robertson, recital coordinator, at 573-761-1433 or Omega House at 906-482-4438.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (ELCA) is at 1000 W. Quincy St. in Hancock.