2008 Woodie Awards
Blues artist to play fund-raiser
Katherine Kohls
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: Community
Sojourner Recovery Services, like most nonprofit companies, relies on fund-raising events to support its programs. So in an attempt to raise both funds and awareness of the organization, blues performer Stacy Mitchhart will be performing at Fairfield Community Arts Center Nov. 3 for a fund-raising concert.
Sojourner, founded in 1984, is a nonprofit organization that provides chemical dependency and substance abuse treatment for individuals and their families.
Brent Russel, Sojourner's development director, said when he joined Sojourner two and a half years ago he started the three main fund-raising activities: a concert series in the spring, a single concert in the fall and an ultimate Frisbee tournament in June and November.
"We provide a really important service," Russel said. "We are not only serving individuals but also their families. We help improve everyone's life through our programs."
Russel said that after expenses, the money raised at fund-raisers goes completely toward programs.
According to Russel, the spring concert series has drawn in performers such as Roger McGuinn from the Byrds and country singer Lynda Davis. Mitchhart performed in July, and Russel said "people flipped out over him last during that performance."
Mitchhart was born in Cincinnati and began playing guitar at age nine. He now plays in a six-piece band with a blues-jazz sound and Russel described the music as similar to the electric blues of B.B. King.
"He is passionate about his music," Russel said. "He gets into the blues and he genuinely enjoys what he does."
Russel said that one benefit of the fund-raiser, besides raising money, is helping build awareness of what Sojouner Recovery Services is and what they do.
The Fairfield Community Arts Center, built in 2005, has a capacity of 237 patrons-what Russel described as an intimate feeling. Tickets for the show cost $20 for orchestra seating and $18 for stadium seating. Additionally students can receive a discount on Sojourner's Web site and the purchase of a ticket includes a coupon for Sims Tavern, a local bar in Fairfield.
Sojourner, founded in 1984, is a nonprofit organization that provides chemical dependency and substance abuse treatment for individuals and their families.
Brent Russel, Sojourner's development director, said when he joined Sojourner two and a half years ago he started the three main fund-raising activities: a concert series in the spring, a single concert in the fall and an ultimate Frisbee tournament in June and November.
"We provide a really important service," Russel said. "We are not only serving individuals but also their families. We help improve everyone's life through our programs."
Russel said that after expenses, the money raised at fund-raisers goes completely toward programs.
According to Russel, the spring concert series has drawn in performers such as Roger McGuinn from the Byrds and country singer Lynda Davis. Mitchhart performed in July, and Russel said "people flipped out over him last during that performance."
Mitchhart was born in Cincinnati and began playing guitar at age nine. He now plays in a six-piece band with a blues-jazz sound and Russel described the music as similar to the electric blues of B.B. King.
"He is passionate about his music," Russel said. "He gets into the blues and he genuinely enjoys what he does."
Russel said that one benefit of the fund-raiser, besides raising money, is helping build awareness of what Sojouner Recovery Services is and what they do.
The Fairfield Community Arts Center, built in 2005, has a capacity of 237 patrons-what Russel described as an intimate feeling. Tickets for the show cost $20 for orchestra seating and $18 for stadium seating. Additionally students can receive a discount on Sojourner's Web site and the purchase of a ticket includes a coupon for Sims Tavern, a local bar in Fairfield.
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