Japan Relief Concert March 24th
Hilary Hahn Rallies Special Guests for March 24 Japan Benefit in Baltimore
With the cancellation of her Japan tour due to the March 11 disaster, Grammy® Award-
winning violinist Hilary Hahn is returning to Baltimore to present a benefit event for
victims of the earthquake and tsunami crisis in Japan.
The concert will feature performances by Hahn, Baltimore songwriter Caleb Stine, violinist
Yuka Kubota and pianist Yoshie Kubota playing an original composition, Baltimore
School for the Arts student Tariq Al-Sabir and pianist Mark Hardy, and Suzuki students
from the Peabody Preparatory. Baltimore-based author Lia Purpura and Japanese
historian Constantine Vaporis will speak.
Art and jewelry by Baltimore Clayworks Resident Artists Mary Cloonan and Yoshi Fujii,
as well as art by local artists and origami made by Baltimore children, will be sold at
the event to help raise funds. 100% of proceeds from concert and merchandise sales will
benefit Direct Relief International’s Japan Relief and Recovery Fund. Volunteers will be
on hand to aid with further donations.
“When my Japanese recital tour was cancelled because of the current situation in Japan,
my heart sank. I had been looking forward to performing in Japan: the country is unlike
any other, and the audiences are dedicated and love music so much, and it is always a
pleasure to play for them. For me, my memories from my time there are so vivid that it is
hard to imagine such a vibrant country that is so familiar to me facing such a destructive
crisis. I first went to Japan when I was a teenager and have returned nearly every year
since. I truly believe that music and art can contribute to society – whether in the course
of daily life or in the background of catastrophe. My first thought when I was trying to
figure out what to do with the time I was supposed to spend in Japan, was to organize a
fundraiser: instead of playing in Japan this month, I could play for Japan. I grew up in
Baltimore so wanted to return to present a community-based benefit concert in this city.
And Baltimore really came together for this event. It was so rewarding to hear, “yes,
what can we do to help?” from everyone I called to ask to participate on March 24. I am
grateful to Red Emma’s for donating their 2640 Space for this evening and to everyone
involved for being so generous with their time and work. We hope to be able to make
a difference and show our support to the recovery process. It will be a special event for
everyone involved.”
DATE:
Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7:00 p.m.)
VENUE:
2640 Space – St. John’s of Baltimore, 2640 Saint Paul Street
(www.redemmas.org).
TICKETS:
Tickets $20-$50 (sliding scale),. Advance purchase at Red Emma’s
Bookstore M-F 10a-10pm, Sat 2pm-10pm, Sun 10am-6pm, 800 Saint
Paul Street (www.redemmas.org) and at the door (cash only). Limited
seating on first-come, first-served basis with standing room available.
EVENT INFO:
Tiffany DeFoe: space2640@redemmas.org
