The event In Concert for Cancer, an annual community music fundraiser, is coming to the Kirkland Performance Center this year on Nov. 17.
The event, which previously took place in San Diego and Woodinville, is organized by Michele Abrams, a Kenmore-based event producer and marketer who runs BrightStar Entertainment, the producing company behind In Concert for Cancer. Like a lot of people, she has personally been affected by the disease.
“I, unfortunately, lost both of my parents to cancer,” she said. “As a concert producer and knowing the joy music brings to people … that was the impetus for starting In Concert for Cancer.
In addition to raising money for the Seattle Children’s Research Institute’s immunotherapy program, Abrams said In Concert for Cancer works with the hospital to donate tickets to cancer patients and survivors and their families.
“Part of our mission is to lift the spirits of cancer patients,” Abrams said. “We are using music to inspire and give hope.”
The musicians featured in this year’s show are contemporary jazz saxophonists Jeff Kashiwa and Steve Cole. Cole is a Chicago native while Jeff is from Seattle; the two have previously worked together as part of the Sax Pack, a group of saxophonists.
“I jumped at the chance to participate,” Kashiwa said. “It’s up to each community to do what they can (to help in the fight against cancer).”
Kashiwa and Cole, backed by an ensemble of other Seattle area-based musicians, will perform selections from their solo work and songs from their Sax Pack days.
“We’ve got a great band lined up,” Kashiwa, who leads ensembles and teaches online courses at Shoreline Community College, said. “It’s going to be an evening of feel-good music. We hope to bring the people out … to help fund cancer research.”
Tickets range in price from $48 to $75 and can be purchased online at kpcenter.org, by calling 425-893-9900 or by visiting the KPC box office at 350 Kirkland Ave. The doors open at 6:30 for a social hour, and food and beverages will be available for purchase.
To donate directly to In Concert for Cancer or for more information, visit inconcertforcancer.org.
