Concert will benefit refugees

Music lovers with a heart for giving practical help to refugees fleeing war and subjugation are invited to a benefit concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Pullman.

Accomplished local musicians will perform works by composers who were refugees in their time, along with music that reflects hardship from oppression. The Spokane Resettlement Center for World Relief, an international charity, will benefit from the proceeds of the concert. Every ticket sale will be matched two for one for by a federal grant, according to Nancy Mack, Pullman.

Speakers from World Relief will briefly highlight a refugee’s experience and the initial living expense support and employment program provided to refugees who have recently arrived. Approximately 75 people per month are expected this fall.

The United States State Department predicts a total of 600 refugees coming to this area for 2016.

Featured on the concert will be a performance of Bela Bartok’s “Rumanian Dances” performed by the Palouse Chamber Players, Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise” sung by soprano Anjuli Dodhia, music arranged from “Schindler’s List” played by Ginny Hauser on the flute and Mary Carloye on the piano, plus vocal selections of Sheila Converse and piano music of Chopin performed by Kathy Spencer.

A social reception with free ethnic food bites will follow the concert.

Tickets are $25 at Neill’s Flowers in Pullman, Bookpeople in Moscow, and at the door with checks payable to CCUCC. Tickets may be purchased with credit cards at Bookpeople or online at http://www.bookpeopleofmoscow.com by Sept. 16. Additional donations to World Relief will be welcomed and tax deductible.

Parking is free in the church’s lot on WSU’s College Hill at Opal and Campus Streets. Further information at http://www.pullmanucc.org.