Comma Coffee keeps fund-raising efforts going with concert

From jazz to acoustic, rock to Celtic, a slew of local musicians came together at Comma Coffee, Saturday, to donate their talents and raise money for the victims of last month's deadly tsunami in South Asia.

The Tsunami Relief Benefit Concert featured 19 bands jamming out 14 hours of continuous music for the cause.

The money raised was slated to go to AmeriCares, a nonprofit group that Comma Coffee owner and musician, June Joplin, narrowed down from some 20 possible organizations.

"I did some investigation and found out they have a lot of experience in disaster relief and carry a low administrative overhead," said Joplin, a regular visitor to Bali who considers the disaster a personal tragedy.

Though thousands of remote miles away, "I feel like I can put a face on some of the victims," she said, mournfully.

Joplin said that now the story has been pushed off the front pages and onto the back burner of public discourse, it's really one of the most important times to send help.

"It's like a funeral," she said. "Everybody comes to mourn at once, but it's really the period afterward when the help is needed most."

State Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell came out early to support the cause. She agreed with Joplin's assessment.

"I've been waiting to make a contribution for a month," she said. "Now that the Iraqi elections are happening, they're going to be the big news. But how could we ever forget this huge tragedy?"

JoAnn Grace, who teaches Salsa dancing at the coffeehouse, noted the vulnerability of the children in the effected areas.

"You just feel like you have to do something," she said. "It's not a matter of choice."

Musician Kate Cotter never saw the pictures of the destruction as she chooses not to watch TV, but just the same, was genuinely horrified by the images in her head gathered from what she read about the catastrophe. "My first thought was just focused on what an extraordinary amount of lives were lost," she said.

Musician and band organizer for the event, Jen Scaffidi, sat behind the mixing table and brushed off any credit for her hard work and dedication to the effort. She planned on working the entire event, from set-up to clean-up, some 16 hours.

"It was just a question of, you know, where am I going to send my money this month?" said the altruist.

Jordan Crittendon and 2-year-old daughter, Cynthia, were enjoying the music and supporting the cause. Cynthia even got up to dance as the band Marten's Platform took the stage.

Also available at the concert were special "tsunami relief" T-shirts designed by Cindy Farmer. Her daughter, Ashley Zorn, was on hand to sell them, with all the proceeds going to the Red Cross.

Joplin said she wanted to give a big thanks to artist Doug Reynolds for designing the fliers for the event and Maytan Music Center for donating the PA system.

Contact reporter Peter Thompson at pthompson@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1215.