Sing For Hope - An Amazing Gala
My nephew, Christopher Herbert, is the Director of Advancement for Sing for Hope. Sing for Hope is a non-profit organization that mobilizes more than 600 professional artists in volunteer service programs that benefit communities in need. These artists include classical musicians, Broadway performers, dancers, poets, and photographers. Christopher invited me to attend last Saturday evening's 2009 Gala, Songs for Our Future. It was held at The Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center in New York City and I must say, it was a sensational event. Christopher, who is also a singer, was unable to perform that night as he had just flown in the evening before from his European recital debut in Paris.
The Sing for Hope honorees of the evening were Renée Fleming - Metropolitan Opera star, Grammy Award winning soprano, and Sing for Hope board member; Jane Fonda - Academy award winning actress and social activist; Reynold Levy - Philanthropic leader and President of Lincoln Center; and Muhammad Yunus - 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient, and Sing for Hope board member. The performances were simply amazing - a superb talent show of professional artists! I understand that the fund raising portion of the Gala was a resounding success, as it should be. I am very impressed with this organization and what it does for communities in need.
1 Here I am with my nephew, Christopher.
2 Soprano and Sing for Hope Honoree and Board Member Renée Fleming with Sing for Hope's co-founders Camille Zamora and Monica Yunus
3 John McVeigh - Tenor - performed 'Being Alive' from Company.
4 Laquita Mitchell - Soprano - sang 'I Had Myself a True Love' from St. Louis Woman.
5 Joshua Hopkins - Baritone - sang 'Some Enchanted Evening' from South Pacific.
6 Michael Todd Simpson - Baritone - performed 'Vôtre Toast' from Carmen.
7 Edyta Kulczak - Mezzo-Soprano - sang 'Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix' from Samson et Dalila.
8 Djordje Nesic - piano accompanist for the evening
9 Saimir Pirgu - performed 'La donna è moblie' from Rigoletto.
10 Judi and Joseph Flom, the co-chairs of the Sing for Hope Songs for Our Future 2009 Gala - Photo Credit Nan Melville
11 Muhammad Yunus, Monica Yunus (Sing for Hope's co-founder), Jane Fonda, Annette Allen, and Eva Haller (Chairman of the Board of Sing for Hope) Photo Credit Nan Melville
12 Billie Jean King and Jane Fonda - Photo Credit Nan Melville
13 Daisy Jopling - Violinist - played 'Libertango.' - Photo Credit Nan Melville
14 Laquita Mitchell, Michael Todd, Kirsten Chavez, and Camille Zamora sing from the opera Carmen. Photo Credit Nan Melville
15 Djordje Nesic - piano and Tituss Burgess - Tenor performing 'God Bless the Child' Photo Credit Nan Melville
16 The Young at Arts Ensemble performed for the gala. Photo Credit Nan Melville
17 Howard McGillin - singer/actor - sang 'Something's Coming' from West Side Story. Photo Credit Nan Melville
18 Sing for Hope's student - Ayala Martin - spoke about Billie Jean King as an inspirational figure. Photo Credit Nan Melville
19 Lisa Strum - Sing for Hope Teaching Artist and Donor Artist - performed a monologue. Photo Credit Nan Melville
Hi Martha! what an amazing and beautiful Gala for Sing for Hope, with great Sopranos. I admire Renee Fleming and Monica Yunus.
God bless
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | November 25th, 2009 at 1:13 am
Whoa! Thrilling. Just reading the names of the performers and the songs they sang gave me shivers.
Posted by: Elizabeth Gage | November 25th, 2009 at 1:20 am
You must be very proud of your nephew. I remember the segments on your old shows from the 90's when he used to sing, usually around Christmas.
Looks like a fun evening. By the way Jane Fonda looks great!!
Posted by: Maureen | November 25th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Music is good.
Posted by: Margie | November 25th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Thanks for photos.
Once again we all can travel
'over the hills and thru the woods'
and give Thanks that we have hope.
Posted by: ann | November 25th, 2009 at 11:44 am
What a noble cause. Thank you for sharing this.
Posted by: Shannon at Old World Charm | November 25th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Hi Martha,
All that talent in one room – overwhelming! And Christopher could have sung too if he hadn’t just flown in from Paris! That is so exciting! Laura, you have great kids but then they have a great mom and dad and aunts and uncles too and I know you are all proud. We may watch from afar but after all these years, you guys are like family to a lot of us. (How did you like that ‘you guys’?)
~
That is an amazing organization and I really need to get out more or search more sites on the web because I had not heard of it before this. Their mission statement is impressive; the founders certainly had a great idea when they came up with their plan. Thanks for bringing the evening to us Martha! Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 25th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Oh Martha, this looked like a FABulous evening! You MUST be so proud of your nephew Christopher (and niece Sophie)...sister/momLaura should be, too! These fine folks are truly making a difference in their young lives and are destined for continued success in their futures.
~
I am very pleased that you are finding value and pleasure in music in YOUR life, Martha. It is integral in mine, having been raised on classical music as a young child and learning to read music and play the violin while growing up. Tonight actually, I'll be singing in a choir at a local Community Thanksgiving Eve service, where volunteers from individual church choirs join together, as the different houses of faith represented deliver a brief Thanksgiving greeting/message. Canned foods/gifts of monies will be accepted on behalf of our local food bank. It, albeit on a smaller scale in comparison, will be a very fulfilling evening!
~
Well, tomorrow's the big day!...have a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving day, Martha, with your family and loved ones, the 'girls' - Frannie and Sharkey, as well as all your other wonderful little animal companions!
~
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | November 25th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Marvellous and inspirational! So great Martha that you are very supportive of Christopher and take interest in his endevours. We must support such lovely young people!
Posted by: sherey | November 25th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
My Gramma absolutely loves watching your shows, reading about you!
I wanted to tell you, I think your cooking is phenominal! I bought couple cook books.
I was wondering: I work with Autistic children, and a few of them have Celiac disease. I'm wondering if you have a gluten free cookbook that I could purchase. I'd buy two, one for us...we are going wheat free, and one for my work for Christmas. We bake for the kids at work.
I hope to hear you do have such a cookbook!
I enjoyed watching your pie baking contest, thanks for sharing!
WIshing you blessings,
Julie
Posted by: Julie | November 25th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
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Giving back, and with elegance!
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Our culture portrays our 'culture' through the power of the arts. I am replete with favor toward all that this spectacular group of individuals is accomplishing!
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We here in Pilgrim territory will be thinking of you 'round our table tomorrow. I give thanks that 4 years ago I wondered who this Martha Stewart Company belonged to!
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Forgive me for not tuning in sooner. I tend to eat out of cans and wear my sweatshirts inside out. Domesticity, I thought, meant aprons and rolling pins!
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Thank you for helping me tidy up, as well as discover that there's a world of exquisite lifestyle attached to that rolling pin wheeling down the banquet table!!!
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With Love and Thanksgiving,
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A and the W's
Banquet Table, Plymouth Massachusetts
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Posted by: Andrea and the Weimaraners | November 25th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
My Gram ma absolutely loves watching your shows, reading about you!
I wanted to tell you, I think your cooking is phenomenal! I bought a couple cook books.
I work with Autistic children, and a few of them have Celiac disease. I'm wondering if you have a gluten free cookbook that I could purchase. I'd buy two, one for my family, (we are going wheat free), and one for my work for Christmas. We bake for the kids at work.
I hope to hear you do have such a cookbook!
I enjoyed watching your pie baking contest, thanks for sharing!
Wishing you blessings,
Julie
Posted by: Julie | November 25th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Martha - You had nothing to apologize to Rachael Ray for, though it was certainly a gracious gesture. For god's sake, she doesn't cook her onions before she puts them in meatballs, just so she can stick to her 30-minute schtick. Sorry, Rachel, I don't have time for a bad meal.
Martha, I'm giving three friends DINNER AT HOME for Christmas this year.
Thanks for all you do.
Posted by: Jay | November 25th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Homeless Thanksgiving
Well, sun is up, there's a chill in the city air.
Today I hope not too many people stare.
Some consider the homeless bedeviled,
At our very best, we always look disheveled.
Once upon a time I drove a swanky car
According to headlines I was thought a star.
My rotten judgment led to utter disaster,
In a heartbeat my world was alabaster.
Family had sucked me dry, friends hard to find,
Fans had not stuck by, no tie to bind.
Alone again, loosing my bits and pieces,
Eventually, my expensive pants had no creases.
I fully understand now life's ups and downs.
The speed of my ruination still astounds.
My new friend has four legs he thinks I'm great!
We panhandle together and trust in fate.
Some folks, who wouldn't throw us under the bus
Share some extra food with the likes of us,
If we get an invite we won't be late,
Our thanks will be for a nice warm grate.
Is that what we mean when we say "grateful"?
Just asking! Luv to all and happy Thanksgiving.
The song in my heart - Canadian Sunset.
Posted by: celia stock | November 25th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Hi Martha, What a terrific blog about your nephew, Christopher Herbert. He is one very handsome, talented young man. He and his sister are absolutely fantastic and I'm sure both you and Laura are so very proud of both of them. I can't wait to see what their younger brother, Charlie, does with his life. Loved your presence on the Today show today. You did extremely well, even with your laryngitis. You seemed to be a little better later on your show today. Hope you can get some rest and get rid of that frustrating laryngitis. I know how it is because I used to get it back when I worked every day. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Alexis and Kevin, as well as the girls. Have a great extended weekend. Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 25th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Thanks for the coupons in this month's MS Living magazine. My favorite gift was bought at Hallmark with the Hallmark coupon. It is a recordable storybook we intend to send to our new foster niece and nephew in Lubbock Texas so they can get to know us, though they are far away. We will read them a story and all they have to do is turn the pages.
THANK YOU!!!
Posted by: Karon McGaha | November 28th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Dear martha,I love your shows,shopping for your items,etc.This year,I found out I have stage four breast cancer,it was shocking,but my biggest fear was leaving my son momless.I love x-mas,buying gifts,baking,family,seeing strangers being nice to each other.This year is hard for me,my paychecks are very small,too small for giving.I want to cancel x-mas but,I do not want my son to be sad.If I had one wish this year,it would be to have one of the best x-mas ever with present under the tree.This year,even if I can not buy anything at least I can be bless with another year of life with my famliy.even if I can not give my son any gift cards,I love him dearly.I know he think about my illness and trys to be stronge for both of us and that's a son.Some times at home along I think about how x-mas will be this year,it makes me sad sometimes but I do not let them know this,I keep it to myseft,I do not want to make my son sad.I know that in my dark clouds,I will be able to pull out a rainbowl.Some of us are lucky,I am just lucky to have a son who loves me,that is one of the greatest things in life.I hope you have one the the nicest x-mas and new year with lots of blessings.Your freind from wayne new jersey.
Posted by: magda | November 28th, 2009 at 11:28 am
So marvelous; John McVeigh is a wonderful neighbor of mine in Portland. I am a barista across the street from his lovely shop, and I serve him coffee all the time. I've been a fan of "Living" for years; it's so neat to see him on your blog.
Posted by: Dena | December 5th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
I was one of the co-chairs of this event and am a board member of Sing For Hope. I am involved with this organization because of the truly wonderful things it does (go to the Sing For Hope website ....www.singforhope.org and check it out), but also because of the truly wonderful people involved with it. One of them is Renee Fleming, who is not only THE greatest opera singer of all time but a truly beautiful person, inside and out and one of the most charitable people I have ever met. The others are virtually all of the gifted performers who volunteer their talents and time, completely without being paid, to the numerous causes Sing For Hope is involved with. This includes Monica Yunus and Camille Zamora the co-founders of Sing For Hope, and also, very importantly, Christopher Herbert, who is the nephew Martha is talking about in this blog. I know Christopher very well and know Martha only very briefly (although, like everyone in this world, I would certainly like to get to know her better) but all I can say is that from knowing Christopher, the Stewarts must all be one of the most wonderful and charitable and intelligent families in the world. Christopher is not only a fabulous singer, but a fabulous person and a huge asset to Sing For Hope. I am so happy to be able to know him as well as be involved with Sing For Hope and I encourage everyone to find out more about this wonderful organization because it truly changes so many people's lives.
Posted by: Judi Flom | December 7th, 2009 at 1:51 am
Dear Martha,
I found you through Twitter and I am fascinated. I work in Burundi for a relief organization who helps orphans, street children, young mothers and we built a school and have also some micro-credit projects.
Burundi still suffers from civil war between the ethnic groups of Hutu and Tutsi.
I just wanted to contact you and ask you if you think that any support is possible for children in Burundi? If yes, please contact my under my email-adress.
Very looking forward to hearing from you and kind regards from Bujumbura,
Philipp
Posted by: Philipp Ziser | December 22nd, 2009 at 4:39 am