A Concert of Hope

A Concert of Hope

Auckland community groups and talented locals are joining forces to put on a fundraising concert for the Philippines on 29 November.

Filipianz spokesperson Maria Siayngco says the concert is a way for the wider Auckland community, including the local Filipino community, to come together and support the Philippines in the wake of the Typhoon Haiyan tragedy.

“We have all heard of the terrible and deadly Typhoon Haiyan that has struck the Philippines. It has been declared as the strongest typhoon in the world, ever recorded. It was initially feared that approximately 10,000 Filipinos had perished in the tragedy in Tacloban, Leyte and other nearby regions. Those who survived have lost families and shelters and now have little or no food and are subject to disease.

“Nearly a million people are displaced – In short they need help,” Maria says. The concert, to be held at SKYCITY Theatre, is a variety performance concert with acts from around Auckland offering their services to raise money for this very worthy cause.

The headline act for the concert is one of New Zealand’s finest entertainers, Tina Cross. Tina’s career spans four decades, from winning the 1979 Pacific Song Contest, to theatre performances with many of the world’s biggest names, and with her own group The LadyKillers.

Tina says she jumped at the chance to be a part of the concert. ''If the gift of song can make a difference by helping to generate funds for the people of the Philippines, then it is truly my privilege to be involved,” she says.

Other performances will include cast members from the 2011 Auckland season of Miss Saigon including John Hellyer, James Calcinai and Jane Horder.

North Shore Music Theatre is particularly honoured to be assisting produce this concert, says president Mark Betty. “We have a very fond relationship with the Filipino cast from Miss Saigon, many of whom have families directly affected by the tragic typhoon,” he says.

SKYCITY Theatre has donated the use of the theatre and resources to the event. iTICKET are providing ticketing at no cost to the event, and will also donate back the booking fees. Organisers wish to express their gratitude to these two businesses for their very generous role in making the event happen.

All funds raised through the concert will be passed onto to the NZ Red Cross to ensure the money makes its way to where it is needed.

ENDS.

© Scoop Media