New Renaissance Singers have surprise in store

loading...

Followers of one of Bangor’s favorite choral groups, The New Renaissance Singers, are in for a surprise when they attend its spring concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at First Congregational Church of Brewer, located at 35 Church St.

Bill Shook reports the group, known for its “performances of music from the Renaissance and Baroque eras,” will celebrate its 15th season with “something a little different.”

Shook explained, “NRS is going to transition itself from the long hair of early music to the long hair of the ’60s and ’70s rock era!”

The concert is titled “The Beat Goes On” and will range from the music of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas to “Show Boat” and “emerge in the second half of the concert with music by Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and others of the baby boom era.”

The singers, directed by Laura Green and accompanied by Dora Rexrode, will be joined by guest percussionist David Halvorson.

Admission is free, but a donation of $5 would be appreciated. “Such offerings greatly help in the purchase of music and supplies and to compensate our artistic staff,” Shook wrote.

A “Spring Fling” goodies basket will be raffled, and singers and guests will enjoy refreshments after the concert.

Shook wrote that the singers “look forward to seeing old and new friends at this special musical event.”

Mary McFadden reports that members of Dennysville-Edmunds Congregational Church are hosts to two events to help with financial burdens incurred for medical treatment by two young church members: Josh Barker and Matt Durand.

The first event is a Chinese raffle beginning at noon Saturday, June 9, at Edmunds Consolidated School.

The second is a bean supper at 5 p.m. that day at the school.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children or $15 for a family.

Proceeds will help with medical expenses incurred by the young men.

Barker, 24, is known as the “Spin Skater of Pinpoint Pond.” He has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, which is an enlargement of the heart, McFadden wrote. Last week it was announced that he would receive a mechanical ventricular assist device to help his heart work more efficiently.

Durand, 22, has cystic fibrosis. He has recently undergone a double lung transplant.

Both young men have been patients at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

If you cannot attend, but would like to make a contribution, contact Richard Hobart, 80 Belyea Road, Edmunds 04628.

Although this event takes place in southern Maine, Lisa Wahlstrom reminds readers that the Maine affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which is based in Bangor and represents all of Maine, is hosting its second Pink Tie Ball beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 15, at Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland.

The fundraiser includes dinner followed by dancing with Motor Booty Affair. Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased at www.komenmaine.com.

A specially designed Pandora bracelet will be raffled, and raffle tickets can be purchased online. You do not need to be present to win.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Maine affiliate’s work to support programs that provide breast cancer screening, education and treatment throughout Maine, according to the organization.

For information about the event, the organization or making an appointment to receive educational materials, call 262-7117, write Komen Maine Affiliate, P.O. Box 1626, Bangor 04402-1626, or visit the affiliate’s Web site.

Speaking of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Maine affiliate, president Diane Aston recently announced it has passed a milestone by reaching the $1 million mark in grants awarded during its 10-year history.

“In the current fiscal year alone, 10 Maine grantees will receive $261,731,” she wrote.

The organization raises money throughout the year to help in the fight against breast cancer. Its major fundraisers include the Pink Tie Ball and the Race for the Cure held in September.

Aston appreciates the “help and support of our sponsors, donors and volunteers” in enabling the organization “to reach this fundraising landmark.”

She reports “up to 75 percent of net funds” remain in Maine … distributed in the form of grants to breast cancer programs throughout the state that provide education, screening and treatment for the medically underserved.”

Aston added that at least 25 percent of the net monies help support the work of the national Komen Breast Cancer Award and Research Grant Program.

For information, use the contact information provided above.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.