(6:30pm) - Chris Goslow @Art From the Heart: Benefit for Alzheimer's Services of the East Bay May 5, 2011

Chris Goslow

"Art from the Heart" Fundraising Event this Thursday in Piedmont, California

Do you love to make a difference for others? Of course! Who doesn't? I’m writing to tell you about a special opportunity you have to do that this Thursday night, May 5th. The event is “Art from the Heart,” a food- , wine-filled fundraising event and auction that I will be playing for at the Piedmont Community Hall in Piedmont. This event will benefit Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay (also known as “ASEB”), a Bay Area organization that provides essential day care for people with Alzheimer’s.
I don’t know if you’ve ever known anyone with Alzheimer’s, but I have. My grandmother had it before she died. But even to the end of her days, she always appreciated music, and she appreciated hearing me play. In fact, I can remember playing Christmas carols, which she loved, sometime before her death. Even though she was in many ways mentally gone, she still responded to the music in a positive and lucid way. It was this that originally gave me the idea to play piano for the elderly. In fact, the very first place I performed when I started doing piano shows in July of 2009 was at an Alzheimer’s and dementia care center. I have found out time and time again the joy of playing for and REACHING people who I might otherwise not hope to be able to reach. Such is the power of music.
In the past two years, I have done over four hundred piano shows for dozens of communities and types of events all over the Bay Area. Yet few audiences have been more lively, and more responsive to live music than the people at Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay. Honestly, at first I was surprised when I came in and people immediately started dancing and singing along enthusiastically to everything I played! I soon learned to appreciate the lively, joyous spirit of ASEB and the space it creates for its participants. Also, I appreciate the valuable service it gives families (many of whom are low-income and work full-time) who might not have any other outlet for outside day care for their family members.
Unfortunately, recent budget challenges in California threaten the funding people have received to use ASEB and its services. So I am enthusiastically happy to recommend that you come and support ASEB by attending this terrific event, which as I said, will feature catering, wine, and an auction (of valuable items donated by local businesses and of art by the participants in the program!). Last but not least, I will be providing live music for the event, so feel free to come on by and say hi!
Here’s the info:

"Art From the Heart"
An Event to Benefit Individuals and Families Supported by
Alzheimer's Services of the East Bay (ASEB)
May 5, 2011
6:30-9pm
Piedmont Community Hall
711 Highland Ave
Piedmont, CA

Cost: $50 per person

Unable to make it Thursday night but still want to contribute to Alzheimer's of the East Bay? You can visit their website and donate securely online.

Thank you in advance. Your contribution will help keep ASEB funded so that families can continue using this service in the face of challenging budget problems and potential cuts due to California's budget crisis.

See you Thursday night!

Sincerely,
Chris Goslow

http://www.chrisgoslow.com