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Cadillac Hotel Benefit Concert Date: November 14th My friend and amazing cellist, Rebecca Roudman, has organized this incredible benefit for the endangered Cadillac Hotel, including myself, Lavay Smith, Paul Hanson, Wendy DeWitt, Carol Roudman, Jesus Angel Garcia (Three Times Bad), Noel Benkman, Dirty Cello, Sterling Spence and Jaylene Chung (of Coyote Bandits). The following is a message from Rebecca. “In 2011 I received an email from a pianist who invited me to perform with him in San Francisco at the Cadillac Hotel. I had never heard of this venue, but was excited to perform somewhere new. Our performance was held at noon on a Friday. The Cadillac Hotel is situated in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. When I entered the hotel, I was surprised to learn that it was not a hotel anymore but a supportive housing development for over 160 tenants. They have a beautiful lobby, dominated by an old fireplace and a beautiful antique Steinway piano. I set up my cello and the pianist and I warmed up before the performance. When we were about to begin our show, about 30 residents were seated in the audience, plus some audience members who worked in San Francisco who came to hear the concert during their lunch break. We performed 3 pieces, and each time we finished a piece, we were met with warm and appreciative applause. After the performance, many residents went up to me and complimented us and were very thankful that we were there to perform for them. Since then, I’ve come back to the Cadillac Hotel over and over again to perform for one of my favorite audiences. The woman behind these noontime concerts is Kathy Looper. Kathy Looper not only works with residents to provide housing and a safe place to live, but works to brighten their day through a series of concerts for both the residents of the Cadillac Hotel and anyone from the neighborhood who wants to let their cares drift away and sit back and hear a concert. Recently while doing a concert there, Kathy seemed very upset. When I talked with her, she told me that they had recently received an order from the city to upgrade the buildings electrical system at a cost of over $300,000. This benefit concert is to help both the Cadillac Hotel and Kathy Looper keep doing what they do to help some very vulnerable people. Along with the Cadillac Hotel, also in jeopardy is a doctor’s office for Chinese immigrants, the Bay Area Women’s and Children’s Center, a HeadStart program for 40 children, the Tenderloin Museum and SF Clean City. Please join us for a concert to help raise money for these worthwhile services. We’ll be holding an exciting concert featuring a diverse range of San Francisco based musical acts who are donating their time. The concert will be free, but we’ll be asking for donations to help Kathy manage the electrical upgrade bill.” |
