By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent
Concertgoers in the greater Seattle community will have an opportunity to celebrate their differences at the annual “Many Voices, One Song” musical celebration on April 22.
“It’s the ninth year and it gets bigger every year,” said Trudy James, concert organizer and director of the AIDS Care Team program.
About 700 people attended the celebration last year. According to Rabbi Anson Laytner of Multifaith Works, many who attend the concert become donors and volunteers.
“This is the largest multifaith event of the year in the whole city,” said Laytner. “I expect we’re going to sell out.”
The concert will raise funds for the ongoing services of Multifaith Works including Shanti, AIDS Care Teams, Ariel MS House, Multifaith AIDS Projects Housing and Multifaith Alliance of Reconciling Communities. Multifaith Works, a Seattle-based nonprofit founded in 1988, is dedicated to the vision that people of diverse faiths and backgrounds can come together in compassion to assist those in need. Multifaith Works promotes the acceptance of spiritual and religious diversity in the community, as well as sexual orientation.
“They’re all there with one mind and it’s wonderful,” said Laytner.
Every year, a Jewish musical group performs at “Many Voices, One Song.” In the past, Jewish groups have included David Serkin-Poole, the KlezKids of Temple Beth Am and Jim and Julie Mirel. This year, Epic Klezmer, a new group featuring Wendy Marcus of Temple Beth Am will perform bittersweet Eastern European Jewish music.
“I love [Wendy’s] voice,” said Laytner.
Captain Smartypants, an ensemble of the Seattle Men’s Chorus, who performs in the concert every year, will also be back again.
“They’re very funny and we like to have some humor in the concert,” said James.
Also popular are the returning Seattle Kokon Taiko Drummers, an acclaimed Japanese-American drum performance group.
“I love the Taiko drummers. There’s such an energy about them,” said Laytner. “The whole room kind of vibrates.”
Jubilation, new to the concert this year, is one of two gospel choirs at St. Therese. The other choir, Shades of Praise, performed in “Many Voices, One Song” two years ago.
“It’s multi-generational, multicultural and we just have a lot of fun,” said Mary Lou Colasurdo of St. Therese.
Also new this year, the concert will feature Rhythms of India with traditional Sikh dancers and Joe Crookston who will perform songs of universal spirit with the Buddha Band.
“It’s a good balance,” said James. “Everyone gets a little bit of everything.”
Sign language interpreter Kevin Gallagher, who often appears with the Seattle Men’s Chorus, will sign at the concert. Rev. Debra Jarvis will emcee.
“It’s a unique concert. You can’t find one quite like it anywhere,” said James.
Anyone who purchases a ticket to the concert will have the chance to win two free tickets to anywhere American Airlines flies, an original handmade quilt by Martha Thompson or a massage. In addition to the concert, Multifaith Works will also host a wine tasting at the end of May.
If you go: “Many Voices, One Song,” is at 7 p.m. on April 22 at Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave., Seattle. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Visit www.multifaith.org or contact 206-324-1520, ext. 303 or [email protected].