The Tipitina’s Foundation is hosting “Playing for Tip’s,” a benefit concert supporting relief efforts to help New Orleans musicians who were devastated by Hurricane Katrina, at Wente Vineyards 6 p.m., Thursday, July 27.
With the concert at Wente, the Tipitina’s Foundation can further help musicians continue their influence in the Big Easy by providing students and professionals with new instruments, free music lessons and help with housing information.
“It was an idea that was thrown on the table and it just snowballed,” said Patsy Zollars, coordinator of the “Playing for Tip’s” charity event.
After the hurricane hit, Zollars tried to get in contact with her long time friend, P.K. Scheerle, who lived in New Orleans. Two weeks after the hurricane hit, she finally got in touch with her, finding that she was alright and managing through the rubble. With her personal connection to New Orleans, Zollars decided she wanted to do something to help in the hurricane’s aftermath. Having worked with musicians in San Francisco that wished to return to their native rhythmic roots in New Orleans, Zollars knew first hand how vital the music scene is to New Orleans. She also recalled the time Scheerle visited her two years ago when the two went to see a Bonnie Raitt concert at Wente Vineyards and the great time they had at the show. Given all this, Zollars felt compelled to help her friend and other victims of the hurricane by giving to a different type of charity.
In fact, it was because of Bonnie Raitt that Zollars found the Tipitina’s Foundation. As an avid music lover, Zollars had been checking Raitt’s and Raitt’s keyboardist, Jon Cleary’s, Web site when she noticed a link to the Tipitina’s Foundation.
Zollars thought the Tipatina’s Foundation’s efforts were the perfect opportunity to give back to the many musicians who had lost their homes and their livelihoods in Louisiana. To help the aspiring artists get back on their feet, she decided to host a concert with her favorite keyboardist, Cleary.
It took 10 weeks to finalize the schedule with Cleary, and Zollars was shocked to find that Wente had an opening for the July 27 date.
“It was meant to be,” Zollars said, and mentioned the encouragement and widespread support she received from people like Adam Shipley, music director for the Tipitina’s Foundation, and Joe O’Loughlin, drummer in the opening band and co-coordinator of the event.
O’Loughlin, a Pleasanton resident and key component to the opening band, Brothers Goldman, helped plan the event from a technical stand point by working with the company Wente uses to produce shows and planning with Cleary’s tour manager.
“It’s a very important aspect of Katrina Relief. When you think of New Orleans you think of fun, you think of music; everybody is inspired in some way by New Orleans music,” Zollars said. Her passion for the revival and upkeep of such a historically influential piece of American art will hopefully prompt others to follow in her footsteps.
While the concert’s headliner will be Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, many will come to support the local Bay Area band, Brothers Goldman, who will kick-off the show with some New Orleans’ inspired blues.
Tickets cost $250 for a wine reception, dinner and the two bands. A portion of the profit, approximately $150 of each ticket, will go directly to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and will be tax deductible. Guest may also purchase a $75 ticket and arrive at 7:30 p.m. to see the bands play.
The benefit also will have numerous items for auction including a Fender Stratocaster guitar signed by the band Green Day, two tickets to the “Ellen” show, a three-day spa package to Cal-A-Vie Spa in Vista, Calif., an Abbey Road Album cover signed by Ringo Starr, a guitar signed by Chris Issak, a guitar signed by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, a “Break Up” movie poster signed by Vince Vaughn, A Big Lebowski package with items signed by John Goodman, an amazing trip to New Orleans and more.
The Tipitina’s Foundation has already given away more than $500,000 of new musical instruments and the “Playing for Tip’s” benefit concert is just one more way to help save the musical traditions of New Orleans. Zollars invites everyone to bring their friends and support the cause. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster or by calling 462-0254 for more information.
