New Bern Sun Journal
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Concert for a Cause
August 12, 2004
Christine Neff and Martha L. Hall
Sun Journal Staff Musicians donate their time, songs to aid cancer fight
Vicki Blankenship distinguishes herself as both a performer and a cancer survivor.
As a singer/songwriter, Blankenship has played before Conway Twitty, George Jones, EmmyLou Harris and James Taylor. She recently won the 2004 Cape Fear Songwriter's Showdown in Wilmington. As a survivor, she has been fighting bladder cancer since she was diagnosed with it in 1998.
Blankenship and her band, Dryads, along with musicians Patti Witten, Danielle Miraglia and Allison Tartalia will be performing Music for Life, a presentation of folk, jazz, blues and rock at the concert at the New Bern Sheraton Grand on Aug. 27. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Witten, from Ithaca, N.Y., blends folk-pop style with poetic lyrics. Witten's father was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1983. Surgery removed a lung in 1988 but the cancer spread to his brain. A week after his 41st wedding anniversary in 1995, he fell while walking, and died from complications of a head injury.
Miraglia, out of Boston, hails as a folk singer/songwriter with blues influences.
"Many people in my life have been affected by this disease in one way or another. I've seen more conquer it in the past few years than ever before, which shows that there has been progress and gives me hope that it can only get better. I'm fortunate to be able to contribute toward that effort doing something I love," said Miraglia.
Tartalia, from New York City, infuses a touch of jazz to the program.
"Over four years ago, my mother was diagnosed with a T4 lung tumor, with pleural effusion," Tartalia said. "It had spread to the chest wall, so surgery was never an option. They gave her a year at most. To everyone's surprise, she went into remission 10 months later."
Over the next three years, she had five kinds of chemotherapy as well as radiation after it metastasized to the brain. They started hospice and gave her four to six weeks to live.
"Nine months later, when they said that she wouldn't make it through the weekend, she defied that prediction, too," Tartalia said. "We half suspect that she must have overheard the hospice nurse's prediction and said to herself 'That's what YOU think!' She was an incredible woman with a wry sense of humor and an iron will. I don't think she ever accepted the possibility that her disease was something she couldn't beat."
Born in the Virginia Blue Ridge, Blankenship has heavy bluegrass influences in her original music.
"I could write a book on why this event is so special to me and there is no short way to say it," Blankenship said. "In the early nineties, I lost two very dear friends to lung cancer. All I could think after they were gone was that I had passed over so many opportunities to give to cancer research when I could and I didn't."
In 1998, Blankenship went to the doctor thinking she had a bladder infection and the first spot of cancer in her bladder was detected. Her music, which had been laid aside for 13 years, became her savior. She returned to her music -- and writing and performing. In 2000, the cancer returned and the treatments were increased.
"I had been performing again part time around places in and near Charlotte and Raleigh and once again my music went on the back burner. I did a few small shows but watching people look at my dark sunken in eyes and wearing a bandana to hide the bald head was a little shocking. Once again the urgency to do all the things I wanted to do in life hit harder than before."
All of the artists have had dealings with the disease themselves or watched friends and family go through the trial.
"It touches everybody. There's not a person out there that doesn't know someone that has cancer," Blankenship said.
Of performing as a cancer survivor Blankenship said, "I try to always look for the positive. When I am in front of audiences, I can make people aware. I try not to get too political, but I say to support your local chapters."
She has been supporting the cause in New Bern for several years now. Two years ago, she walked in the Relay for Life survivor event after finishing a round of chemotherapy. She even dedicated portions of the proceeds from her latest CD to the American Cancer Society, but wanted to do more.
"That wasn't enough. I wanted to do some kind of fund-raiser to raise money for the local chapters," Blankenship said.
She had a vision for a benefit concert series and sent requests for entertainers to Indiegrrl, an organization of independent women musicians. After two weeks of narrowing down the responses and several months of planning, the Music for Life three-day concert series transpired.
In addition to New Bern's show, the artists will play for audiences in Wilmington's City Stage on Aug. 26 and at The Flip Side in Clayton on Aug. 28. A 12-song compilation CD of the artists' originals can be purchased at the venues, and a raffle will be held. All profits go to the American Cancer Society.
Advance tickets and compilation CDs are available for purchase at http://www.spottedkivaproductions.com. Tickets are also available at Port City Java, 323 Middle St. and Crabby Jack's Restaurant, 2600 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd. in New Bern. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. |
