Choruses unite to help CHOW

The 10th Annual Choruses for CHOW Benefit Concert will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, 380 Main St., Johnson City.

The concert, which raises money for the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW) of the Broome County Council of Churches, will feature the Binghamton Downtown Singers, the Montrose Christmas Chorale, the Bronzissimo! Bell Choir, the Carousel Harmony Chorus, the Endwell Community Chorus and the Southerntiersmen Barbershop Chorus.

The individual groups will perform a range of musical styles and combine for a grand finale.

The timing of the event is especially important, as the need for food spikes at this time of year, because Broome County students who participate in food nutrition programs in their schools will be on extended breaks during December.

Tickets in advance are $8 and can be purchased by calling the Broome County Council of Churches at 724-9130.

Tickets also will be sold at the door for $10.

EPAC hosts CHOW benefit Saturday

The Endicott Performing Arts Center will host the Community Dance Showcase Benefit for Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse at 3 p.m. Saturday.

The showcase will feature many local artists, including Bruce’s Kountry Kickers, EPAC’s Dance Stories, EPAC’s adult jazz and tap, Southern Tier Dance Society, USA Dance and more. A variety of dance styles will be represented, including country, jazz, tap, swing, ballroom, lyrical and modern.

The director of CHOW, Mike Leahey, says he is thankful for the community’s support of CHOW. This time of year, when children are home from school, the need for non-perishable food items increases substantially. He noted that the following items are in high demand: non-perishable fruits and vegetables, tuna, peanut butter, cereal, and macaroni and cheese.

The event is free, but each audience member should bring two items for CHOW. Bins will be placed at the entrance to the theater. Seating is general admission on a first-come, first-served basis.

EPAC is located at 102 Washington Ave. in Endicott. For more information, call 785-8903 or go online to endicottarts.com.

Kenny Rogers to play benefit concert at Arena

BINGHAMTON -- Flood victims and volunteers who lent a helping hand will be treated to a concert by legendary singer Kenny Rogers during a benefit concert Dec. 15.

Proceeds from the concert, which will be held at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, will also benefit the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse, Catholic Charities and the American Red Cross, which have been providing flood relief.

"I think this is going to be a healing event for the community," said Bruce Boyea, chairman, president and CEO of Security Mutual Life Insurance Co., the event's lead sponsor.

He noted that 1,700 seats will be reserved on the Arena floor for disaster clients and volunteers. Tickets for those seats will be distributed by the flood-relief agencies, he said. For everyone else, tickets are $27 and will be available at the Arena box office.

People are still dealing with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Lee, officials noted. More than 1,000 buildings still have no power in the county, Broome County Executive Patrick Brennan said."We have a good portion of our people who aren't back to normal yet," he said.

Written by
Jennifer Micale