After the Storm Benefit to Feature Sheik, Ahrens, Flaherty, Doyle, Foldesi

By Andrew Gans
August 17, 2009

We Are the Song: After the Storm, a concert to benefit The North Rampart Community Center (formerly St. Mark's Community Center), will be presented Aug. 31 at Joe's Pub.

Presented by Randy Redd, the evening will feature songs and performances by songwriters Duncan Sheik, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Chris Miller, Jenny Giering and Sean Barry, Rob Rokicki, Wesley Whatley, Bill Schermerhorn and Doug Katsaros, Craig Fols and Fred Thaler, Michael Cooper and Hyeyoung Kim, Michael Walker and Kyle Ewalt, Kevin Hammonds, Barbara Anselmi and Ken Clifton as well as singers Rachel Bay Jones, Matt Doyle, Ali Stroker, Cole Burden, Matt Stocke, Julie Foldesi and Robin Skye.

Musical director Aaron Jodoin will lead a seven-piece band. Additional performers will be announced shortly.

The title of the event is taken from the new song written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty for the film "After the Storm," a feature-length documentary that "follows the production of the musical Once On This Island at St. Mark's from auditions through performances and also includes the story of each young actor's life in the wake of Katrina. The focus is not on rescues, evacuations and losses, but on survival, hopes and dreams," according to press notes. The film, which opened the LA Film Festival in July, is due to premiere in New York in October.

For tickets to the upcoming concert, priced $20, visit www.joespub.com or call (212) 967-7555. Joe's Pub is located within the Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street.

Visit www.afterthestormfoundation.org for more information.

*

The After the Storm Foundation was established to offer assistance and support not only to North Rampart Street Community Center but to other already existing relief organizations currently serving the youth of New Orleans.