Badu Tops Benefit for Music in Schools
Post in The Oakland Tribune
on Tuesday, July 8, 2003
Written by Elvira Viveros, Correspondent
Festival at Dunsmuir Historic Estate
Oakland ~ Four-time Grammy Award-winner Erykah Badu will headline a July 27 festival at Dunsmuir Historic Estate to benefit public school music programs. Proceeds from the Oakland Music Festival will help Castlemont High School and Elmhurst Middle School purchase new music instruments, chairs and audio systems and help restore an auditorium. Festival co-founder Lance Hyde of The Jazz Institute grew up in the Oakland area and decided to help after learning budget cuts would threaten the already struggling music program.
"My father and I created this festival so that underprivileged children, who don't have financial resources, can pursue a musical career," he said.
Hyde's persistent letter-writing and phone calls -- along with the help of J Records' senior vice-president Ken Wilson, a Castlemont High alumni -- convinced Badu to perform at the festival. J Records currently represents Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart and Liza Minelli.
A summer camp for young people interested in learning the record-making business is among the institute's programs. Workshops are taught by professional artists, enabling students to learn the business first-hand.
"The purpose is to offer young people an introduction to the music industry," said Lin Hall, musician and Jazz Institute founder.
"Being in the music and radio entertainment industry really enabled us to call upon people and ask for their help in putting on the festival," he said.
Hall focused on Oakland because he said many public schools have lost their once-thriving music programs.
"We support music programs that are at risk," he said.
The Castleers, the choir at Castlemont High School, will perform several songs and provide musical back-up for the artists.
Theresa Venson, 18, an alto singer for the Castleers, said she hopes to give Badu a tape of her singing.
"I hope to have one or more conversations with Erykah and show her that I can sing," Venson said.
Vallie Towns, Castlemont's music director, said the school piano needs tuning and the auditorium is in ruins, including graffiti on the walls. She said the benefit will help her program in a way the school cannot.
"Basic necessities are lacking, the sound board needs to be replaced, the podium is broken -- it is a mess," she said.
Performers Jon B., Floetry, Jonathan Butler and dead prez are also scheduled to perform. Organizers hope to raise $150,000 from the benefit and expect 5,000 concert-goers. Proceeds from the benefit will go to Sausalito-based Jazz Institute. It will distribute funds in the form of scholarships and musical equipment.
The event will include food booths and contests, and the artists will sign autographs. Sponsors for the event include KPIX-TV (Channel 5), The Oakland A's and Borders Music & Cafe. The concert is from noon to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 for general admission and $150 for VIP tickets, which include free food, drinks and priority seating. For more information, call (510) 412-0335. Dunsmuir is at 2960 Peralta Oaks, Oakland.
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