Fans of pop music 1960s style are in for a treat courtesy of the Port Washington Lions Club.
The Lions Club’s first Benefit Concert will feature Jay and the Americans, along with The Chiffons, at 8 p.m. on May 16, at the Landmark on Main Street.
The Port Washington Lions Club joins the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC) to spearhead this musical show. Proceeds will go to support the unique services HKNC provides to people across the country who have a combined hearing and vision loss.
Jay and the Americans’ breakout hit song was “She Cried.” The group’s next chart hit was “Only In America,” followed by top 10 hits “Come A Little Bit Closer,” “Cara Mia,” and “This Magic Moment.” These songs and many others are featured in Jay and the Americans show, along with stories of the artists and writers who influenced this 1960’s super-group.
The Chiffons, with lead singer Judy Mann still with the group, was one of the top girl groups of the early 1960’s. Known for their harmony, confidence, and hits such as “One Fine Day,” the Chiffons made music that helped define the girl group sound of the era.
The Lions have been able to raise the money to pay for the concert through the generosity of the following: Anthony Scaramucci and Skybridge Capital, the Jerri and Peter Dejana Foundation, the Reali Brothers of Royal Carting, Donny Kurz and Plumbing Pro, Gillis and George Poll of Poll Restaurants, Victor Musso of Port Commons, the Port Washington Fire Department, Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace, and John and Jeff Foccaro of Burger Brothers. Many other entities are helping by purchasing ads in the Concert Program.
A primary mission of the Lions Clubs International is to support those who have vision and hearing loss. The Lions Clubs International is the largest charitable organization in the world, with more than 1.2 million members from 200 countries in more than 45,000 individual clubs.
HKNC is the only comprehensive national program that provides information, referral, support, and training exclusively to youths and adults who are deaf-blind. The residential-based training program, located at its headquarters in Sands Point, provides evaluation, short-term vocational and rehabilitation training, as well as assistance to consumers in locating employment, housing, and community resources in their home states.
In the New York metropolitan area, HKNC’s Community Services Program provides rehabilitation, vocational, and support services to individuals who are deaf-blind in their homes, work sites, and communities. The center’s field services include 11 regional offices throughout the country, over 40 affiliated agencies, and senior adult services.
Tickets for the concert can be purchased through www.helenkeller.org or http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/607562.
Tickets for premium seating are $52 and $47 for standard seating. For additional information on the show contact teff721@gmail.com. For more information on obtaining tickets contact drodriguez@helenkeller.org.
