LOCAL MUSICIANS PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LAST WALTZ AND HELP RAIN CITY ROCK CAMP FOR GIRLS
Several Seattle musicians will take on one of roots rock's sacred cows in a benefit show at the Tractor Tavern on November 23. The Last Waltz tribute resurrects the Band's legendary live LP/Martin Scorsese concert film to help raise funds for Rain City Rock Camp for Girls. RCRCG's mission statement, according to its website, centers on "building positive self-esteem in girls and encouraging creative expression through music. [It provides] girls with an opportunity to participate in an environment that fosters leadership, encourages social change, and cultivates a supportive community of female peers and mentors."
The 14 singers channeling Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, and Rick Danko on this night will include Jason Dodson (Maldives), Ryan Devlin and Kim West (Smokey Brights), Zach Davidson (Vendetta Red), and Star Anna Krogstie. They'll be backed by a five-piece rock band and a four-piece horn section.
"The Band has been a huge influence to me, personally, and that love and influence is shared by a lot of my friends and musical cohorts," says Jasen Samford, who organized the tribute and will be occupying Levon Helm's drum throne. "The Band represents everything great about a rock band; it highlights every member's skills with consummate versatility. I'd talked with friends for years about doing a tribute to The Last Waltz (it is 'the finest of all rock movies,' after all). The timing finally worked out right for everyone, and we were able to pull it all together. We knew we wanted to make it a benefit show, and Rain City Rock Camp for Girls is one of my favorite local charities."
Samford and company won't be performing every song from The Last Waltz at this benefit show, but they're hoping to make it an annual occurrence, so expect the rest of the album's repertoire next year if all goes according to plan. "We went through and tried to pick a sort of 'best of' song selection," Samford says. "Paring down a list of 44 amazing songs was no easy task!" Expect to hear tracks like "Up on Cripple Creek," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," and "The Weight." Neil Diamond's "Dry Your Eyes"? You'll just have to wait and see.
EARLY MUSIC GUILD HOLDS EBOLA RELIEF CONCERT
In an effort to contain Ebola in their own small but heartfelt way, Seattle's Early Music Guild will put on Ebola Relief Concert: A Musical Response at Town Hall Seattle on Monday, November 24, at 7:30 p.m. The concert is a free event, but donations will be accepted to support the efforts of Doctors Without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org) and the Hope Project in West Africa (hopeproject.org). The program presents the music of Medieval European composers Guillaume de Machaut, Francesco Landini, and Guillaume Dufay, accompanied by commentary and songs from West Africa. The musicians include vocalists Erin Calata, Erika Chang, and Marian Seibert, lutist August Denhard, percussionist Peggy Monroe, and harpist Bill McJohn. 
