On Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, Street Sense partnered with The Potter’s House for a Sounds of Hope benefit concert. The concert brought together gifted artists like Street Sense’s own Greg Phillips, folk musicians Antonio Andre and Terrence J., and first-time performer Sarah Gilberg.
Greg was the first performer and played his original “Rockin’ for Street Sense” along with the other musicians. Greg has been playing music all his life, starting with banging on pots and pans and moving on to the piano and drums. Greg started taking music lessons in the sixth grade, and while attending Duke Ellington Senior High School, Greg picked up strings and bass guitar. Greg is now working on more songs for Street Sense and has finished another song he is preparing to record.
Next up was Antonio Andrade, who was performing for his first time in Washington, D.C. Antonio has been playing music since 1968 and professionally since 1976. Antonio said he feels there is so much good in the world and loves to connect with people through his music.
Sarah Gilberg was the third artist, giving her first full performance. Sarah started playing piano at the age of four, and picked up a guitar when she was eight. “I really enjoyed playing with Street Sense. It was a great group of people, there was a really positive energy tonight,” Sarah said after the show.
The final performer was Terrence J., who is also the host of the Potter’s House Recovery Cafe. He grew up in Northeast D.C. and started playing music in church in the sixth grade. Terrence plays about two or three times a month at coffee houses, cafes, and open mic nights. He decided to get involved with Street Sense after seeing vendors and getting to know some of them. ‘’The opportunity presented itself, and I felt it was a worth-while cause,” Terrence said.
The Sounds of Hope is a concert series where local charities partner with local artists to raise awareness about the work that they doing and raise money for the organization charity. The concerts are held at the Potter’s House and 80% of proceeds from the door are given to the hosting charity organization. The Potter’s House is a restaurant, a bookstore, a gift shop, a concert venue, a theatre, an art gallery, and gathering place for innocent conversation, work meetings, worship or subversive activism.
Christian Peele, the host of Sounds of Hope, looks forward to more benefit concerts and said, “I hope that you will join us at Sounds of Hope, and enjoy the sounds as well as continue to become aware of the work local nonprofits and charities are doing and the way that they are bring about change.”
Reginald is a vendor for Street Sense and designs the Writers’ Group page every issue. He was also one of the three vendor-waiters that served guests during the benefit concert.
