HOUGHTON - "The Livin' Is Easy," a benefit concert for the Omega House, will take place for the third year on July 31.
The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock.
Sandra Lewin, community development coordinator for Omega House, said the concert raised $2,000 for Omega House in the previous two years.
Article Photos
Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette
The Omega House, pictured here, is holding a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. July 31 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock.
"It helps to alleviate some of the financial burden," she said. "It puts in extra money that we wouldn't have had before, and it gives Omega House additional recognition in the community."
Ruth Robertson, a voice instructor at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., came up with the idea for the concert in 2007. She began summering in the area five years ago after starting a relationship with former Michigan Technological University professor and Omega House supporter Bill Sewell.
"It's his favorite charity up here," she said.
In her second summer, Robertson sang with the Pine Mountain Music Festival in a production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute."
The next summer, she and some of the local performers involved thought it would be fun to have a recital. It would also give her a way to help the Omega House, she figured. As a summer resident, Robertson wasn't in the area during their volunteer training sessions.
"I thought, well why don't I just do what I know how to do, which is get recitals going," she said.
The concert will include four selections from Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pirates Of Penzance," as well as other popular and classical songs.
Lynne Lanczy, a pianist from Marquette, will accompany the singers along with Ole Christiansen and Dave Bezotte.
"The singers enjoy doing it," Robertson said. "We're always performers in search of a venue. It gives them a outlet, and it gives the public the chance to see top-notch performances for not much money."
Each year features a performance of the George Gershwin song "Summertime." The "livin' is easy" theme was a natural fit for the Omega House, Robertson said, as it provides palliative care for the terminally ill.
"It's just an idea of keeping them comfortable until they ease on out," Robertson said. "It's the way we'd all like to go."
This year's performance is by the Copper Country Chords barbershop quartet. Past years featured substitute members, necessitating a name change.
"This year, we can call them by their true name," Robertson said.
Suggested donations are $5 per person or $10 per family. For more information, call Sandra Lewin at the Omega House at 482-4438.
Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com.