Notes and Words 2015
When my daughter emerged from surgery at Children’s Hospital Oakland last September, sans a benign tumor from her arm, she had a one-liner for the ages: “Well, at least I know what I’m writing my college application essay about.”
My own revelation took a slightly different angle: “Well, at least I know I’m going to do more for Notes and Words this year.”
Notes and Words is an annual fundraiser in Oakland to support what is now officially called UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. The brainchild of East Bay author Kelly Corrigan (The Middle Place, Glitter and Glue) Notes and Words brings together authors and musicians from all over to perform in an iconic Oakland treasure, the Paramount Theater, for a feel-good night of raising funds for sick kids. This year it will be held on Saturday, April 25 at 8 pm (doors at 7.)
In years past I’ve participated in their now-defunct essay contest (hey, I even landed a piece in their 2014 anthology!) and sat in the audience, but this year I’m going a bit further and urging my Bay Area readers to consider attending in person.
There are so many fundraisers out there that demand serious time and money in terms of effort, but this one simply asks that you sit back and be entertained: participating writers for the 2015 event include David Brooks, Anna Quindlen, and Lemony Snicket, and musicians Kelly McFarling, Tom Rhodes, Mike Errico, and Paul Leo. Ticket prices range start at $50.
It all goes to support a hospital right here in Oakland is one of only five American College of Surgeons Pediatric Level 1 trauma centers; cares for over 75,000 children each year; and provides translation services in more than 55 languages. I can tell you firsthand that the doctors, nurses, and child life specialists who treated our daughter last fall were kind, skilled, and compassionate in ways that were priceless.
And if I have to show my support by spending a night being entertained by talented musicians and writers, well, that is my lot in life.
Ticket information can be found here. I hope you’ll consider joining me there!
Tom Rhodes comes highly recommended by my friends Tiffany and Jonathan of the Rosecrest Supper Club…
CommentsYeah. Good points all around. by Nancy Davis KhoHey – tell our friends at Children's that they should put the ... by EstherRelated StoriesPrecipitation BreakdownTurn Down the Music and Read: The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll in Ten SongsIn Praise of Procrastination
