Spokane For Japan

The recent earthquake and tsunami disaster that devastated northern Japan has compelled area musicians and artists to donate their time and talent to assist with increasing awareness and funds for relief efforts. Spokane's premier event facility, The Lincoln Center, along with Nyne Bar & Bistro, Z ART, Platform Booking, The Som Show, Wilder Audio, and The Pacific Northwest Inlander have all stepped forward to assist in the effort.

"Spokane for Japan" is an ongoing effort. The first event, an art exhibition and concert, takes place Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. at Spokane's Nyne Bar and Bistro, 232 W. Sprague Ave. From noon to midnight there will be a fundraising drive, and artwork donated by various artists will be on display previewing the upcoming auction event. The Nyne event features live art being created on the spot by Darcy Lee Drury, Jason Corcoran and Tiffany Patterson plus an eclectic lineup of live music by Flying Spiders, Silver Treason, Sehandoah Davis, Horse Thieves, Jesi B and the All Rites, Be Radicals, C-Flow, Bad Penmanship, DJ Stone Toby and Audio Affiliated. A minimum $10 donation will be accepted as entry to Nyne, with proceeds going to relief efforts.

The second event will be a silent and live art auction and concert with performances by classical pianist Ayuko Momono, funk-ska favorite Civilized Animal, jazz-funk band The Groove Patrol, reggae outfit Real Life Rockaz, organic hip-hop project Flying Spiders, soul-rock group Jesi B and the All Rites and DJ Eric Thorne on Saturday, May 28 at 7:00 p.m. at The Lincoln Center, 1316 N Lincoln St. Tickets for the Lincoln Center event are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, available through Ticketswest, www.ticketswest.rdln.com, with proceeds going to relief efforts. No-host bar service will be available.

Donated artwork includes nationally and locally known artists such as Terry Geiber, Christian Riese Lassen and Jeannine Fruci. Artists are invited and encouraged to donate a piece of their work to support this crucial cause.

"This is an opportunity for the Spokane community to turn out in support of Japan and to let the people know that we are keeping them at the forefront of our hearts and minds," said Spokane for Japan co-organizer Nathan McKenzie-O'Neill of Z Art.

Proceeds for both events will benefit UNICEF and Partners International. A representative from Partners International will be on site at both events to take donations, thank donors and distribute information about relief efforts.

Artists, musicians, and others interested in contributing and joining the effort can contact Nathan McKenzie-O'Neill of Z ART (509) 344-9084 or email ZARTLLC@gmail.com; or Patrick Kendrick at platformbooking@gmail.com.