SEDONA, AZ – Join Shondra Jepperson and the Sedona International Film
Festival at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on July 13th at 7 pm for a special,
last-minute benefit concert. When guests attend this evening of great music
and personal conversation, they’ll also be providing vital support to our
firefighters during the ongoing Pocket Fire with their admission. Known for
its signature interactive format, the “In the Living Room” Music Series invites
the audience to ask questions and connect with the performer, making it a
uniquely engaging experience for every music lover.
This month, Shondra welcomes the incredibly talented guitarist Steve Estes.
With a sound that bridges the gap between classic roots and rock, Steve’s
performance is set to be a highlight of the season. “I’ve been a fan of
Steve’s work for a long time, and I am so honored he made the last-minute
decision to choose this series to share his artistry and his heart for this
cause,” says Shondra.
“It is deeply moving to see an artist use their platform for such an impactful
cause,” adds Patrick. “Steve is donating his concert proceeds to the Eric
Marsh Foundation for Wildland Firefighters. Born from the tragedy of the
fallen Yarnell Hill Granite Mountain 19, the foundation provides urgent relief
to fire crews and their families.”
Estes explained, “With the Pocket Fire raging nearby and 900 local
firefighters on the front lines, this performance leverages the joy of music to
an even higher plane.” For Estes, the goal is simple: “A packed house
dedicated to a big cause is all the pay I’ll ever need.”
Patrick Schweiss, Executive Director of the Sedona International Film
Festival, notes, “We are thrilled to spotlight such vibrant local talent in our
theater, as these intimate performances bring a special energy to the
Sedona arts scene that resonates deeply with our community.”
The “In the Living Room Music Series” is made possible through the
generous support of presenting sponsor Cleaner Quicker Car Wash,
alongside concert sponsors Sefton Engineering, Laser Girl Skin Care,
Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village, and Sedona.Biz. This collaborative
support ensures that 100% of the $20 ticket sales go directly to the
performing artists and the Sedona International Film Festival. Event Details:
Monday, July 13th, 7 PM, at the Mary Fisher Theatre located in West
Sedona.Tickets are available at SedonaFilmFestival.com and at the door.
2 Comments
Thanks for doing this Steve and Shondra, you and the firefighters are so appreciated. 🙂
Hope your event went well and hopefully the firefighters and others directly involved in actually combatting the fire or ensuring safe evacuations from it were the ones shown appreciation. Sedona Fire was not in any large part involved in direct firefighting and maintained their presence in Sedona keeping it and its inhabitants safe. That is worthy of appreciation as well but at a time separate from showing those on the fire line some well deserved appreciation with (hopefully) free food, drinks or even lodging.
One of the big Sedona resorts did host an event to feed some of them but they also initially denied uniformed emergency services access to their property so they could see if it required immediate evacuation. This was not mentioned in the RRN article.
Wild land fire fighters or hotshots and smoke jumpers do death defying work in pretty toxic environments. They deserve more than a free drink or meal, they deserve full spa and resort treatment especially from the spas and resorts they spared no expense in protecting. Unfortunately much of the rest of the apparatus is under Federal control through the Department of Interior and contracts out of state civilian owned fire suppression aircraft and heavy equipment at huge expense to Arizona’s state and local governments and ultimately the taxpayers.
Somebody suggested the State purchase its own aircraft like CAL Fire has and then strategically located them near the areas of the state under the highest risk of going up in flames. That’s actually a very good idea, if the state and counties are willing to fund it. Which they absolutely should if they want faster response times and far less expensive methods than are currently under use not only in Arizona but every state in America.