WHITE PLAINS– Grace Church of White Plains will host “In the Company of Friends – A Concert for Ukraine” on April 23, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
The concert will feature a variety of music genres performed by distinguished international artists. Proceeds will benefit charities that help displaced Ukraine families. Tickets are on sale HERE.
The event was conceived by Westchester resident Dr. Irena Portenko, who will also be performing. Portenko feels that a concert of this caliber is one way to thank Westchester supporters for their generosity over the last year.
From various concerts and fundraising efforts, more than $150,000 has been raised that has been used to buy a shelter for displaced women and children in Western Ukraine. Additionally these funds were used to help the non-profit United Help Ukraine group purchase and distribute medical supplies and ambulances. Finally, funds were used to provide supplies, food, professional equipment, and medical needs for many displaced Ukrainian musicians.
The need in Ukraine is ever-present and growing. According to the United Nations, as of March 2023, over 6.5 million Ukrainians have been internally displaced and are struggling to survive in the face of extremely dangerous conditions.
To raise additional funds to help those Ukranians, Portenko, along with a group of exceptional performers, will be performing songs by George Gershwin, George Frideric Handel, Frédéric Chopin, Victoria Poleva, Antonín Leopold Dvořák, Gioachino Antonio Rossini, Loreena McKennitt, Boris Lyatoshinsky, Astor Piazzolla, and Leonard Cohen.
Performers include Ukrainian artists Irena Portenko on piano and Metropolitan Opera bass Stefan Szkafarowsky, along with countertenor Jeffrey Palmer, pianist Svetlana Gorokhovich, accordion player Joey Mannino, and Metropolitan Opera soprano Korliss Uecker; plus Cuatro Puntos Ensemble, featuring Annie Trépanier, violin; Aaron Packard, violin; Kevin Bishop, viola; and Dr. Allan Ballinger, cello.
“A Show of Caring – A Concert to Benefit Ukraine” is an all-volunteer-organized event, and all proceeds after event fees will go to these charities: United Help Ukraine, Save a Child Shelter, and The Fund to Help Displaced Ukrainian Musicians.
Ticket prices are $45 and are general seating. To purchase tickets, click HERE.
