As the end of the year approaches and the remaining days for Howard Brown Health Center's Lifeline Appeal dwindle into a matter of weeks, support for the financially ailing center's quest to raise $500,000 by Jan. 1 continues to come from all corners of the city. On Dec. 4, Mary's Attic played host to a showcase of local musicians, singers and songwriters who all gave their time to raise funds for the center.
Put on by local music promoter and musician Kat Fitzgerald, Life-apalooza featured a lineup of talented Chicagoland musicians who entertained a steady stream of onlookers throughout the snowy afternoon with six hours of performances that spanned a wide range of musical styles.
"I love local music and I love Howard Brown, so this was a great way to bring the two together and do what I could to support the center," Fitzgerald said. "It's really a win-win situation all around."
Fitzgerald, who both hosted and played in the show, said she was pleased with the turnout, given both the wintry weather and the fact that the event had only been planned two weeks before.
Fitzgerald, creator of the Windy City Open Mic series as well as the Four Women and Chocolate Sunday showcases, had put out the call for performers over the Windy City Open Mic mailing list. Within minutes, she said, she was already receiving responses. She eventually filled all the day's available performance slots, having to turn away a few performers.
In addition to giving their time to perform in the show, many of the musicians also contributed CDs and private in-home concerts to the event's raffle. By the event's conclusion, the musicians had raised more than $1,100.
During their sets, several of the performersincluding trans-identified singer and guitarist Elias Krell, whose soulful, razor-sharp songs lit up the crowdtalked about why they chose to perform in the event.
"Howard Brown is really important to us in the transgender community and I'm glad you're all here. Let's save Howard Brown," Krell said between songs.
Other performers in the show included Jessica Fogle, whose piano-centric songs recalled Norah Jones or Fiona Apple; the folk duo of Emily Claire Palmer and Charles Murphy; jazz singer Jeannie Tanner; and singer-songwriter Stephen Leonard.
Fitzgerald hoped others in the community would follow the example of the Life-apalooza performers by getting creative when thinking of ways to help contribute to the cause, such as a masseuse raffling off his or her services.
"This is what [the performers] could do. They don't have endless bank accounts, but this is not just about the money," said Fitzgerald. "Howard Brown is not going to go under because our community is too strong to let that happen. I have faith in our community."
As of Dec. 2, Howard Brown's Facebook page indicated the center had met 73 percent of its fundraising goal, meaning the center still had roughly $135,000 to go at that point.