DHAKA: Burlington musician Bob Wagner chose to restage “The Concert for Bangladesh” in southern Burlington in USA with his fellow Burlington-area musicians, led by Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band, the group for which Wagner plays guitar.
The fundraiser is scheduled to begin 9 pm of Saturday (US time) at Higher Ground in New Jersey is a benefit for Maher and the nonprofit organization’s work in India, which shares a border with Bangladesh, reports the burlingtonfreepress.com
Former Beatle George Harrison decided to do a fundraiser “The Concert for Bangladesh” in 1971 to help a war-ravaged nation in South Asia.
“The Concert for Bangladesh” featured performances by Harrison, Ravi Shankar, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Leon Russell and other music legends at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Saturday’s South Burlington concert will feature appearances by Dwight & Nicole, The DuPont Brothers, Seth Yacovone, Lowell Thompson and more.
Wagner figures he has organized and performed at more musical tributes than anyone in the Burlington area, ranging from Dylan and The Band to the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, Jimi Hendrix’s “Band of Gypsies” and the Rolling Stones “Exile on Main St.” album.
Those shows have been fun parties, Wagner said, but this time he wanted to do a tribute that also helps a worthy cause.
“The Concert for Bangladesh” tribute is scheduled for Saturday. All proceeds after expenses and from the sale of Maher-made crafts at the show will support the Indian organization, Wagner said.
Maher (pronounced “Mah-hair”) was founded by Sister Lucy Kurien, a Catholic nun in India. Kurien was driven to help after a woman fleeing her abusive husband came to Kurien’s convent seeking shelter.
Maher built its first safe home for women in 1997 and now has 37 structures, mostly children’s homes. The mission of Maher, according to the organization’s website, “is to help destitute women, children and men from all over India exercise their right to a higher quality of life, irrespective of gender, caste, creed or religion.”
BDST: 1256 HRS, DEC 18, 2015
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