Sarasota harp concert to benefit Ukrainian refugees
Temple Sinai in Sarasota will host a special concert featuring Giuseppina Ciarla, principal harpist of the Sarasota Opera, to benefit Ukrainian refugees at 5 p.m. June 26.
In “Hope from the Harp,” Ciarla will perform an eclectic range of songs from her recently released album “A Ticket Home,” in which she sings and plays the harp. The album includes such standards as “Que Sera Sera,” “Nature Boy” and Michael Jackson’s hit “Billie Jean.” The program will feature iconic Italian and American songs, as well as original compositions.
Money raised from the concert will support medical aid and relief efforts for Ukrainians by Emergency USA, a non-profit that provides free medical care to victims of war and poverty.
Arts Newsletter: Sign up to receive the latest news on the Sarasota area arts scene every Monday
Sarasota Opera: 2022-2023 season will include a U.S. premiere
“As a musician, I strongly believe that my mission is to inspire and help people come together in the name of brotherhood,” she said in a statement. “Growing up in Italy, I witnessed the admirable work that Emergency USA has done throughout the years to help all populations hit by the brutalities of war. Being able to donate my music for such a noble cause and help the people of Ukraine is a true honor.”
Elie Rubinstein, executive director of Emergency USA, will attend to speak about the organization and the impact it is having on Ukrainians. The organization has launched Politruck, its largest mobile outpatient clinic, in Moldova, on the Southwest border of Ukraine. Politruck provides medical staff to offer free healthcare. Officials estimate there are more than 450,000 Ukrainian refugees in Moldova.
Michael Gordon, who serves as event chair, said in a statement, “Making the world a better place is a collective core value for all humans. We sincerely hope those affected by the war in Ukraine will be helped by this event here in Sarasota.”
Admission is by donation (suggested $36 for adults, $18 for students) and all donations are tax deductible. The concert will be held at Temple Sinai, 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Rd. For more information: hopefromtheharp.org.
Follow Jay Handelman on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact him at jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com. And please support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Temple Sinai hosts harp concert to benefit Ukrainian refugees
