..> | Contact: John Sandhofer Friends of Skipjack Phone 757 406 3000 ..[if !supportEmptyParas]--> ..[endif]--> | 2109 Blossom Hill Ct Virginia Beach, VA 23457 Phone 757 406 3000 ..[if !supportEmptyParas]--> ..[endif]--> | Friends of Skipjack |
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Press Release
6 January 2008
Sea chantey concert to benefit owners of business and home destroyed during recent Portsmouth church fire.
Three local performers will play traditional and contemporary maritime songs in an effort to raise support for Joe and Alison Elder on January 13th at the Commodore Theatre.
Portsmouth, VA: Among the many affected by the fire on December 20th that destroyed the Zion Baptist Church in Portsmouth were Joe and Alison Elder, owners of Skipjack Nautical Wares on High Street. The Elder's business and 2nd floor apartment home became collateral damage when an explosion during the fire caused part of the adjacent church to collapse onto their historic building. Tragically, the building was subsequently razed after being deemed unsafe to enter, thus condemning the Elder's personal items as well as hundreds of rare antiques and original works of art.
Performers Bob Zentz, the Tanner's Creek Whalers and Blackbeard's Crew have collaborated with the historic Commodore Theatre to present a benefit concert of maritime music in support of the Elders' efforts to rebuild their business, home and lives. The concert beginning at 12 noon on January 13, 2008 will precede the 2 PM matinee showing of the movie, National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Cost for the movie is $7 per person. A suggested $10 donation is requested of those arriving early for the concert and all proceeds from the food sales during the event will be contributed to the Friends of Skipjack Fund. Olde Towne Portsmouth icon, Col. Crawford, portrayed by Eric Price, will be on hand to help emcee the event.
Bob Zentz, a Norfolk native, has been a fixture in Hampton Roads folk music for over four decades. He plays several dozen different instruments with a repertoire of more than 2000 songs and has recorded six of his own albums in addition to appearing on other artist's compilations. For more information please go to: www.bobzentz.com.
The Tanners Creek Whalers have been a folk and sea chantey tradition in Hampton Roads since the 1970's. Taking their name from the historic moniker of the Lafayette River in Norfolk, this four piece group features sea songs and chanties from all over the world. The have produced one album, On the Spray. For more information about the Whalers please visit: www.southernbranch.com.
Blackbeard's Crew of Hampton have been entertaining audiences with songs and tales of maritime history since 2000. These living history performers have traveled the mid-Atlantic promoting the stories of colonial Virginia and the history of pirates during the late 17th and early 18th Centuries. They have produced two independent albums of sea chanties and tavern songs. For more information about the Crew, check out: www.blackbeardscrew.org.
The Commodore Theatre was first opened in 1945. After many years of stout business the theater closed in 1975. It was purchased in 1987 by current owner, Fred Schoenfeld who undertook the task of renovating the theater to its 1940's glory. Today the theater features first run motion pictures, delicious full service meals, dining for 190 on the first floor and balcony seating for 318 with a snack bar. More information about the Commodore can be found at www.commodoretheatre.com.