nothin Musicians Rock To Restore A Smile | New Haven Independent

Musicians Rock To Restore A Smile

DAVID SEPULVEDA PHOTOS

Ez Bluez, The Hooch and Jose Oyola got things rolling.

The sun was still shining brightly and the music a little softer when a series of musical artists began working their magic at Crown Street’s Stella Blues bar, volunteering their time and talent to help restore the smile of 29-year-old Heather Moffitt, whose face was partially paralyzed after the removal of a large brain tumor last year.

Audra Ciarleglio, vocals, with Chaser Eight.

Audra Ciarleglio, a close friend and college buddy of Moffitt, is the lead singer for New Haven-based rock band Chaser Eight. The band organized Chaser Eight’s Fundraiser For a Smile” to help raise the $100,000 needed for a special operation to bring back Moffitt’s facial function. Ciarleglio gave much of the organizational credit to friend, Katie Matican.

Heather Moffitt.

The band’s initiative at Stella Blues this past Saturday afternoon dovetails with a GoFundMe online campaign, where the 100k goal has passed the halfway mark and where Heather explained the importance of a smile and what it means to lose it: I’ve always been a smiler. I smiled in every picture, when I laughed, when I cried, when I was nervous, and when I met new people. But I honestly never knew how much, how many words, a smile was worth until I didn’t have one.”

After detailing the deafness, numbness, and other consequences of the post-tumor surgery she now experiences, Moffitt expressed the pain that goes beyond physical symptoms: I can’t smile, exude the emotion of joy, laugh to my full potential, or share the universal symbol for kindness and compassion,” she wrote.

Along with a raffle of donated prizes, free food donated by Wolfski’s, Knucklehead’s and Ciarleglio’s aunt Marilyn — were the heartfelt contributions of of numerous musicians working toward a common cause. Donating music for charitable causes is a big component of band culture, a community built on strong mutual support. It’s touching to see people step up — to see people answer the call, including Stella Blues” said Ciarleglio.

Singer-songwriter Ez Bluez kicked off the program, followed by the beat-charged set of Jemar Phoenix and Mike DePascale of The Hooch. José Oyola, sans the Astronauts, entertained with both English and Spanish tunes from his Give, Give, Give, Take, Take, Take and Hologram CDs.

The Nomads of East Hartford brought their heavy calm” with melodically engaging tunes like Paris.” Nomads musician-vocalist Austin James had a clear understanding of the day’s mission and the role of musicians generally: It’s important to remember why we play music — to improve people’s lives. There’s nothing more important than a smile. To give that back, is a beautiful thing,” he said.

Run Jenny, the all-woman, award-winning rock band that performs original tunes, but also has a long history as Sister Funk, a cover band with a deep national profile, brought its high energy, attention-grabbing capabilities to the Stella stage — this despite having suffered an economic and gut-wrenching setback only two days earlier when thousands of dollars in instruments and sound equipment were stolen from a vehicle in West Haven.

We have so much love for our local music community, our friends and family right now for helping us on social media to find our gear! When your equipment is stolen, it’s like losing a piece of you,” the band posted on Facebook

Run Jenny also put the theft in perspective: Having met Heather last night via Face-Time and knowing what she is going through made our loss of equipment seem so [trivial]! We weren’t going to let that stop us from doing our part! ” The Sister Funk side of Run Jenny is expected to open for the band Foreigner at the Durham Fair on Sept. 24 on the main stage.

During a special break in the musical offerings, Heather Moffitt appeared through Skype from Mexico City on a large screen that had been assembled for the occasion, greeting and thanking her supporters and friends gathered at Stella Blues.

I love you and everyone there, I don’t know you but I love you too and I am so, so grateful” she said to a round of cheers and applause.

Moffitt is expected back in the Elm City in October for a wedding — her own.

With the big screen disassembled, Chaser Eight’s high-voltage rock attack brought the audience to its feet, a rousing set that was followed by other musical acts: Black River Union, Puma Simone, and Mr. Council all performing their hearts out to bring back Moffitt’s smile.

Over one thousand dollars was raised at the fundraiser. Contributions to Moffitt’s medical fund can be made here.

Tags:

Sign up for our morning newsletter

Don't want to miss a single Independent article? Sign up for our daily email newsletter! Click here for more info.


Post a Comment

Commenting has closed for this entry

Comments

There were no comments