Triple Platinum Tenor John McDermott and NYC Apollo Theater 2014 Amateur Winner Laura Bretan Holiday Performance included Stories and Songs that brought Tears, Laughter and Three Standing Ovations!
Concert Raises Awareness of Homelessness, Poverty, and Veterans
December 11, 2014— A Safe Haven Foundation was honored to serve as one of the beneficiaries of the 2nd Annual Irish Tenor John McDermott Holiday Concert to benefit Veterans and people in need. The concert hosted over 200 of some of Chicago’s top civic and business leaders and featured guest performance by child prodigy and 2014 NYC Apollo Theater winner, Laura Bretan, 12 year old. The present legendary artist, John McDermott and new local emerging legendary artist, Laura Bretan performed a duet song ‘You raise me up” by Josh Groban for the evenings third and final standing ovation. The concert was held at Chicago’s historic Holy Family Church on Roosevelt Road in Chicago. The event was sponsored exclusively by BMO Harris Bank.
Brian Rowland, Co-Founder of A Safe Haven and Joe Ahern, President of the 100 Club both kicked off the evening and welcomed the audience to the 2nd Annual John McDermott Concert.
“It was what I believe will be one of the most beautiful & memorable musical events in Chicago History! We are so grateful for their generous donations. John McDermott donated all of the proceeds to charity to support our work at A Safe Haven Foundation to help the homeless and the work done by the 100 club in the community. Laura Bretan surprised us and did a check presentation which represented her entire winnings from her 2014 NYC Apollo theater competition. There is absolutely no doubt that their individual and combined legendary voices and their personal passion for the cause will amplify the work that we do at A Safe Haven. The backdrop of Chicagos Most Historic Holy Family Church was the perfect place to share their message, their music and to debut their duet performance” says Vazquez Rowland, “We are so grateful.”
The event brought together 100’s of influential Chicago civic leaders like Attorney Neil Hartigan, Justice Anne Burke, Alderman Ed Burke, A Safe Haven Board Members Bryan Cave Entertainment Attorney Linda Mensch, and Attorney Michael Favia, and A Safe Haven advisory board members and music producer, Lynn Orman, business entrepreneur Brad Shulman, and renown Chicago journalist Ed McElroy, and many, many more.
“I look forward to returning next year and every year for this worthy cause. I’ve already booked Laura Bretan” said John McDermott.
“I met a homeless child in Romania when I was visiting my family and we fed him and the joy on his face, inspired me to want to help the poor. That is why I’m donating my winnings to help the homeless at A Safe Haven Foundation” said Laura Bretan.