That's So Pinoy

JR Celski (@celskeet) blogs about the first successful event put together by the MAD Northwest Team at Seattle Children's Hospital July 26, 2010!

Johri, Grynch, Kami, JR, Macklemore, Wizdom

Seattle Children’s Hospital Event

By: JR Celski 7/28/10

What’s goin’ on everyone?!

M.A.D. Northwest had it’s first ever official event at the Seattle Children’s Hospital on July 26, 2010. With the help of Eve Kopp (Director, Corporate Annual Giving) and Lorraine del Prado (Sr. Director, Trust Services and Legacy Planning) we were able to host this gathering of artists, dancers, hospital patients and their families.

It was nothing less than successful.

Hip Hop artists Macklemore, Grynch, Wizdom, Violinist Andrew Joslyn, Drummer Phil Bondy, and the Break Dancing Crew MASSIVE Monkees performed for a few patients and their families in a playground setting. The goal of the concert was to have the artists inspire the children by telling them stories about overcoming hardship and how they got into their careers. University of Washington Football player Johri Fogerson made an appearance to talk about his childhood and the difficult obstacles he faced that ultimately turned him onto football. Ben Haggerty (Macklemore) explained his problems with drug addiction and how he was finally ableto break the “disease” after coming close to death. He then performed his song ‘Otherside’ A cappella which captivated everyone’s attention with his passionate approach. John Overlie (Grynch) shared with the children an embarrassing situation having to do with him and his hero. Dave Mazzeo (Wizdom) turned the crowd onto an interactive performance involving clapping their hands while he rapped a couple lines out of one of his songs. He also explained how his Mother played an integral roll in his life and how he considers her his idol. I had the chance to speak about overcoming obstacles and gave the patients my story about my injury and how music has inspired me throughout my lifetime.

Drummer Phil Bondy then started playing his street drums for the crowd while artists Grynch and Macklemore rapped over the top and violinist Andrew Joslyn played violin. The vibrations of the performance were definitely ringing throughout the hearts and souls of these kids. After ther appers performed, Phil started playing break beats (which break dancers use to dance) and the Massive Monkees (America’s Best Dance Crew, Season 4) came out to perform a very “re-freshing” lively show.

Believe it or not, the people who were affected most by this event were actually the artists. Personally, I would have never thought a rapper or football player would have warmed up that much to kids. After seeing what happened at this event, I realized that it doesn’t matter what background you come from, your words have an impact.

I may be a little naive by saying this, but I firmly believe that everyone who witnessed this intimate performance will remember it for the rest of their lives.

Be on the lookout for future M.A.D. Northwest performances!

Also check out these artists websites at:

http://www.myspace.com/macklemore

http://www.myspace.com/grynchmusic

http://www.myspace.com/wizdom

http://www.myspace.com/andrewjoslyn

http://www.massivemonkees.com/

http://www.ryanlewisproductions.com/

Thanks!

-JR (celskeet)

Source: MAD Northwest

Pictures from the MAD Northwest Event!

Photo credit:  Jordan Nicholson

Click to Enlarge!

-That's  So Pinoy Staff