Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines earlier this month, killing over five thousand people and leaving almost two million people homeless. Across the Pacific, in tiny Hermosa Beach, South Bay locals are finding their own ways to reach out to the shattered nation and offer some much-needed support.
The Lighthouse Cafe, Hermosa’s jazz mecca, will be the beacon of the South Bay relief effort on Saturday. The venue is holding an all-day benefit for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, donating every cent of the day’s door profits to the American Red Cross.
“Really what we’re doing is getting bands together to give back,” said Steve Grehl, General Manager of the Lighthouse. “We did it before with the Haiti catastrophe and this will be essentially the same thing.”
The Lighthouse hosts a jazz brunch on Saturday morning from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. During that time, donations will be gladly accepted. Once 3 p.m. rolls around, a mandatory $5 cover charge goes into effect for the fundraiser.
The Lighthouse stage will be filled all afternoon and evening with musicians, many of whom are donating their time. Acts include the Radio Rebels, Chuck Alvarez, Wise 100 Doors, Larry Nash, Mel Harker and Joe Cipolla.
Fiji-born music man Wise Katubadrau (Wise 100 Doors) plays soulful reggae deeply rooted in faith and gratitude.
“My music is about hope and love,” said Wise. “It’s a positive message. So it’s great to be part of this benefit and do something to help.”
Though his mother was a gospel singer and encouraged her son musically, Wise didn’t start playing music until he was in his thirties when he began singing at an open mic in Vermont. Now he is a full-time musician.
“That’s when I found my calling and I’ve never looked back since,” Wise said. “I’m a full-time musician, singer, songwriter, live performer and I absolutely love what I do.”
Adding another flavor to the benefit is Lighthouse regular Joie Shettler who will perform on Saturday with her band the Radio Rebels. Shettler is a former Laker girl, original member of the Pussycat Dolls, and dancer who toured with the likes of Michael Jackson and Prince.
“We have been playing the Lighthouse for a couple of years now,” Shettler said. “Steve mentioned the benefit and I was, of course, on board.”
The Radio Rebels play a host of eighties tunes, from the rock of Rush and the Pretenders to the dance songs of Depeche Mode and the Go Go’s.
“We play fun rock music from the eighties,” said Shettler. “We pick tunes that people know so that we get them out on the dance floor.”
Local man “Singing Joe” Cipolla is also on the bill. Cipolla started performing at local bars after retiring and was a regular Sunday night act at the Mermaid for four years before it closed.
“I sing music that people are familiar with, and that they can sing along to,” Cipolla has said. “They know the words; there’s no confusion about it. I sing oldies but goodies and Beatles. Because of my wife’s prodding, I’ve mixed in a few newer songs, but to me a new song would be from the ‘90s.”
The variety of acts on the Lighthouse stage on Saturday should make for an audience as diverse as the artists. And with at least eight hours of door proceeds going to the American Red Cross, the benefit is set to raise significant funds for the disaster.
“We’re really excited about it,” Grehl said. “It’s great to give back.”
The Typhoon Haiyan Benefit Concert runs all day on Saturday, November 30 at the Lighthouse Cafe, 30 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach. $5 cover, all of which will be donated to the American Red Cross.
