An American in Lima

The Three Jacks (& Three Jills)

Tonight at 8 p.m., my astral self will be hovering over downtown Miami as my good friends and former band mates, The Three Jacks, play a benefit concert to raise funds for victims of the 2007 Peru earthquake. The concert is being held at 8 p.m. at the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and I’m thrilled to report that tickets have sold out, every last one of them.

Joining The Three Jacks will be champion step-dancers from the Breffni Academy of Irish Dance, in Florida. It promises to be a rousing evening of Celtic rock and Irish step dance, Miami-style. (Read Greg Baker’s article in the July 31 Miami New Times.)

It has all felt slightly surreal, or, rather, Madame Blavatsky-ish, seeing myself on the Web site and posters, as if I am someone from the spirit world conjured back to the earth plane. (As far as the United States is concerned, Peru might as well be the Land of the Shades.)

Unfortunately, a sudden medical emergency has arisen in the family of lead singer Henk Milne, and so the Peru concerts have been postponed to a future (not yet specified) date. I am very concerned for Henk’s family, whom I have known for 17 years. And I am saddened to not be playing Celtic music in my newly adopted country. It would have been fun to share the stage again with these remarkable musicians and tear into “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Follow Me up to Carlowe” one more time. Sigh. Not this month.

It’s not all bad news, however. In some remarkable way, fundraising for the “Angels with a Mission” effort continues to accelerate. The band is raising money for the Peruvian American Medical Society (PAMS) to build medical centers in Chincha and Pisco, and as of this afternoon, has amassed more than 31 percent of its $250,000 goal (not counting ticket sale proceeds). Yes, you read correctly. Six figures. The Little Irish Band that Could.

You, dear reader, can help by visiting www.thethreejacks.com , following the navigation link to “Peru Tour” and clicking on the donation button. It is all legal and legit, and you donation will truly help the people of southern Peru get back on their feet. I would not be involved in this effort if I didn’t trust PAMS, which has been doing good work in Peru for 35 years.

Stay tuned to An American in Lima for news about The Three Jacks’ revised tour schedule for Peru 2008.

Sending hugs especially to Pippa — Barb

Related posts:

1. Irish Music & Dance Concert for Peru Earthquake Relief, May 15 & 16 Come out for a rousing night of Celtic rock, Irish step...
2. Three Jacks Play Miami Tonight My bandmates The Three Jacks will be rocking downtown...
3. The Three Jacks & Breffni Dancers Conquer Peru Just a bit of exaggeration in that headline. But I’m...
4. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Peru! Peru celebrates many days devoted to saints from the Catholic pantheon,...

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