Free Concert Announced to Preserve African Wildlife at the Centerbrook Meeting House

On Sunday, August 20th at 7pm, join Playhouse favorite Michael McDermott and his talented group of musicians at a free concert to raise awareness and funds for The Soft Foot Alliance. The evening will be filled with songs of hope and promise - from "Fields of Gold" to "Here Comes the Sun"; from Celtic culture and heritage through American folk traditions to new works. And Michael will be joined by Kathleen Mulready, another Ivoryton Playhouse alum who starred in Finian's Rainbow and shared the stage with Michael in The Irish... and How They Got That Way; also Nancy Herzig on flute, David Jarkey on piano, Susan Mazer on guitar, Celeste Cumming on cello and the wonderful Lorelei Chang will dance.

Michael has been seen many times at the Playhouse - most recently in The Bells of Dublin: The Carol of the Bells. He was moved by the story of Cecil the Lion and began a correspondence with Brent Stapelkamp, who lives and works with the animals and people in and around Hwange National Park. Brent formed The Soft Foot Alliance - a new Trust dedicated to improving the lives and landscapes of people living on the boundary of Hwange national park and is working to achieve a sustainable co-existence with wildlife. Lion, hyena, elephant, baboon and honey badger are the main focal species as they impact people's livelihoods on the park's boundaries.

"By designing actions that firstly improve the lives and the livelihoods of the people living with these animals and, secondly promote the conservation of the animal, we hope to achieve co-existence between the two." says Stapelkamp.

The concert will take place at Centerbrook Meeting House, 51 Main St, Centerbrook, CT 06409 at 7pm on Sunday, August 20th. There will also be a silent auction with some wonderful prizes, including a portrait of Cecil painted by artist, David Roelofs. The concert is free but seating is limited. Please call 860-707-0732 to reserve your tickets today and join us in supporting a sustainable future for the people and animals of Zimbabawe

Check out The Soft Foot Alliance - www.softfootalliance.com