‘Dance MS’: Join West Seattle Big Band tomorrow night for music, dancing, food, and the fight against multiple sclerosis

The West Seattle Big Band is a mainstay at events around the area – from the annual Hi-Yu Concert in the Park to collaborative events with local schools, and more – usually as a guest, but this time they’re organizing an event and personally inviting you to come help support an urgent cause. From WSBB’s Jim Edwards:

From time to time the West Seattle Big Band strays from its mission statement of supporting public-school music programs in West Seattle, and devotes a concert to some other need. A year ago our piano player Brooke was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She asked the band if we would be interested in doing a concert in support of the MS Society. We wholeheartedly agreed.

Thus was born this new event, Dance MS.

On the evening of Saturday, November 2nd, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the West Seattle Senior Center, we will be performing a concert of great swing-band music with our 18 piece band. All proceeds will go to the MS Society. The band will provide food and refreshments. The suggested donation is $15.00.

Since announcing this event, we have been surprised at how many people we have talked to who know at least one person stricken with this disease. MS is an autoimmune disease that damages nerves and can impair vision and mobility. It can also affect thinking and memory. The occurrence of MS in the Pacific Northwest is about triple the level in the Southern United States and many more times higher than elsewhere in the world.

Now you may know MS as that disease that Annette Funicello had, or maybe you read about Ann Romney or Montel Williams living with it. Perhaps you’ve just seen advertising for the annual MS Walk. But when it strikes someone you know, it takes on a bigger meaning. When you read about the disease and it’s effects on the human body, it takes on a new urgency.

Our Brooke has a background in medical sciences and is better suited then most to know what will work to help slow this disease. So we anticipate her being around the band for a long time to come. But she has helped us to appreciate the need to support the MS Society, and to help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

So come Dance, or just come watch and listen. We will be playing all your favorite big band hits, including vocals from both our vocalists Jeff Carter and Sarah Ackers. We hope you will come join us Saturday.

RSVP to WSBBdanceMS@gmail.com

2 Replies to "'Dance MS': Join West Seattle Big Band tomorrow night for music, dancing, food, and the fight against multiple sclerosis"

  • DRW November 3, 2013 (10:54 am)

    A big thank you to everyone that attended last evening! Great turnout and Ive heard $1,500.00 was collected to battle MS! Thank you West Seattle!

    • WSB November 3, 2013 (12:02 pm)

      Glad to hear that!

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