(West Seattle Big Band – WSB photo from July 2014 Hi-Yu Concert in the Park)
Next weekend is closer than you think. So we want to make sure this is on your radar. From Jim Edwards with the West Seattle Big Band:

The West Seattle Big Band has been supporting music programs in the West Seattle public schools for 18 years now. We are not a non-profit organization. We are a working band. We do not seek grants or donations with which to operate. We go out and perform at weddings, dances and concerts throughout the Seattle area.

Our (the band members) income is where our donations to these school band programs come from. Our income is what makes it possible for us to do our collaboration concerts with West Seattle, Madison, and Sealth/Denny programs. In addition to these concerts, in the past two years, our band has donated a combined $5000 to these three programs. A large majority of the money we donate to our West Seattle school music programs comes from outside our West Seattle Community, simply because we perform throughout the region.

But this week we are asking for your support. Last year we had a first-time event that was unrelated to our work with school music programs. Our piano player Brooke Yool was diagnosed with MS. She asked us to help her support the MS Society, and we put together our first MS Dance. The event was a tremendous success.

So we thought we would try it again. We have expanded it to include a small live auction, and several silent auction items. But for it to be a success once again, we have to rely on you, our West Seattle Community. We are asking you to help us in the fight against MS. The band will cover all expenses related to the production of the event. So 100% of the proceeds of this event will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Please join us Saturday, October 4th, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM, at the West Seattle Senior Center. The suggested donation is $15. Hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks included. You can RSVP at event@dancems.org

The West Seattle Senior Center is located at 4217 SW Oregon St.