Hello everyone,

I’m pleased to officially announce that along with my very talented music friends from New York, Toronto, and London (Ontario), we will be holding two concerts to raise money to raise money for three institutions that play a vital role in children’s lives. An Evening with Mark Nelson Preston and Friends to Benefit Childrens Charities will have shows on two consecutive evenings. The first show, taking place in Toronto, will benefit the Sick Kids Foundation and The Children’s Aid Foundation, both located in Toronto, on Thursday, July 16th at 7:30 PM the very cool Gladstone Ballroom, 1214 Queens Street, Toronto. The second show takes place in London, ON the following evening on Friday, July 17th at 8:00 PM and will benefit the London based Children’s Health Foundation, It will be held at the spacious London City Music Theatre (formerly the IMAX theatre), 900 King St., London. I will be releasing more details in the coming weeks.

At press time, we have a lineup of 15 performers for the Toronto show and are expecting a similar number in London. My featured performers for both evenings will be my good friend, the very gifted Noah Zacharin and the awesome Dan McLean Jr. My other friends who will be appearing on one or both evenings include my good friends Evan Palazzo, Greg Bie (who helped make the London show possible and will be featured that evening), Jon Travis, my right hand man for both events – Jeff Kahl, Laura Fernandez, Carl Lorusso Jr., Jory Berger, Tony Rabalao, Rex Baunsit, and Rehan Dalal, There will be more to be announced in the coming weeks.

These events were inspired my a few things. The indie music scene in Toronto has been a great source of inspiration in my life since I went back into music – it’s one of the great treasures of that wonderful city. I’ve met a great wealth of talent and have made some very dear friends in the process. The idea behind the events is bring some of this talent to a larger audience and raise money for organizations that help our youth. The charities that we are helping have played an important part in the lives of some of those performing. This is one way for my friends and I to give something back.

Another important charity to me is one which is making a difference in the lives our returning war veterans. My buddy and childhood friend Ted Knapp, along with his longtime friend, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Dave Mason, have been making a big difference with Work Vessels for Vets. Be sure to visit workvesselsforvets.com. Also, check out the following link from Fox News program Red Eye this week where Dave talks about their work (and you will see Ted, too!). Also, he has a great new album out, 26 Letters – 12 Notes. You can also click to find out more about Dave and Ted on the web.

One final note to my Ridgefield friends. Another good friend, Michelle Petrillo has organized a Multi-Class RMHS Reunion this Friday, June 12th, in Ridgefield, NJ at the Café Tivoli to raise money for a scholarship fund. It’s $ 37.99 per person and promises to be a great party.

Thanks for reading. I know I keep mentioning “my dear friends” a little bit like the late great Sammy Davis, Jr.! What can I tell you, I’m a blessed man! That’s all for now.

Love and Peace,
Mark

Preston’s Beat
The Music of Mark Nelson Preston

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Title: Mark Nelson Preston and Friends Benefit Concert for The Children’s Health Foundation
Location: London City Music Theatre (formerly the IMAX theatre), 900 King St., London, Ontario
Description: Concert to benefit the London based Children’s Health Foundation.
Start Time: 8:00pm

Featured Performers will include:

Noah Zacharin
Noah Zacharin’s recordings have garnered praise from fans and critics alike. silence spoken here (1997) was called “an understated classic… musical versatility and lyrical depth” (Xpress-Ottawa); Scene Roots and Blues dubbed aLIVE! (2000) “a real gem”; and a review of crow dark wind (2001) in Minor 7th elicited the following: “like Bruce Cockburn, Ry Cooder, and Bonnie Raitt, Noah Zacharin possesses a virtuoso command of the guitar… world-wise songwriting.” You can find out more about Noah by visiting his website at: http://www.noahsong.com .

Dan McLean Jr.
Dan McLean Jr., with his powerful voice and beautiful acoustic guitar work has become a very popular and well noted performer on the Toronto indie music scene. Dan’s emotional renditions of classic soul songs are truly something to behold. Dan recently released his first CD, the critically acclaimed “Soul Café”. You can find out more about Dan on his website by visiting: http://www.danmcleanjr.com.

The Crystal Kage
The Crystal Kage is a musical duo from London, Ontario with heart-stomping vocals & catchy foot tapping guitar riffs. Crystal Curran, is the lead vocals & rhythm guitarist with a powerful & passionate voice and enthusiastic, engaging stage presents. Kory Adcock (aka Kage), is the lead guitarist playing both acoustic & electric guitar with remarkable shredding speed & quick finger changes. Musical chemistry, passion & emotion are reflected in both their live performances & on their debut album, “Just Around The Corner”. You can find out more about The Crystal Kage by visiting their website at: http://www.thecrystalkage.com

Mark Nelson Preston
Mark Nelson Preston is a New York City based singer/songwriter who at the age of 46 returned to music after a 30 year absence. Frequently appearing in New York City and Toronto, he is greatly indebted to his musician friends in New York, Toronto and London for their inspiration and support and created these shows as his way of returning the support and love of those who were there for him, and to help charities that benefit charities that have played an important part in the lives of children and in the lives of some of his dear friends. You can find out more about Mark on his website by visiting: http://prestonsbeat.com

Other friends who will be appearing on one or both evenings include my good friends Evan Palazzo, Greg Bie (who helped make the London show possible and will be featured that evening), Jon Travis, my right hand man for both events – Jeff Kahl, Laura Fernandez, Carl Lorusso Jr, Jory Berger, Tony Rabalao, Rex Baunsit, and Rehan Dalal.

Schedule subject to change. Check back here for updates.

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Get the Poster (PDF 9.2MB)

Title: Mark Nelson Preston and Friends Benefit Concert for Children’s Charities
Location: Gladstone Ballroom, 1214 Queens Street Toronto, Ontario
Description: Concert to benefit the Sick Kids Foundation and The Children’s Aid Foundation.
Start Time: 7:30pm
Date: 2009-07-16

Featured Performers will include:

Noah Zacharin
Noah Zacharin’s recordings have garnered praise from fans and critics alike. silence spoken here (1997) was called “an understated classic… musical versatility and lyrical depth” (Xpress-Ottawa); Scene Roots and Blues dubbed aLIVE! (2000) “a real gem”; and a review of crow dark wind (2001) in Minor 7th elicited the following: “like Bruce Cockburn, Ry Cooder, and Bonnie Raitt, Noah Zacharin possesses a virtuoso command of the guitar… world-wise songwriting.” You can find out more about Noah by visiting his website at: http://www.noahsong.com .

Dan McLean Jr.
Dan McLean Jr., with his powerful voice and beautiful acoustic guitar work has become a very popular and well noted performer on the Toronto indie music scene. Dan’s emotional renditions of classic soul songs are truly something to behold. Dan recently released his first CD, the critically acclaimed “Soul Café”. You can find out more about Dan on his website by visiting: http://www.danmcleanjr.com.

Mark Nelson Preston
Mark Nelson Preston is a New York City based singer/songwriter who at the age of 46 returned to music after a 30 year absence. Frequently appearing in New York City and Toronto, he is greatly indebted to his musician friends in New York, Toronto and London for their inspiration and support and created these shows as his way of returning the support and love of those who were there for him, and to help charities that benefit charities that have played an important part in the lives of children and in the lives of some of his dear friends. You can find out more about Mark on his website by visiting: http://prestonsbeat.com

Other friends who will be appearing on one or both evenings include my good friends Evan Palazzo, Greg Bie (who helped make the London show possible and will be featured that evening), Jon Travis, my right hand man for both events – Jeff Kahl, Laura Fernandez, Carl Lorusso Jr, Jory Berger, Tony Rabalao, Rex Baunsit, and Rehan Dalal.

Schedule subject to change. Check back here for updates.

Share this!