Local Artists Shine Spotlight on St. Jude
PEORIA — The spirit of giving flourished on a warm spring evening as local community members dug deep to raise money for a great cause. Though the ultimate goal was to raise funds for St. Jude, Legacy of Love also served as a spotlight to showcase the rich diversity of a blossoming central Illinois arts scene.
On April 16, the ICC Alumni Association sponsored event was held at Northwoods Community Church and featured over 70 ICC student volunteers, more than 100 performers and members from seven local art institutions.
The third annual Legacy of Love was ushered in by a special pre-recorded video message by ICC president John Erwin. The Legacy of Love annual event shows a true spirit of community, Erwin said.
The music kicked off with a performance by Pulse of Peoria Drumline. The thunderous bass drums shook the rafters of Northwoods and the accompanying percussive sounds soon had audience members captivated. Much like John Erwin’s flawlessly trimmed moustache, these rhythms were displayed with a perfect and harmonious balance.
“They were awesome,” said audience member Amber Godinez, 24, Peoria.
The next performance of the evening was Be Not Weary by the Peoria Ballet. The skill, athleticism and grace of the performers paid full compliments to the choreography designed by Durell R. Comedy of the New York-based Limon Dance Company. An impeccable loveliness of motion oozed out of every movement, every gesture and every pore during the ballet’s riveting demonstrations.
The spellbound audience remained silent, clinging to the edge of their seats in breathless anticipation of the next sequence. Dionysus, the Greek god of theatre, smiled down from the heavens as the audience delivered a deafening applause at the conclusion of the ballet’s masterful performance.
The ICC Vocal Jazz, directed by Julie A. Clemens, kept the momentum of this evening flowing with the presentation of three songs: “Almost Like Being in Love,” “Lady Madonna” and “Summertime.”
Instrumentalists Ryan Klaus, Regan Berkshier and Jeremy Clark laid the foundation for an all-star cast of ICC Jazz vocalists that included Adam Schmillen, Courtney Daniels, Shea Perry, Zachary Palmer, Sam Hartley, Dalani Lee, Jacob Upp, Bryan Walters, Jay Williams, Margaret Hufnagel, Xaviera Kuissi, Bethany Pittenger and Harbinger Photo Editor Teresa Williams.
Master of Ceremonies Nick Maloof Sr. recollected Jim Maloof’s love for the arts and his unwavering dedication to St. Jude in between each performance. Jim Maloof, along with Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s, were instrumental in laying the groundwork for the Memphis-based research facility and hospital that treats children who have been diagnosed with life-threatening conditions.
Shortly before the fifteen minute intermission, collection plates were passed throughout the facility with the purpose of raising as much money as possible for St. Jude. Audience members wasted no time in filling these baskets and this generosity of the public served as an inspiration to all of those who were in attendance. This “good will offering” was the centerpiece of the evening’s events.
Bear hugs and intimate conversations were not an uncommon sight during the short intermission, as this night bonded both spectator and performer alike to join together for such an honorable endeavor.
“We give because St. Jude helps children,” said John and Melissa Enroy, Bloomington.
Amy Jones, St. Jude patient and advocate, stole the show with her story of twice being diagnosed with leukemia between the ages of 10 and 16. Both times St. Jude treated her with all the love, compassion, dedication and never-say-quit attitude that every ailing child truly deserves. Amy Jones possesses the kind of strength that moves mountains and her courage is the type that changes the world for the better.
“Live life with a purpose. Never, EVER give up, Jones said.
These are indeed very powerful words to live by, not words to die by.
St. Jude never charges a fee for their services and families never receive a single bill for the treatments, which many times run upwards of one million dollars. To donate to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital please visit www.stjude.org or call 1 (800) 805-5856.