Youth Coffee House Supports Zambian Orphans

The First Unitarian Society of Newton (FUSN) held the 9th annual Youth Coffeehouse fundraiser on March 6, 2010, to support Communities Without Borders (CWB). The event raised $4,400 to support the education costs of orphans and vulnerable children in Chawama, FUSN’s partner community in Zambia. The event was successful due to the efforts of the 85 youth and 35 adults who served on the leadership team, committees, and/or as performers. Also, more than 400 attendees generously bought tickets, food, beverages, and merchandise. Some people made additional donations to CWB after hearing testimonials about CWB’s work in Chawama from seven FUSN teenagers who traveled to Zambia in the summer of 2009.

The event was highly entertaining! The acts were varied and included acapella groups, bands, comedy troupes, juggling, and musical performances by teenagers from Newton North and Newton South high schools. Two FUSN teens served as Mistresses of Ceremonies and engaged the crowd with humor and merriment. One of the performers raised additional funds by posting his amazing fiddling act on You Tube. The accompanying pictures highlight the array of talent from the show.

Stay tuned for Coffee House 2011!

The 2010 Coffee House Line Up

Rachel Bass & Sophie Scharlin-Pettee ~ Mistresses of Ceremonies

Acoustic Act ~ 7-9 PM

• Ukulele Brothers ~ Paul Batchelor (bass & ukulele) & Brendan Hathaway (ukulele)=
• Newtones ~ the Newton South acapella group
• Will Batchelor ~ Diabolo
• Bandanasaurus ~ Julia Belamarich (guitar) & Melissa Weikart (vocals)
• Children of the Candy Corn ~ the Newton South improv troupe
• John MacGaffey ~ fiddler

~Youth appeal for Communities Without Borders~

• Forté ~ the Newton North acapella group
• Melissa Sullivan ~ pianist
• Skylar Fox ~ juggler
• Rachelle Jereza ~ vocalist accompanied by Paul Batchelor, Nate Harris, & Dan Friedman
• Cabaret Troupe ~ Newton North contemporary musical theatre group

Bands ~ 9-11 PM

• Common Illusion ~ Emmet McCleary (vocals, drums), Alec Mapes-Frances (guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals), Owen Weitzman (guitar)
• Pajammin' ~ Nick Sobel (vocals, saxophone), Josh Richards (rhythm guitar), Ben Weissman (trumpet, rap), Sam Forman (bass, vocals), Matt Breuer (drums), Ross Hoyt (lead guitar, keyboards)
• Phinale ~ Bohan Leng
• Downtown Collective ~ Nate Harris (keys, vocals), Jordan Ascher (guitar, vocals), Alex Ho (guitar), Paul Batchelor (bass, vocals), Dan Friedman (drums)
• Vitamin Seed ~ Motoki Otsuka (drums), Zachary Levine-Caleb (bass, vocals), Neev Blume (guitar), Patrick Colin Walsh (synth, kalimba, percussion)

Location: Parish Hall, 1326 Washington Street, West Newton MA