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Benefit Concert Aims To Chase Away The Blues

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: May 10, 2008

For 13 years, Take Back the Night: A Women's Blues Revue concert has enabled local musicians to use their music to make a stand against domestic and sexual violence.

"Through this event we want to make a difference and raise awareness in the community," said local singer/guitarist and event organizer Patty Sanphy. "This is something we all have a stake in."

Aside from raising awareness, the annual event, which takes place Mother's Day at Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa, raises needed money for five area domestic-violence shelters, including Sunrise of Pasco County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center in east Pasco and the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Program in west Pasco.

Last year's event raised $3,500, or $700 for each facility.

"I think it's so fitting that, on a day like Mother's Day, we come together to help agencies that protect women and children on a daily basis," said Christina Bates, social change community organizer at Sunrise of Pasco County.

Sanphy agreed.

"The event is not only open to women, but to men and families as well, and we have male performers supporting us, which is great," she said. "Even so, we want to provoke a strong image of women that is forthright."

To this end, Sanphy and her co-organizers have arranged a lineup of prominent blues performers such as vocalists Denise Moore, Nancy Johnson and Sheila Miranda; guitarists Tammy Hatch and Sanphy, who will play with Linda Faust on keyboards and Sandi Ross on bass, Dennis McCarthy on drums and George Pappas on blues harp. Other musical guests are Karen Benjey, George Allgaier, Anne Van Atta and Joey Donovan. The evening will begin with a special appearance by Liz Pennock and Dr. Blues.

Mixed in with some fun, musical numbers will be empowering songs such as "Respect" from Aretha Franklin and "I Don't Want No Man Tellin' Me What to Do."

"As musicians we speak out and tell stories through our music," Sanphy said. "We wear our hearts on our sleeves and express ourselves."

For Sanphy, who has arranged anti-violence efforts for more than 20 years, a musical revue is the ideal way to express her beliefs.

"It's important for me to use my music to continue my activism," she said. "We all lead busy lives, and musicians work so hard making a living from their music. I wanted to give something back through my music."

She also credits volunteers from the five beneficiary agencies - many of whom will be on hand at Take Back the Night to distribute helpful information at the concert - with giving back.

"They do so much good work on a daily basis," she said. "I love to see them dancing and having fun at the concert.

"The whole idea is to raise awareness and change attitudes," Sanphy said.

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT CONCERT

WHAT: Area musicians will present a benefit, the 13th annual Take Back the Night: A Women's Blues Revue concert "to bring attention to the problem of domestic and sexual violence."

WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa

CONTRIBUTIONS: The money raised from this concert will be donated to five area domestic violence agencies: Sunrise of Pasco County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center in east Pasco; CASA in St. Petersburg; The Haven in Clearwater; The Spring in Tampa; and the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Program in west Pasco.

HISTORY: The event began in 1996 and takes place on Mother's Day at Skipper's. The Women's Blues Revue adds a musical accent to the longstanding tradition of the Take Back the Night anti-violence march, which according to event organizer Patty Sanphy dates back to 1977.

GET INVOLVED: Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Advance tickets are available at Skipper's.

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