AMERICAN singer songwriter Suzanne Vega is to headline a one-off concert in the UK to raise money for street children in Latin America.Suzanne, whose hits include Tom’s Diner, Luka, Left of Centre, Marlene on the Wall, Frank & Ava and Zephyr & I, will play the benefit gig to celebrate the tenth anniversary of children’s charity Casa Alianza in the UK.
The singer, who has had seven British top 50 albums, is a long-standing supporter of the charity which helps street children in Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua.
The concert at Birmingham Town Hall on 12 July is the only date so far announced in the UK on Suzanne’s European and Asian tour which also takes in dates in Hungary, Germany, Russia, Italy and Israel.
Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant songwriters of her generation, New York based Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been labelled contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she continues to give sold-out concerts in many of the world’s best-known venues.
Suzanne, a long-standing supporter of Casa Alianza, maintains her commitment to children’s rights and is delighted to be headlining this 10th Anniversary Benefit Concert for Casa Alianza.
“I am really glad that Casa Alianza came up with the idea of this concert and am really happy to be taking part,” she said.
“Casa Alianza is an organisation which becomes deeply involved where it sees the need. It offers help, education and legal representation for children who are living on the streets.
“I love English audiences and really hope they come out to support us.”
Performing with Suzanne Vega is guitarist, songwriter and producer Gerry Leonard who was music director for David Bowie on his 2003/4 Reality world tour and DVD and has also played with Laurie Anderson, Rufus Wainwright and Avril Lavigne.
The event at Birmingham Town Hall on July 12 from 7.30pm is being presented by Stourbridge music venue Katie Fitzgerald’s whose co-manager, Black Country musician Eddy Morton, will be support artist.
“We are delighted that a singer songwriter of such international renown as Suzanne Vega is supporting us with this benefit concert,” said Eddy.
Casa Alianza funds a series of projects including street educators, hostels, education, health advice, legal representation and family reintegration for children living rough on the streets of Central America and Mexico.
It works with more than 12,000 children each year, many of whom have been abandoned, orphaned or abused.
Tickets for the Casa Alianza 10th Anniversary Benefit Concert cost £27.50 and are available on 0121 780 3333 and the website.
For more information see www.casa-alianza.org.uk
