"Concert for Hurricane Relief" The Washington Center Announces a Benefit Concert to be held at The Washington Center, Thursday, September 22, 2005; 7:30 pm. All tickets for the concert are $25.

The Washington Center will host a benefit concert to aid the evacuees and victims of Hurricane Katrina. The evening will consist of music on the Main Stage, with 9 local musical artists:

Dennis Hastings Quartet, The number one male Jazz vocalist in the northwest music scene today.

LaVon Hardison, A stunningly gifted vocalist blending the Jazz and Blues and Gospel traditions.

The Chris Ward Band, No stranger to charitable works, Chris Ward is A Warner Brothers Country and Western Star from our local community. Called "the Voice" by his peers, Chris is the future of Country music.

Bevy, A very popular 7 piece woman's Latin Jazz ensemble. The music of Cuba and much more.

Bump Kitchen, One of the hottest funk bands to come out of the northwest.

Red Brown & The Tune Stranglers, A very exciting and classic Country Swing and Old Time Music group. Receiving a lot of press recently.

The New Life Baptist Church Choir; A stunning gospel choir exemplary of the richness of our community.

BeBop Revisited: In the jazz tradition of the 40's and 50's Master Saxophonist Bert Wilson, veteran of the Harry James band Jack Perciful and Northwest legend Chuck Stentz join in this classic ensemble.

Obrador; For nearly 30 years this internationally acclaimed group has fused Afro-Caribbean, Rhythm and Blues, and Jazz traditions. Considered a northwest treasure.

The evening's Master of Ceremonies will be Les Purse, the president of The Evergreen State College

Tickets are $25. Larger donations gladly accepted.

There are a limited number of tickets available for $50 that will include delightful southern-style hors d'oeuvres the Black Box Theater provided by Plenty, Ramblin' Jacks, and Budd Bay Café. That will also have a premium reserved seat for the show. Drinks will be available at a reduced drinks in

There will be a raffle held in the Black Box for a chance to win a basket full of gift certificates good for dinner for two at many local area restaurants.

There will be collection boxes in the lobby for new personal hygiene products, non-perishable canned food and other items to help with the influx of evacuees that will begin to arrive in Thurston County in the next few weeks.

All money collected will go to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina.