When Music Becomes a Safe Haven

When Music Becomes a Safe Haven

A Midsummer Night of Music, Friendship and Hope at the Langham

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Some evenings are simply beautiful. Others leave you thinking about the deeper meaning of why we gather, why we give, and how fortunate we are to have people in our lives who continue to inspire us.

Saturday, August 8, was one of those evenings.

More than 240 guests gathered for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream Concert', a fundraising dinner presented by Wish of Angel's Missions, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by my dear friend Angela Fu. The Langham Hotel's ballroom was filled with civic leaders, community personalities, accomplished musicians, longtime friends, and familiar faces from throughout the San Gabriel Valley and beyond.

And for me, that is always one of the greatest joys of these kinds of community events- the people.

I loved the opportunity to catch up with so many familiar faces, including former Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and his wife, Christine; San Marino City Councilman John Chou; Chinese Club of San Marino past presidents Dr. Ken Chen and Maggie Lee; and so many San Marino residents and neighbors. These gatherings remind me how fortunate I am to be part of a community where relationships built over many years continue to bring people together around causes that matter.

In a busy life, we don't always have the opportunity to slow down and reconnect. An evening like this gives us that gift.

And then there was the music.

Angela's Belief in the Healing Power of Music

Angela Fu is someone whose passion is contagious. She loves music, but more importantly, she believes deeply in what music can do for people.

Her vision for Wish of Angel's Missions is not simply about putting on concerts. It is about creating opportunities for people to experience music as healing, music as connection, and music as a place of refuge.

Her emphasis on music therapy and "singing for wellness" really resonated with me.

I have always believed that the arts can bring people together in ways that conversation sometimes cannot. Music crosses language, culture, age, and background. You don't have to understand every word to feel something.

Sometimes a song can take us back to a memory.

Sometimes it can lift us when we are going through a difficult season.

Sometimes it simply gives us permission to stop, breathe, and be present.

And sometimes, perhaps most importantly, it reminds us that we belong.

That is the kind of safe haven Angela hopes to create through music.

An Evening Filled With Extraordinary Talent

The program was beautifully curated by Angela.

Cross-cultural vocalist Jimmy Shao brought his remarkable voice to the stage, performing with his 10-piece Chamber Pop Band and two backing vocalists. His voice has a quality that is both beautiful and uplifting, and the energy in the room was mesmerizing.

I was especially happy to see my longtime friends Karen Han-Ottosson and Paul Ottosson. The couple flew in from east coast to be with us.

Karen is an internationally acclaimed erhu virtuoso, composer, vocalist, and Hollywood actress, and her artistry beautifully bridges Eastern and Western musical traditions. She shared the stage with the incredibly talented and award-winning pianist Donna Weng Friedman.

And, of course, Paul - Karen's husband and a three-time Oscar-winning sound designer—was there to support her and the evening. Having known them for many years, it was particularly special to see them both at this celebration.

Watching these accomplished artists perform reminded me once again that music is much more than entertainment. It is an emotional language.

More Than a Gala

One of Angela's opening remarks that stayed with me was:

"Tonight is more than a concert; it is a celebration of music, compassion, and community togetherness."

I couldn't agree more.

Since 2017, Wish of Angel's Missions has worked to serve communities through medical assistance, education, sports, music, cultural initiatives, and spiritual outreach.

That broad mission speaks to something I have experienced throughout my own years of community service: people don't live in separate boxes.

A child may need education and encouragement. A family may need medical assistance. Someone going through a difficult time may need connection. Another person may simply need a place where they feel seen and welcomed.

Sometimes the most meaningful support is not about fixing something. It is about creating a space where someone can feel safe enough to heal.

Why Evenings Like This Matter

After decades of being involved in community service, philanthropy, education, and the arts, I have come to appreciate that relationships are one of our greatest resources.

We often think about philanthropy in terms of money raised or programs delivered—and those things certainly matter.

But philanthropy is also about bringing people together.

It is about friendships that have lasted decades.

It is about introducing one person to another.

It is about sharing a talent.

It is about showing up.

And sometimes it is about sitting around a beautiful ballroom with old friends and new friends, listening to music, and remembering how much good can happen when people care.

That is what I felt Saturday night.

I left the Langham feeling grateful—not only for the beautiful music, but for Angela's vision and for everyone who came together to support it.

In a world that can sometimes feel noisy, uncertain, and disconnected, perhaps we need more spaces like this.

Spaces where music gives us joy.

Spaces where people can breathe.

Spaces where cultures meet.

Spaces where friendships are renewed.

Spaces where someone who is struggling can find a little comfort.

And spaces where, even for one evening, we can all feel that we belong.

Music has the power to heal. Music has the power to connect. And music has the power to remind us that we are never truly alone.

Thank you, Angela and Wish of Angel's Missions, for creating such a beautiful evening and for continuing to turn a passion for music into a mission of compassion.

May the music continue beyond the ballroom, and may it bring healing, joy, and a sense of belonging to many more lives.