Sing Out Against Hunger This Weekend

For the first time since its inception in 2002, the Singing Out Against Hunger (SOAH) musical benefit for East Bay's hungry will go off live and unplugged.  But, as the flyer points out: "Quiet Music Can Still Help Hungry People."

The event, which benefits those in need in Middletown as well as other Newport County and East Bay communities, will be held this weekend with local musicians performing Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. at two venues right across the river in Tiverton: Evelyn's Drive-In restaurant and Coastal Roasters café. 

Meanwhile in Portsmouth, singer, songwriter and fisherman extraordinaire Gary Fish will pass the fishbowl and also accept non-perishable and canned goods during his weekly Open Mic session at Custom House Coffee. 

All proceeds will contribute directly to the SOAH charity performance.  The Open Mic will begin at 2 p.m. this Sunday and will feature no less than 12 entertainers from the area.

"I think it's a great thing," said Fish.  "We can really reach out to help the needy in our area, especially at this time of year." 

Fish started out in the SOAH lineup years ago, but soon saw a need for fundraising in his community of Little Compton. He took up the cause and started to raise funds for SOAH with shows of his own.  A former commercial fisherman with a penchant for quirky lyrics, Fish performs his colorful tunes at venues all around the East Bay.  He also will perform at SOAH on Saturday from 3 to 4 p.m. at Evelyn's Drive-In.

For a complete schedule of performers and events, visit the Singing Out Against Hunger Web site.

To date, SOAH has raised more than $48,000 in an effort to provide nutritious food for those in need in the communities of Little Compton, Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport.

"We work directly with local food banks," said Jane Bitto, co-president of SOAH.  Bitto and husband Domenic organize all of SOAH's community events and stay busy running Evelyn's Drive-In, the legendary seafood restaurant.

"East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) distributes the funds we raise because they have the resources and they know who is the neediest in our community right now," Bitto added.  "All of our money does primarily go toward hunger, but some years during the recession, we assisted with oil needs because that seemed to be a bigger issue during the winter months."

All of the participating merchants will be accepting donations in the form of canned goods, non-perishable food items and, of course, cash. Concert-goers are also encouraged to participate in raffles and silent auctions, with prizes generously donated by local businesses.

Back on July 12, when SOAH applied for their permits to hold the three-day festival, they were told by the Tiverton Town Council that performers could not amplify their instruments and that festivities must end at 7 p.m., much earlier than years' past.

At first, the event was put in limbo but the SOAH committee quickly decided that the show must go on, in spite of the new restrictions. Petitions were signed in protest and a hearing was then held on Aug. 23 to reconsider their July 12 decision.  The result of that hearing was a 3-3 tie, and the motion to keep SOAH unplugged remained intact.

On the up-side to the controversy, newspaper articles and online social networking sites have brought more awareness to the event in the last month, which Bitto hopes will translate into a bigger turnout.

Pumpkin Head Ted, Ian Fitzgerald, Annes Cordial, Red Eye Flight, and bellydancer Barbara the Dancing Spirit are just a few of the acts performing throughout the weekend.

The next event planned for SOAH will be the third annual golf outing–Swinging Out Against Hunger—at the Swansea Country Club on Sunday, Oct. 24.