Concert for a Cause
Inaugural Dallas concert blends a night of fun with the joy of giving back
Having a good time, listening to live music, and donating money to a good cause are all things that make you feel good, so do all three at once at Hope Fest: Live from HARWOOD. The inaugural event, which is presented by Harwood International, will take place at Happiest Hour on September 30, and its proceeds will help give hope to different groups of people by funding three amazing groups.
Those organizations are: Connecting Point of Park Cities, which provides impactful day programs for adults with special needs; Cornerstone Achievement Center, a private school providing individualized support for children with special needs; and Love Like You Mean It, which seeks to change the treatment of young girls and women in India who are cast into trafficking.
Hope Fest chairs Katelyn and Oliver Barbier-Mueller, who is executive vice president of Harwood International, have worked with all three, and have seen firsthand the incredible impact they all provide.
“We wanted to be do our part to ensure that these organizations would be able to go on providing services for many years to come,” says Katelyn Barbier-Mueller. “Because when you meet the teammates and students that Connecting Point and Cornerstone serve, you can't help but fall in love with them and do whatever you can to help them have the most meaningful and fulfilling lives possible.”
Fort Worth musician Josh Weathers, who will be performing at the concert, and his wife Kady are huge supporters of Love Like You Mean It, and have even traveled to India to lend their support.
“After our first trip, Kady and I saw things that we couldn't unsee,” Weathers says. “After witnessing children in such extreme depravity, we were compelled to create a solution that would ensure that future generations would have more opportunity.”
In addition to Weathers, local musicians Cas Haley and Michael Lee will also be performing at Hope Fest.
“My music is rooted in hope and inspiration,” says Haley, who was the runner-up on season two of America’s Got Talent. “I'm stoked to be a part of Hope Fest and take part in this community effort to give hope.”
While galas and benefit concerts can sometimes be outrageously expensive, tickets for Hope Fest are only $60 for general admission and $150 for a VIP experience. A small price to pay indeed for not only a fun night at one of Dallas' most popular hot spots, but also the knowledge that you're helping those in need.
“We also wanted to do all this in a fun way that could bring our wonderful group of friends together to work together to benefit the city we live in,” Katelyn Barbier-Mueller says. “We also strive to be people not just of good words and intentions, but of tangible acts of love.”
For tickets and more information, visit www.hopefestlive.com.