Between rock and an earthquake

“I wanted to get involved in putting together a benefit for Nepal when I learned that a second large earthquake had hit the area, only two weeks after the first,” Steph Johnson informs the Reader, via email. “I tried to imagine what that would feel like — to lose everything, to witness a disaster of this proportion that ended more than 8000 lives.

“I immediately put a post out to Facebook to connect with other artists to see if they’d be interested in coming together and play and send the love from our music community in San Diego to Nepal. I am so blown away by how many amazing performers agreed to become a part of this show. The venue, artists, promoters, photographers, and local businesses who’ve donated raffle items, their time, and services free of charge. Every penny raised will be sent to a specific hospital and doctor who has been working around the clock to help the community.”

Of course, coming up with the idea was only the first step. Johnson needed a venue. That’s where Dustin Lothspeich, new talent buyer for the Merrow, came into the picture.

“Steph is really the mastermind behind the whole thing,” said Lothspeich. “I was just lucky to have a venue to offer. It’s coming this Sunday, June 28, at the Merrow in Hillcrest. It’ll run from 6 p.m. until 11 with a silent auction, raffles, traditional Nepali folk dancers, and of course, lots and lots of music. Besides Steph and Rob Thorsen, we’ll have Whitney Shay, Jeffrey Joe, Rebecca Jade, Viva Apollo, Rachel Eckroth, RaeLee Nikole, and a ton of other great musicians.”

“I feel confident that this evening will raise a good sum of money that will most definitely make a difference in the lives of those suffering,” says Johnson. “I also feel excited for our community to be joining forces for this cause. Many talented singer/songwriters, musicians, dancers, and artists will be at this event raising the vibration of love for our brothers and sisters in Nepal.”

Johnson has friends close to the earthquake zone. “I had been getting updates from musician friends, ‘checking in’ on Facebook to let me know that they were safe. It had a real effect on me. We are one human race and we need each other, always.”