VOICES OF GOTHAM Fund Raiser

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Jay Gurewitsch

On February 4th, Voices of Gotham, the New York men's chorus group, was the beneficiary of Arcadia Spa & Home’s First Mondays Fundraiser.

Happening the first Monday of each month, First Mondays are free afterwork socials that benefit grassroots, local and NYC based charities. Over the evening, 10% of the evening’s sales and 100% of raffle proceeds are donated to the featured cause—part of Arcadia’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.

Housing Works, Broadway Cares, Angel on a Leash, Trinity Place Shelter, GMHC and the PTAs for both Lab School and PS11 have benefited from First Mondays and shared almost $3,000 raised since May.

“Our First Mondays events benefit local charities that have real and positive impacts on our community,” says owner Jay Gurewitsch. “We want to foster those relationships and encourage connections between our customers and these causes.”

On January 8, 2008, the first twelve members of Voices of Gotham (VoG) convened with the aim of developing a fresh new a cappella offering for New York City. Just four short years later, the Chorus was named Mid-Atlantic District Barbershop Chorus Champions.

Throughout the evening, the "Choir Boys" kept bursting into some very enjoyable Barbershop renditions

Voices of Gotham is now more than fifty voices strong and growing. While young in median age, 28, they have managed to establish themselves as one of the fastest rising performance choruses in New York City. Voices of Gotham is a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the largest a cappella musical organization in the world. Their members include professional actors and musicians, former college a cappella singers, and men who simply enjoy raising their voices in song. With a constantly morphing repertoire that includes a mix of classical, barbershop, vocal jazz, doo-wop, and contemporary a cappella selections. VoG actively fosters the development of quartets, small performance groups, and soloists who perform as featured members of the chorus, at performances throughout the city. They also employ coaches and host master classes from some of the best regarded a cappella performers in the New York City area and abroad.

Voices of Gotham is always accepting new members. Guests are welcome to visit any rehearsal and audition periods occur throughout the year. Prospective new members should be experienced singers or performers with a strong work ethic. VoG members rehearse most Thursdays; check out Vog's website for current schedules.

Jay replenishes the trays holding his scrumptious homemade cookies

as friends Ed Garou and Joe Miceli-Magnone smile for my camera

Voices of Gotham is always accepting new members. Guests are welcome to visit any rehearsal and audition periods occur throughout the year. Prospective new members should be experienced singers or performers with a strong work ethic. VoG members rehearse most Thursdays.

Chorus Members eagerly hoard the raffle tickets

Raffle tickets to win a free 60-minute Dr. Hauschka Swedish Massage are available in store only, for $2 each or $10 for six. Raffle ticket purchasers do not need to be present when the draw happens.

Founded in 2000, Arcadia Spa & Home is NYC's largest gift store dedicated to Sustainable, Fair Trade, Organic, Local, Handmade and One-of-a-kind items—including jewelry, candles, skin care, art, home accessories, books, toys and personal accessories. Arcadia is also a Premier Dr. Hauschka day spa with a comprehensive menu of organic and holistic massage and facial treatments.

The most luxurious fragrances for the home I've ever sampled are to be found

at this treasure cave in one of Chelsea's main commercial strip, 23rd street

 

Practically all of the art glass is signed by the artist,

unless it is stamped by the studio

Some of the singers in the group are CJ Pacelli, Josh Ehrlich, Nate Salvaza

John Cape, Mike Marron, Dylan Lupo, Cy Wood, Erick Engelhardt and Tom Tyson

The continued work of Voices of Gotham depends largely on the generosity of those who appreciate the art they create. Please consider supporting them by making a tax-deductible donation, or purchasing a ticket to any VoG show or fundraiser.

You can find out more about how to contribute, as well as their current performance schedule by friending them on Facebook www.facebook.com/voicesofgotham and following them on Twitter @voicesofgotham for all the latest news.

Jay livens things up by pouring the sparkling wine, a nice cold supplement to

his homemade hot cider being served as well.

To See More Photos of this Event, CLICK HERE