Next stop, London

VOENA — Voices of Eve N’ Angels — will perform during the Olympics in London this month. Photos by Diana Braulik

VOENA choir holds finals fundraiser before Olympic trip

By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

VOENA has launched its last fundraising effort ahead of the choir’s trip to London for the Summer Olympics. The online auction, through Bidding For Good, will run through July 22.

VOENA — Voices of Eve N’ Angels, the Benicia-based choir that has performed for presidents and popes — will sing during the Olympics and perform at a couple other engagements while in the United Kingdom, including with the Mediaeval Baebes, the UK’s top-selling vocal ensemble.

The Medieval Baebes found out about VOENA when a fan pointed out a YouTube video of the local choir performing the Babes’ classic song, “Kinderly,” written by Katherine Blake.

“Mediaeval Baebes is neat because we’re going to be sharing the stage with them. Their PR person has been publicizing us all over Europe,” said Michelle Fulbrook, VOENA’s marketing manager. Her two daughters, Morgan, 10, and Parker, 9, are members of VOENA, which is comprised of boys and girls ages 6 to 18.

Before performing with Medieval Baebes on July 26, VOENA first will sing that day on the path of the Olympic torch relay. From there the choir will travel to Ireland to perform a goodwill ambassador show.

To afford the trip, VOENA and its director, Annabell Marie, have been organizing and performing fundraisers for the past five months.

Each singer needs roughly $4,500 to make the trip, Fulbrook said, and while almost $40,000 has been raised so far, “we still have a big push to go at the end here. So Bidding for Good is our last fundraiser.” Bidding For Good (biddingforgood.com) is a website that facilitates fundraiser auctions.

VOENA’s fundraising committee, meanwhile, has solicited local businesses for items to put up for auction, from gift certificates to various shops and restaurants to autographed baseball memorabilia, handcrafted jewelry, gift baskets and vacation packages.

Among the special items up for bid are a private house concert with Peppino D’Agostino and Jeff Campitelli, a private voice lesson with Annabelle Marie, and a mini private concert from members of VOENA.

And the choir’s fundraising committee is still accepting donated items and services through July 12. “This would give people at least 10 days to bid,” Fulbrook said.

To check out the auction, visit http://bit.ly/PmwZKZ.

To learn more about VOENA, or to make a direct or in-kind donation, visit www.voena.org.