Performance benefits East Lake Expression Engine

Several local musicians are combining their talent to put on a benefit performance for East Lake Expression Engine.

“Strength in Unity: A Concert of Musical Diversity” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Camp House, 149 E. M.L. King Blvd.

Organized by Nabil Ince, whose stage name is Seaux Chill, the concert will feature 15 performers; among them: singer- pianist James Ward, drummer Kofi Mawuko, violinist Evelyn Petcher, Little Engine pre-K music students and staff mem- bers of East Lake Expression Engine. Ince will rap and play piano.

East Lake Expression Engine is a t utoring, music and mentoring program through New City Fellowship co-founded by Petcher, Michael Kendall and Libby O’Neil. Students participate in music classes such as choir, bucket band, musicianship and orchestra.

It is founded on the ideals of the El Sistema movement that music is an effective avenue for developing children’s creativity and problem-solving skills, and for building a strong community.

Ince, a senior at Covenant College majoring in music with a concentration in jazz piano, is involved in its afterschool music programs.

He says benefit concerts in a local church have been held previously, but this is different.

“This is a new approach with this range of ages and genres. Before it was just classical music, but this concert will have jazz, hip- hop, classical and world music. This will be more informal, much more relaxed.”

Admission is free, but donations will be collected for the East Lake Expression Engine.

For more i nformat i on: eastlakeexpressionengine.com.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Musician Seaux Chill performs with youth in the East Lake Expression Engine.