The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Blues for Ukraine benefit concert set for Sunday
NEW BRITAIN — The Connecticut Blues Society is joining efforts to help refugees in Poland with Blues for Ukraine, a benefit concert, to be held Sunday at the Pulaski Club, 89 Grove St., starting at 3 p.m.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Ukrainians who have fled to Poland. Admission is $10 per person. The folks at the door collecting the money are from Maidan United, a nonprofit based in Hartford that was created to provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainians beginning with the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014.
The entertainment lineup features three great Connecticut bands: the Rich Badowski Blues Band, the All-Star Blues Band and the Night Shakers.
The benefit is a cause that strikes very close to
Badowski’s heart — his own family has already mailed packages to provide support to people fleeing the attacks in Ukraine. His father was born in a section of Poland that became part of Ukraine when it was incorporated into the Soviet Union after World War II. Badowski said his father was not allowed to return to Poland, and is a former Soviet POW who was imprisoned in a camp in Siberia. Badowski and family lived in Poland for ten years.
The All-Star Blues Band featuring Liviu Pop and Tommy Whalen, is also performing. Pop, a native of Rumania, said he is well aware of the politics of that part of the world. He still has family and friends there, and visits each year.
“I feel devastated, along with the whole world, about the situation in Ukraine,” Pop said. “Actually, we are all in peril now — let's hope for a resolution soon. Meantime, the Ukranians need our help. One way is to contribute towards the effort that all the neighboring countries of Ukraine are making these days, to welcome and shelter the refugees. So, while enjoying some good live blues, you'll also support a great cause.”
From New London County, the concert will also welcome the new and improved Night Shakers, featuring Ryan Hartt. Get ready to enjoy
an afternoon and evening of great music while supporting a much-needed humanitarian cause.
The bands are all volunteering their time, and members of the Connecticut Blues Society are also giving their time to planning and organizing Blues for Ukraine.
The Pulaski Club is donating the use of the venue. Besides joining the Connecticut Blues Society in this benefit, the Pulaski Club recently held a concert, “Help for Ukraine” with local artists.
Maidan United, a registered 501c3 nonprofit, is a volunteer organization and has developed a network of connections in Ukraine and Poland to ensure that all donations go toward helping to
provide much-needed medical supplies to the people of Ukraine.
“We were founded in 2014 when Russia invaded Ukraine. Since 2014, we’ve raised over $500,000 in USD and medical supplies. All donations go toward helping civilians impacted by Russia’s attacks on Ukraine,” members of the group said on their website.
“We work with contacts and organizations in and around Ukraine to get them access to medical equipment and supplies,” members said. “Right now we are fielding requests from hospitals and other volunteer organizations that are expressing urgent needs for tourniquets, blood clotting powder, and bags
for blood donations. There are people in Ukraine willing to donate blood to their wounded friends and family but cannot do so due to the lack of bags to store the blood.”
For more information go to: https://www. maidanunited.org/ , where there is also information on how to donate if you cannot make the benefit. All donations are tax-deductible.
No refreshments will be available at the Pulaski Club, but Badowski recommended two Broad Street restaurants: the Belvedere Restaurant at 82 Broad St., and Staropolska at 252 Broad St. Both open at 11 a.m.; come and enjoy some of the best Polish cuisine before the concert.