Shared Table to host donation-only concert to help tackle food insecurity
IT STARTED MUCH LIKE ANY
intentional gesture starts: with an act of kindness and generosity. Last fall, Ashlee Howard hosted a writer’s retreat at the Mabel Dodge Luhan Retreat Center. During one of the writing sessions, Howard hired Frederick Aragon to play the Native flute. The music and writing experience was so well-received that one of the attendees anonymously donated money for another concert.
That concert, which will be Native flute and opera, is happening from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 11 at El Pueblito United Methodist Church Sanctuary in El Prado — home of the Shared Table. Attendees will be encouraged to pay what they can afford — including donations of unopened, non-perishable foods (there is a robust need for tuna and peanut butter). All proceeds will go to Shared Table.
Howard and Aragon saw the opportunity to keep the retreat attendee’s generous act in motion which led to the decision to donate all the proceeds to Shared Table. According to Carmen Retzlaff, pastor at El Pueblito and director of Shared Table, the food needs of the Taos community have doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is our 30th year in operation. The food security crisis is happening all over the country and we are seeing it here in Taos.”
Shared Table is the primary ministry of the El Pueblito church. Each month, Shared Table distributes 1,000 food boxes to Taoseños in need. Distributions take place at the church and in Talpa twice a month. Shared Table also delivers food boxes and has emergency boxes on hand. “I think the little free food pantry outside the church is the most used in Taos,” explained Retzlaff of the increasing community need. “We could fill it every two hours the need is so great, but we try to fill it once a day.”
If locals do not recognize Aragon the musician for his expertise in playing native flutes, they may recognize him as the prolific painter and award-winning filmmaker. Joining Aragon will be Mark Jackson, an accomplished baritone singer who has traveled the world performing operas with various companies, notably the New York City Opera, Boston Opera Company and, closer to home, the Santa Fe Opera, among others. Jackson has also performed for the Harwood Museum of Art and the Taos Chamber Music Group. In addition to teaching private lessons, Jackson is the director of the First Presbyterian Church of Taos.
Accompanying Jackson will be Lukás Janata, a Wurlitzer Fellow from the Czech Republic, currently living in Taos. The two plan to sing pieces from “Les Misérables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “La Traviata,” and “Don Pasquale.”
While monetary and food donations will be graciously accepted, Retzlaff explained the importance of community members who donate consistently. “Most of our donations are small, regular gifts each month, neighbors helping neighbors.” Approximately 20 volunteers donate every month on food distribution days – oftentimes individuals who receive food from Shared Table are also on hand volunteering. “For many of our volunteers, this is their main place of community. It’s busy and a fun place to volunteer,” added Retzlaff.