Voices Carry

“Serendipity” is how Everson Museum of Art director Steven Kern describes the creation of a benefit known as Voices, which will marry visual art and local music with law and social consciousness. On Thursday, Oct. 6, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Hiscock Legal Aid

Society and the Everson co-present the fundraising showcase at the museum’s Sculpture Court, 401 Harrison St.

“The idea of using the beautiful facility we have for a fundraiser, even when the two organizations seemed to be different in terms of mission, priorities and philosophy, rose from working from different sides with different constituents toward a common ground,” Kern said. “We went on from that common ground and organized this event together.”

The evening offers attendees a chance to experience art in the form of I.M. Pei’s Everson architecture, artworks from around the world, and music provided by Syracuse University’s Brazilian Ensemble, Grupo Pagan and Salt City natives Karl Sterling and Joanna Jewett. The talent was compiled by a selection committee of Everson enthusiasts and Hiscock advocates. “People put on the table what they’d like to see happen and hammered out a program, then they made it reality,” Kern said.

Hiscock contacted Sterling, a seasoned drummer, last spring for help with the lineup. “I’ve been here in Syracuse forever, playing for about 35 years,” Sterling said. “I worked with Helen Kelley {director of development at Hiscock} to put together a variety of musical styles that would represent our community. It’s going to be a really fun night.”

Aside from the musical voices on display at the Everson, Hiscock will use proceeds from the evening to help give the disfranchised a voice that might not otherwise be heard in the legal system. The Everson committee and the Hiscock folks started talking about voices: people finding a voice through expression and representation. What the committee discovered was that it mirrored the process and passion found in music and art.

“We found a common thread between what we want to see happen at the museum and what the Hiscock Legal Aid Society wanted to make happen for the community, as well,” Kern said.

Pending a strong turnout for Voices, this could be the start of something big. Kern is optimistic, especially given the Everson’s familiarity with multidisciplinary functions. “When you’re in a new endeavor it’s always a bit of a science experiment,” Kern said. “With something that brings together long-standing orga nizations of the community like this, it’s likely that this will become an annual event. Even though we are an institution of visual arts, musical performances and songs regularly come here in one fashion or another. Bringing that together with a fundraiser is a win-win.”

The Voices event will also promote the upcoming Everson schedule of prominent exhibits, such as a show devoted to artist Robert Henri, who painted Irish landscapes during the early 20th century. “We’re finding more ways to connect with the community through everything from tried-andtrue programs to new and innovative events,” Kern said. “It’s always an adventure bringing new audiences to the visual arts.”

Reservations for Voices are $125 per person. For more information, call 474-6064 or visit everson.org.

—Jessica Zurell

Parliament in Session

Rock’n’Roll Hall of Famers George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic headline Funktoberfest, a daylong event slated for Saturday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m., at Gelston Castle Estate, 980 Robinson Road, Mohawk. Clinton has been bringing heavy grooves to the world of funk since the 1970s, always delivering a wild, energetic, completely unpredictable show to the booty-shakin’ masses. The group was voted No. 6 in Spin magazine’s “50 Greatest Bands of All Time” in 2002 and electrified crowds at the 1999 Woodstock in Rome, N.Y.

Also on tap at Funktoberfest will be music from L*A*W, Anguile & the High Steppers, Frank Stepanek Band with George Deveny, Slug and DJ Kaleaf. Advance tickets are $30 and only adults 21 and over with valid IDs will be allowed entrance. There will be a 30 percent discount for VFW and active military members. Gates open at 10 a.m.

For more information, visit www.gelstoncastleestate.com or call (877) 3-SAFFLYN.

—Jessica Novak