Concert to benefit typhoon victims

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

Youngstown

Bernadette Lim, a local actress and musician, was shocked by the devastation Typhoon Haiyan caused in the Philippines, to which she traces her heritage.

The November storm walloped the island nation with unprecedented force, wiping out villages and claiming more than 5,000 lives.

To help the suffering survivors, Lim has put together a concert this Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Knox Building, 110 W. Federal St., downtown. Suggested admission is $5, and all proceeds will go to the Red Cross of the Philippines.

Scheduled to perform are Lim and Katherine O’Neill, plus Dr. Goo, Baker, Tribe of Eos, Eminent Domain, Rare Elements featuring Eveloption, Will & Dowd, Natalie Sprouse, David Pokrivnak and Rick Jacob Morrow.

Ray Beiersdorfer will start the evening with Dr. Ray’s Amazing Sideshow of Science, and Melanie Rae Buonavolonta will offer professional photo booth sessions for donations. There also will be a silent auction and raffle, and food donated by Kravitz Deli will be available. The Knox Building also will donate a percentage of food sales to the cause.

Lim is a member of rock band the Zou. She also has a role in the current production of Rust Belt Theater’s “How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas,” which is on stage this weekend at Calvin Center.

She is an Ohio native but still has a lot of family in the Philippines. In fact, her father and grandmother were visiting the nation when the typhoon hit. Both were unharmed, but Lim went through hours of agony waiting to hear from them while she feared the worst.

“After what seemed like an eternity of hopelessness, my father finally responded to my message,” Lim recalled. “‘We are fine. I love you,’” he messaged.

“I don’t remember the last time I was more thankful,” said Lim. “Then, the realization that thousands of Filipinos weren’t as lucky started to sink in.”

Lim again felt helplessness and despair until it was suggested she use her musical talent and host a benefit concert. The response she received from local musicians was overwhelming, she said.