Benefit for the North Star Fund featuring Raul Midon

Show Description

The North Star Fund is New York City's best kept secret. They are a progressive community foundation founded in 1979 by activists who believed in "Change Not Charity." Giving small grants to grassroots activists and organizers fighting for social justice in NYC's low income neighborhoods is the focus of their mission. North Star Fund is named for the abolition newspaper that Frederick Douglass founded in the 1800's. Slaves escaping bondage in the South followed the North Star along the famed, Underground Railroad. North Star Fund is seeking to raise funds for organizers and activists who have been on the frontline fighting against this administration's anti-democratic, "permanent and flexible war" policies. Tonight's benefit features singer-composer-guitarist Raúl Midón, the rising star discovered at Joe's Pub. The New Mexico-born, New York-based Midón plays a remarkable mélange of soul, R&B, pop, folk, jazz and Latin music, highlighting earnest, lyrical songwriting; full-bodied vocals steeped in soul; a singular syncopated, flamenco- and jazz-infused acoustic guitar style; a unique vocal trumpet improvisation; and a hopeful disposition. While you can hear traces of Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Jose Feliciano and, Richie Havens in his music, Midón is an extraordinary original whose passion is expressed in his indelible songs. The New York Times has called him a "virtuoso," while Newsday heralded him as a showstopper. The Washington Post commented that Midón's "style is a febrile amalgam of Stevie Wonder vocals, feel-good pop songwriting, sophisticated jazz harmonies and a ferociously aggressive way of playing acoustic guitar."