MOUNT MORRIS — Though Hurricane Sandy largely spared Livingston County and the Rochester area, it tore through Red Hook, Brooklyn, flooding building basements with water from the New York Harbor and leaving residents without power, heat or water. As of this weekend, the neighborhood is still in disarray.
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Over 300 miles away, Cathie and Rick Barry of Mount Morris’s Theatre 101 heard about Red Hook’s despair and decided to help. It isn’t that far a stretch for Cathie and Rick to organize for Red Hook all the way up here. They have benefitted from the downtown revitalization in Mount Morris due in large part to the vision of developer Greg O’Connell and because O’Connell has done very much the same for Red Hook it was a logical endeavor for these two musicians-actors.
On Nov. 13 at 7 p.m., Theatre 101 will host a benefit concert to help the neighborhood of Red Hook begin to rebuild what O’Connell and others worked so hard to revitalize. According to a New York Times article from March 18, 2011, O’Connell began buying dilapidated buildings in Red Hook, which was known for its drug addicts and prostitutes, in 1982, the year after he retired from the N.Y.P.D. He renovated one building at a time and is now Red Hook’s biggest landowner. In 2007, he began to do the same thing in the small town of Mount Morris.
“We realize there are so many areas devastated by Sandy, and know most of you have contributed already,” wrote Cathie and Rick in an email sent out to supporters, “but we want to let Greg, who has done so much for us and all of Livingston County, know that we care about this particular area he holds so close to his heart.”
Cathie and Rick contacted several musicians who had performed at Theatre 101 in the past, and within hours received confirmations. They currently have 12 performers booked and are hoping to get more.
In addition to music, the benefit also features a 50/50 raffle, a Louise Michaud Creation Raffle, and refreshments.
Those attending the event are encouraged to make a donation. Those who cannot attend may e-mail theatre101@live.com or call (585)746-8441 to find out how they can donate.