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2004 is shaping up as a defining year for LUNCH as the Connecticut-based program celebrates its 15th anniversary of using Harry Chapin music to help engage youth about how they can be part of the solution for hunger and poverty.

"Over the years, there really hasn't been one thing that was a turning point for LUNCH," said Founder and Executive Director Bill Pere. "It's just been a slow and steady evolution. With this year being our 15th Anniversary, we might see a larger step in our program development."

LUNCH —which stands for Local United Network to Combat Hunger—has its busiest schedule ever with major events every month in 2004, including its seventh Harry Chapin Legacy Show April 2nd and 3rd featuring the LUNCH ensemble. Click here to view LUNCH's complete event calendar.

This year's Legacy show, named after Dance Band on the Titanic, is a fun interpretation of Chapin music that includes Star Trek-like characters such as Capt. Jean-Luc Pick-A-Card, Mr. Schlock and Whoof the Klingon.

Tickets are $12 at the door or $10 in advance. Tickets are available through the LUNCH website, www.lunchensemble.com, or by calling (860) 572-9285. LUNCH also requests ticket-holders to bring at least one non-perishable food item.

What started out as a one-time event in 1989 to honor Harry Chapin's music has evolved 15 years later into an award-winning nonprofit organization that produces family-oriented concerts, plays and original music as well as sponsoring student workshops and conferences. Since its beginning, the LUNCH ensemble has involved 1,700 students from grades 4-12 and has raised more than $300,000 for various charitable organizations. As part of the effort, LUNCH has produced 20 original plays and 350 songs. See the Fall 2003 issue of Circle! for a Fan Fare profile on Bill Pere.

During its anniversary celebration the LUNCH ensemble will be working on a new CD, sponsor a Hunger Awareness Youth Action Conference, stage a number of concerts and produce its annual theme-based Christmas holiday show called The Gift of the Madguy!

While music is at the center of activities, teaching kids about important social issues is a major goal of the LUNCH program. Pere says LUNCH participants usually are surprised to learn that 100,000 children go hungry and 33,000 people are homeless in the relatively rich state of Connecticut.

"When they join LUNCH, most kids aren't plugged into sociopolitical issues," Pere says. "We hope to open their eyes and ears through music and discussion to show them what's happening around them."

LUNCH can always use help even by the non-musically inclined, especially this year with so many activities, Pere says. Volunteers are needed for event coordination and scheduling, fund-raising, phone assistance, publicity work, logistics, transportation, set design and construction, photography and many other activities.

And, of course, financial support is greatly appreciated. LUNCH has produced 13 CDs and offers a variety of t-shirts, mugs, lunchpails and other items for sale on its website.

photos courtesy of lunchensemble.com


	Highlights From LUNCH History

	1989 Bill Pere begins organizing event to be staged in 1991 to remember Harry Chapin 10 years after his death. 1991 Pere works with Connecticut Songwriters Association to produce the Harry Chapin memorial event that also raises $20,000 for local hunger relief groups. 1992-1995 The event becomes an annual tradition, and LUNCH expands to raise money to sponsor concerts, plays and summer camps that bring professional musicians together with youth to intermix music with social action. December 1995 First holiday show is produced under the title of ÒThe X-MasÓ files, the first show of original music based on a fun, contemporary theme. The show generates $3,000 that pays for holiday food baskets.			April 1997 The fourth Harry Chapin Legacy show is produced involving 100 kids and professionals artists. More than $30,000 is raised. July 2000 The annual Summer Music Camp at Camp Wightman continues to grow with 33 youth attending from grades 3-6. June 2002 Pere and his wife, Kay, are honored by the Connecticut Songwriters Association for their outstanding contributions to education and community service through music. February 2003 LUNCH launches its website at www.lunchensemble.com. June 2003 LUNCH presents a $1,000 donation to WHY during a Jen Chapin concert in Manchester. April 2004 Seventh Harry Chapin Legacy Show scheduled in Montville.

Watch for the Next Issue of Circle! on June 7