Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
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On SEPTEMBER 14, 2002, a benefit music festival that is being staged on behalf of the White Mountain Apache Reservation in Arizona. Activites will begin at 1:00 or 1:30 in the afternoon at the ampitheater/bandshell in Ephrata, pennsylvania Community Park, behind the Ephrata Playhouse and Eicher Art Gallery. Admission to the Fest is FREE, with donations being collected throughout the day.

In July, fires raged through the White Mountain Reservation in eastern Arizona, devastating thousands of acres of timberland. The Apache tribe there depends on the forest for harvesting as well as for the sport and tourist industries. It will take the forest 40-60 years to recover itself. All proceeds from the Apache Music Benefit will go to health and welfare agencies in the White Mountain reservation.

Ephrata is about 1 and 1/2 hours from the Philly area, 2 hours from Baltimore, Maryland area.

Appearing in concert will be the Terry Strongheart Band, a Lancaster area group playing country rock/southern rock style music based on songs written by frontman, Cherokee singer/songwriter Terry Strongheart.

Strongheart's songs deal mainly with the Native American experience. The Terry Strongheart Band has performed at outdoor music festivals, museum events and Native American pow wows and cultural festivals in the eastern US. Their 2001 CD, "Tears," has received rave reviews and has received airplay on Native American Radio and National Public Radio stations throughout the US. Last winter, the Strongheart Band and Coyote Trails Trading Post of Willow Street, Pennsylvania hosted a benefit concert that netted thousands of dollars for a New York family who lost a loved one in the Trade Center Towers on 9/11.

Also appearing will be the JACK MCTAMNEY BAND, a popular roots rock group from Philadelphia, and the Celtic music acoustic duo, FIRE IN THE GLEN. Other bands will be announced.

The White Mountain Apache Benefit Music Fest is being sponsored by the Eicher Arts Gallery in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, the Ephrata Area Community Park and the Terry Strongheart Band.

For more details, contact Tim Truman.