Sólo Cantar: A Celebration of Life through Story and Song

It's SHOW DAY!!!!! Fundraiser update and show info below.

We are SO GRATEFUL for everyone who has supported us so far, especially folks who have donated this week to help us reach our goal! We're about $1,200 away from our production goal. Help us reach it today! We need to pay for tonight's dinner for the band, pay our event producer, and be covered for other last minute expenses. Anything above production goes to the ALS Association NC Chapter!!!

You can also Venmo LeLaina-Romero or CashApp $LeLainaRomero

If you are attending in person, you are required to wear a face covering over your nose and mouth while inside the building. You also need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (one dose Johnson and Johnson OR two doses Moderna or Pfizer) with a matching ID.

Paid parking is available at the garage on Morris Street just north of Morgan Street. Limited street parking available. Street parking is metered and generally free after 7pm. Please check signs carefully!

You can buy in-person tickets until 4pm today, so please share the ticket link widely! We still have seats available! You can also let folks know that tickets will be available at the door for $30 and up via cash, credit card, Venmo, or CashApp.
https://solocantarshow.brownpapertickets.com/

And we go live on LeLaina's YouTube channel at 7pm! Please share widely. All are welcome! Free to attend, and donations to the ALS Association NC Chapter WELCOME and ENCOURAGED! https://tinyurl.com/SoloCantarLIVE

Donate here: https://donate.onecause.com/solocantar/home

See you tonight!

We are so excited to see many of you on Saturday night, and to interact with those of you streaming the show! We have a link for the livestream: https://tinyurl.com/SoloCantarLIVE. This is a link for a video going live on LeLaina's YouTube channel on Saturday at 7pm. You can click the link now to set a reminder, and please share widely! All are welcome.

The livestream is free and available for one night only! We have a donation link for the ALS Association North Carolina Chapter on our ticket site and it will be shared throughout the evening.

We are about $1,400 away from meeting our production fundraising goal!!! Please give what you can today. This has been such a labor of love, and it would not be possible without all of our artists, production staff, tech staff, and supporters!

Pic is from our rehearsal at the Durham Arts Council last night. Pictured left to right: Le'Andra McPhatter on keys, Russell Favret (not visible) on guitar, Jyvonne Haskin taking a vocal break, Butler Knowles on bass, Brevan Hampden on drums, LeLaina Romero and Ramón Casiano at the mics, James Armstrong (not visible) on trumpet, Keenan McKenzie on sax, Andy Kleindienst on Trombone, Atiba Rorie (not visible) on percussion.

Thanks to over 150 generous supporters, we can livestream the show on April 30th!!! We have $2,127 to go to meet our production goal of $16K. This will help us rent a higher quality sound system, pay staff, feed the band, and purchase rapid COVID tests for rehearsals.

We're testing either way to care for one another, but y'all know these tests are not cheap! Will you share the fundraiser and event widely, and donate today if you can?

We can't wait to bring you these songs and stories!!!

You can also give on Venmo @LeLaina-Romero, or CashApp $LeLainaRomero.

Two numbers: $800 to fully fund the livestream. $3,520 to RELAX and give anything above production to the ALS Association NC Chapter! No donation is too small!

If two people donate $400, we're good to go for our livestream! If nine people donate $400, we fund the livestream, feed the band, and close the gap for staff payments. If many people donate $20-$100 it would help us tremendously!

This is a one-night-only event, but it's also the launch of a space that centers the healing power of music, supports songwriters creating for healing and joy, and invites all people to lift their voices in celebration!

$1200!!! 2 $600 donations, or 12 $100 donations. Or just one big donation!!! This is the bare minimum we need to bring you a high-quality livestream! This also allows us to record the show for later editing. Please help us reach our goal TODAY. We're 9 days away from the show and want to shift our energy completely toward the music and raising money for the ALS Association NC Chapter.

Of course, if we reach our goal of $16K or more, we have more flexibility and will donate all funds above production to the ALS Association NC Chapter. Please donate here or by Venmo LeLaina-Romero or CashApp $LeLainaRomero.

Get your tickets today! Livestream information will be available on our ticket site: https://solocantarshow.brownpapertickets.com/ AND on the Facebook event page: http://tinyurl.com/SoloCantarShow. You can give directly to the ALS Association NC Chapter here: https://donate.onecause.com/solocantar/home

JOY! We only have $1,425 to go to fund the livestream and focus our energy on music and raising funds for the ALS Association NC Chapter!!! We've adjusted the fundraising goals to reflect the following:

~Fully funding the livestream, which will help us reach a larger audience.
~Feeding our band delicious food from local Durham business Boricua Soul.
~Paying our event producer a fair wage
~Having a cushion for other expenses

While we would love to raise $25K to fully fund the recording and production of the EP album A Song Will Set Me Free: Songs from Sólo Cantar, the times that we are in have taught us to be flexible! So help us reach our fundraising goal today, and we will donate all funds above $16K raised to the ALS Association NC Chapter! You can also contribute via Venmo LeLaina-Romero or CashApp $LeLainaRomero

And don't forget those tickets!!! https://solocantarshow.brownpapertickets.com/

If you're livestreaming, you'll get updates on how to access the show once you reserve your spot with the link above. If you would like to donate directly to the ALS Association NC Chapter in their fight to defeat this profoundly complex and devastating disease, click this link and share! https://donate.onecause.com/solocantar/home

Thanks to a recent donation we are only $1,795 away from covering the costs of the livestream and bringing this show to as many people as possible!!! This frees up 100% of our energy for music and raising funds for the ALS Association NC Chapter! Make that $2,300 and we can feed the band a couple of times, supporting a local business!!! Please donate today or send production support to LeLaina via Venmo LeLaina-Romero or CashApp $LeLainaRomero

Tickets are now on sale! Click the following link to purchase in-person tickets or stay updated on the livestream. You can use the QR Code here for folks to scan and visit the ticket site!

https://solocantarshow.brownpapertickets.com/

As we count down the days to the show, I’ve been reflecting on the vital role that music continues to play in my life. This show was conceived of almost five years ago, and is now so much more than one night. It’s become the realization of music and song as my healing medium. These words by Susan Cain touched me so deeply: "We are creatures who are born to transform pain into beauty." This is the work of artists in this world. Healing through song, poetry, dance…the arts cut to the core of our humanity.

Throughout the month as we get ready for the show, you will learn more about the songs I’ve written over the years, and what it took to get to this place of performing them for the first time. You’ll learn more about the musicians playing in the band. You’ll see the unveiling of our website, ticket sales, and more. You’ll learn more about ALS, the ALSA NC Chapter, and the lives of folks living with this disease and those who love them. You’ll learn more about the journey of sólo cantar space.

We’re so excited to see you on April 30th!!!

35 days until the show! We are getting so close to an evening of music, community, celebration, and healing! Please share the event page and fundraiser widely! Follow us on social media and RSVP to the Facebook event (http://tinyurl.com/SoloCantarShow) so you can receive updates in the next week, including:

- The unveiling of our website!
- Ticket sales for the live event in Durham
- Livestream link and instructions will be available in early to mid-April

More than 100 donors have donated close to $11,500 since we started raising funds in 2020. We have enough funds to run the show, and we would like to hit our $25K goal to bring the show to anyone who wants to attend via livestream, pay our staff, and start sending as much money as possible to the ALS Association NC Chapter!

And if you're in the Triangle Area in NC, please join us for the Walk to Defeat ALS on Saturday April 23rd in Raleigh, a week before the show! This will give us an opportunity to promote the show locally. We will also be able to raise more funds to support people living with ALS in NC. Email or reach out on social media for more information. Take good care!

Hello, dear supporters! Our show is 43 days away, We’re SO MUCH CLOSER to reaching our financial goals that would allow us to share the show widely and create the best possible experience $9,100 to be exact!! Musicians and venue are covered. Now for the rest:

- All Music costs, including the sound recording sessions, so we can share the original songs by LeLaina that will be performed on April 30th.
- Paying staff that have been making this possible.
- Marketing & Advertising costs to support ticket sales - 100% of which will be donated to ALS NC chapter
- All costs related to our technical support (live-streaming, website design/hosting, Tech & Production teams)

We’re hard at work to make SÓLO CANTAR's first live show a special event. Check out all the exciting things our creative & tech teams are putting together! We've been:
- Arranging music for horns, vocals, and the band
- Working out tech details for sound and livestreaming
- Booking travel and accommodations for out-of-town performers/planning team
- Collaborating with local organizations for advertising/marketing/community support
- Printing invitations and marketing materials
- Getting an ALS Walk team together. If you're in the NC Triangle on April 23rd and want to join us, drop us a line!
- Planning the after party!**

**Speaking of the after party, we are seeking any in-kind donations for use of an OUTDOOR venue to host our after party immediately following April 30th’s show for approx. one and a half hours. We’re expecting approximately 75 attendees, so if you or someone you know can help, please let us know!

Actually, _ANY_ in-kind donations are appreciated. Maybe you know someone who can host our out-of-town performers for a few days. Or, perhaps you can underwrite the livestreaming costs. Our production team welcomes any and all ideas you might have on how you can help support bringing this show to life! Just give us a shout, we’re all ears!

Thanks so much! We can't wait to see you on April 30th.

We did it! We exceeded our goal for paying all musicians and the remainder on the venue by over $100!!!!! This show is OFFICIALLY happening. We will be celebrating one person's life, and the healing power of music for all of us. So, what's next?

Let's raise another $5K!

~We need to pay for livestreaming costs which are estimated to be at least $1,200. Given that fewer folks are going to in-person events, this is important. Plus, it means that YOU can tune into the show, even if you don't live anywhere near NC!

~We need to pay our fabulous event producer, Jyvonne Haskin! We were able to hire her last year, but have not been able to pay her beyond the initial retainer and she's been working hard with LeLaina o bring this show together, using her many creative gifts!

~Anything we raise above production supports the ALS Association NC Chapter!

Thank you for your support! If you haven't already, please RSVP to the event: tinyurl.com/SoloCantarShow. Even if you can't make it in person, you can RSVP and invite others to the livestream!

And make sure you follow LeLaina and sólo cantar space on social media for more music and announcements!

YouTube: LeLaina Romero, singer / healer / songwriter
Facebook: @Sólocantar.space
Instagram: lelaina_singswritesheals AND solocantarspace
TikTok: @solocantar_lelaina

So excited! Thanks to recent donations, we only need to raise $448 more to pay all musicians, the DJ, and the balance for the venue!!!

But the fundraising doesn't stop there. We need to pay for livestreaming tech so that more people can access this, especially in these times. We want to bring musical JOY to as many people as we can! And we want to really focus on support the ALS Association, NC Chapter, especially as they get up for the Triangle Walk to Defeat ALS on Saturday, April 23rd, just one week before our show!

More from the musicians coming together for the show soon!

Great news! If we raise just $538.76, we can relax a bit. The entire band will be paid, and the remaining balance for the venue will be accounted for. That's producers, percussion, guitar, bass, piano, keyboard, horns, sound...

Remember, everything above production costs directly supports the ALS Association NC Chapter! We are keeping our goal higher for livestreaming equipment, recording, publicity, food, and last minute expenses. Let's do this!

The setlist is complete, and we are counting down the days until the show on April 30th in Durham! You can now RSVP to our event on Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/SoloCantarShow

Stay tuned for updates including ticket sales, livestreaming information, and more incredible musicians. Remember, every dollar that you donate supports live music, musicians of color, and everything beyond production will be donated to the ALS Association NC Chapter.

This show will be filled with joy and so much heart. Please share widely and support us today!

Beloved supporters, we raised over $10,000 between 2020 and 2021 as we navigated a pandemic and rescheduled the show!!! In the meantime, the ALS Association NC chapter continued its vital work supporting people living with ALS through its clinics, support groups, equipment loan closet, research, and more. Plus, our team has been writing and arranging songs, recording, and more to move us toward the April 30th event and the EP release!

We need to raise a total of $25,000 by April to ensure that we can cover production and recording expenses, pay staff and musicians, and have a cushion that will help us continue supporting people living with ALS and those who love them. All funds beyond production, including ticket sales for the April 30th show, support the ALS Association, NC Chapter.

And if you haven't yet, I'd like to encourage you to subscribe to LeLaina's YouTube channel. She's back to posting song seeds, chants, and more. Today, we celebrate what would have been her dad's 74th birthday, and LeLaina shared a song seed that came to her as she spent the day in mourning, remembrance, and celebration.

Remember, you can also donate via Venmo @LeLaina-Romero, Cash App $LeLainaRomero, or https://www.paypal.me/lelainaR. Or contact LeLaina directly to use Zelle or mail a check (write sólo cantar in the memo).

WOW!!! We started the day needing to raise almost $1,000. Now, we are less than $250 away from our summer fundraising goal! 2 people can donate $125. 5 people can donate $50. 10 people can donate $25. So close!

Let me tell you why we want to surpass our $10K goal. We estimate $10K to be about 50% of production for the show and EP album. We've booked the venue and hired producers and bandleaders. We have a fabulous event producer and DJ. We are on our way to building a great website where people can connect and get timely info.

We still need to hire the band, pay the remainder on the venue, promote promote promote, feed people, and more. We're hoping for some in kind donations, so if you know a local Durham NC business that can help with food, printing, publicity, let us know!

The biggest reason to exceed this $10K goal is that every dollar above production goes directly to the ALS Association, NC Chapter, supporting people living with ALS and those who love and care for them. A portion of those funds go to research to treat and cure this disease. ALS is progressive and fatal. Everyone has been struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, and those who are chronically and terminally ill have been impacted greatly.

Let's create an evening of celebration and music and community beyond April 30th, 2022. Stay tuned for more musical joy!!!

Friends, today is the last day of summer!! Help us raise over $924 to exceed our summer fundraising goal.

That's 4 people donating $231 or
20 people donating $46.20 or
50 people donating $18.48

Let's pay these incredible Black and Brown musicians so we can dig into this music, celebrate the healing power of music, and support The ALS Association North Carolina Chapter!

You can also donate via Venmo @LeLaina-Romero, Cash App $LeLainaRomero, or https://www.paypal.me/lelainaR. Or contact me directly to use Zelle or mail a check (write sólo cantar in the memo).

Our most recent donation came from a beloved of a beloved...sharing the musical joy, the possibility, the intangible gifts that music pours out is how this show will happen, and how this space is being created.

To dive deep into the music and bring you not just a show, but an experience of collective celebration, release, and more, we are working to exceed our $10K end of summer goal. The Fall Equinox approaches- September 22nd around 3pm Eastern time. Can you share this fundraiser or donate today to help us raise over $10,000, pay Black and Brown musicians, and kick off Sólo Cantar space, which will keep giving gifts as we collectively nurture it? Like these late summer flowers and the butterfly carrying nectar and pollen pictured here.

LeLaina took this photo in Tucker, Georgia, close to her new home. If you saw our last update, you know that there are so many powerful actions we can take if we exceed our fundraising goal. Another of these is bringing more of the healing power of music to other cities, like Atlanta where LeLaina and her family live now! And of course, to all of you in virtual ways. Thank goodness for those in these times. We hope to see you in Durham on April 30th, 2022, where we will raise much needed funds for the ALS Association, NC Chapter.

You can also donate via Venmo @LeLaina-Romero, Cash App $LeLainaRomero, or https://www.paypal.me/lelainaR. Or contact LeLaina directly to use Zelle or mail a check (write sólo cantar in the memo).

Help us exceed our $10K summer fundraising goal in the next week!

As of today, we have $1,549 to go to meet our summer fundraising goal! Do you think we can exceed our goal by $1,000? $5,000???

This is what we could do if we exceed $10K:

1. Record the EP album "A Song Will Set Me Free: Songs from Sólo Cantar" this fall, and have it mixed and mastered and ready for distribution in the spring! This will help us promote the show, and get tracks in your ears!

2. We would be more than halfway to raising our total production funds so we can focus on the music for the show!

3. We can PAY BLACK AND BROWN MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS!

4. We can focus on local collaborations in ways that bring support and joy where they’re needed.

5. We will be closer to raising much needed funds for the ALS Association NC Chapter! All money that goes beyond our production needs helps folks living with ALS and their families!

Thanks so much. Make sure you subscribe to LeLaina's YouTube channel: https://tinyurl.com/lelainaR. More healing chants and songs are coming! Gracias por apoyar a este espacio de música, celebración, y sanación.