The Island community has begun rallying to help Sabrina Luening, a well-known musician who was airlifted to Boston two weeks ago after suffering a stroke. A benefit concert will be held at the Cardboard Box in Oak Bluffs on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Doors will open at 4 p.m. and remain open through last call.
Known on the Island for her strong and soulful voice, Ms. Luening has covered musicians such as Etta James, Amy Winehouse and Al Green for more than 30 years.
“She has an amazing voice, she’s been playing music here for decades,” said Ben DeForest, owner of the Cardboard Box and a longtime friend. “She comes from an Island family, and this community is very good about circling around people that need this kind of help.”
The night will feature a series of the local musicians, many of whom have shared a stage with Ms. Luening. The Edbury Allstars, Willy Mason, Missus Biskus, Pickpocket and others are on the list. There will also be a silent auction, with items such as a fishing charter, Celtics tickets, free dinners from Island restaurants and local artworks up for bid.
Mr. DeForest also launched a GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $10,000 of a $25,000 goal. All the funds raised will go toward the family to support Ms. Luening’s medical costs and her 15-year old daughter, Ella.
Ms. Luening’s longtime bandmate, Don Groover, who is hosting the benefit along with Mr. DeForest, spoke to the Gazette from the standby line — where he awaited a ferry for the first leg of his journey to visit Ms. Luening and her family at the hospital in Boston.
“She has a wide-ranging voice and audience,” he said. “Older folks love her, younger folks love her. . . Everyone is coming out to support.”
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