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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Local talent benefits national need


Evalyn Coutts, center, coordinator for North Idaho ARK (Assistance Recovery with Kindness) held a meeting at Greenbriar Inn Catering in Coeur d'Alene on Monday about the benefit concert to be held at North Idaho College on Thursday night for hurricane Katrina victims. 
 (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

Artists, business people and politicians are coming together Thursday for a concert to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina.

“A lot of money has been donated, but a lot more money is going to be needed,” said Jeanette Dunn, a member of the nonprofit North Idaho ARK (Assistance Recovery with Kindness), which formed after the hurricane wreaked havoc along the Gulf Coast. “It’s going to take a while to rebuild.”

Proceeds from the three-hour concert, to be held at North Idaho College, will be shared equally among Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. Those organizations will also have booths at the event to take donations.

The Coeur d’Alene City Council, at its meeting on Thursday, will proclaim Thursday North Idaho ARK Day.

Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne is scheduled to open the concert. The 17 local performers range from pianist Brian Crain to 13-year-old singer Lexi Lehman to humorist Hilma Volk.

In addition to artists donating their time, local businesses have underwritten the show, said John Coutts, chairman of North Idaho ARK. “It has brought the community together,” Coutts said, “and that was one of our aims.”

Another goal is to fill the 1,300-seat Schuler Auditorium. “We want the performers to play to a full house,” Coutts said. “They all pledged to give the best performances of their life.”

Tickets are available at the NIC ticket office and will be sold at the event for $20, or $10 for students.