Fundraiser concert in Washington on Thursday

WASHINGTON — A father and daughter from Washington have planned a holiday concert and singalong Thursday night in Washington, which will donate proceeds to the Lighthouse Center.

Emily Jewell, the vocalist for the evening, is a musical theater performer in New York City who grew up in Washington. She said the holidays presented a chance to host a community event in her hometown.

“Every year when I come home, people are asking if I’m going to sing or anything, and I really thought Christmas would be a lovely opportunity to give back to the community,” she said.

The performance will feature numerous holiday songs, some of them as onstage performances, others as audience-involving singalongs. Jewell said the show would feature herself, her father Mike Jewell on piano, and members of a disbanded local choir group called the Washington Choral Society.

Admittance is pay-what-you-can with a recommended price of $20 to get in the door. Proceeds, beyond the cost of production, will go to the Lighthouse Center in Washington, a nonprofit Jewell said she was proud to support.

“Living in New York City, we have a giant houseless population, and it is a cause that is near and dear to my heart, I feel like it effects a lot of my neighbors,” she said. “I wanted to kind of bring that energy back home with me, and I know the light house has been in need and a lot of people have been utilizing it, so I wanted to be able to give back.”

The concert is scheduled at 7 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Dec. 21.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com