Construct's Warm Up the Winter: Fuel Crisis 2024 Benefit Concert
Wanda Houston Band, Billy Keane, Matt Cusson, Jackson Whalan, Natalia Bernal, and Jason Ennis, the Interns, Jackson Ducharme, Andy Wrba, and Matt Steckler. With hosts Lauren Ambrose and Josh Irwin.

Thursday, March 7, Doors: 5:30 p.m., Concert: 7 p.m. (ticket does not guarantee a table)
The Egremont Barn, 17 Main Street, South Egremont, MA 01258
$50, limited tickets
Food and a full bar are available for purchase.

Concert venue contact: info@theegremontbarn.com, 413-528-1570
Campaign contact: ldavis@constructberkshires.org; 413.429.4433

Originating in 2008, The Warm Up the Winter campaign began as a benefit concert founded by Rabbi Deborah Zecher. Known as an entertaining, uplifting, and unifying showcase of diversified local talent, 2024’s two-hour-long benefit concert will take place at the Egremont Barn and will be hosted by Construct supporter Lauren Ambrose and Board Director Josh Irwin. Performers on the night include The Wanda Houston Band, The Interns, Billy Keene, Jackson Whalan, Matt Cusson, Andy Wrba, Matt Steckler, Natalia Bernal & Jason Ennis, and Jackson Ducharme.

All proceeds from the Warm Up the Winter fundraiser support those needing emergency assistance for fuel, utility, rental payments, and emergency accommodation in South Berkshire County. With the length of our waitlist reaching nearly 400 households and fuel and utility costs skyrocketing, the need this year is greater than ever. Warm Up the Winter continues to be among Construct's most critical and impactful fundraisers, and donations are encouraged anytime.

Warm Up the Winter is generously sponsored by The Gilson Family Foundation and Greylock Federal Credit Union with special thanks to fuel sponsor John B. Hull Inc.

The Bands
Wanda Houston, Andy Wrba, Matt Steckler, and will open with “Warm Up the Winter”, written by Joe Rose for Construct.

Wanda Houston Band is a dynamic quartet specializing in the music of the ’30s through ’70s with a blend of rhythm, blues, jazz, and soul. The band is: Wanda Houston, Vocals, Jeff Stevens, Trumpet & Vocals, Rob Kelly, Keyboard & Vocals, Jay Bradley, Drums

Billy Keane’s sound is a blending of neo-folk/Americana with indie rock and country and is inspired by his life, his listening, his belief that to be human means to experience the universe, our world, and its people, and to reflect all that back upon itself through artistic expression. He has shared stages with James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma, The Gin Blossoms, Blues Traveler, and many more.

Matt Cusson is a Grammy-nominated, multiple-award-winning singer, pianist, songwriter, producer, and arranger. In addition to recent tours with Christina Aguilera, Megan Hilty, Dave Koz, and India. Arie with Javier Colon, Matt has worked with many of the world’s biggest artists.

Jackson Ducharme is a 13-year-old Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) drawn to Elvis and his music at a very young age. He took first place in the youth division of Empire State Tribute Festival’s ETA contest and has been performing live solo and with a local group called Tommy T & Black Velvet for a little over a year.

Jackson Whalan, a recording artist and producer from Western Massachusetts, creates music to uplift and inspire listeners worldwide. He is known for his high-impact rapping, music production, beat-making, live performance, and collaboration. His live show contains thought-provoking songs, beats, and live instrumentation. The highlight is often when Jackson freestyle-raps topics from the crowd, which makes for an unforgettable experience.

Chilean vocalist Natalia Bernal was raised in the beautiful coastal city of Iquique, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Atacama Desert. Her sound embodies the drama and intensity of the natural surroundings of her homeland and is rich with musical tradition. She and guitarist Jason Ennis perform a captivating and diverse collection of songs from Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Peru, and Brazil.

The Interns: Founded in 2023 by veteran bassists and BHRSD orchestra teacher Matthew Schneider (Bass), the Interns is a jazz group whose mission is to offer young aspiring jazz musicians the opportunity to gain professional experience with a working band. Ben Gross (Drums) is a senior at Monument Mountain High School and is planning to pursue a degree in music education. Orson Handel (guitar) is a junior at Monument Mountain High School and studies with teachers at Berklee School of Music and New England Conservatory.

Thank you to our Underwriters:
Jane Glaser
Richard Glaser
Fairview Hospital
Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires
Eric and Laura Jordahl
Barbara and Roger Manring
Judi and Alan Marash
Tristan Osgood
Susan and Robert Plotz
The Schnesel Family Fund

Donations can be made online at https://constructberkshires.org/wutw/, by calling Construct’s Development Office at (413) 429-4433, or by mailing a check to made out to Construct with “Warm Up the Winter” in the memo. Construct’s mailing address is 316A State Road, Great Barrington, MA, 01230.

More information is available on Construct’s website at https://constructberkshires.org/ and on Construct’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ConstructInc