Chris Pierce [Lineage Dance]
“We’ve all been kind of paralyzed with sadness and the desire to try and help everybody who has lost so much in our community,” said Hilary Thomas, artistic director of Lineage Performing Arts Center.
Thomas said that Pierce, who has collaborated with Lineage since 2007, reached out about supporting fire victims.
Pierce attended St. Marks as a child. The Altadena church was destroyed i the Eaton Fire.
“I’ve been doing work with Lineage for almost 20 years. Collaborating with them is always a soulful and uplifting experience,” Pierce said. “Hilary Thomas and I were both raised in Pasadena. I went to St. Marks school and church in Altadena from Pre-School until the 5th Grade and that is where I discovered a love for music and the importance of service and compassion. This benefit is a wonderful opportunity to come together and try to help the community.”
Pierce’s musical journey, too, has been fraught with significant personal challenges.
“When I was a teenager, I began drastically losing my hearing. I was diagnosed with Otosclerosis, a rare hereditary hearing disorder. My heart was broken, my soul was in crisis. I dreamt of sounds and visualized musical compositions in hopes that miraculously I’d wake up and be able to hear again. Thankfully, through the support of family and the community, I was able to have surgery on my right ear and get some of my hearing back.”
Pierce looks forward to performing Monday.
“My longstanding collaboration with Lineage has been a wonderful journey,” Pierce said. “For me, it’s kept me connected to the community where I was born and raised and has given me a chance to share my original songs and ideas with the community. Some of the most memorable shows that I’ve ever done have been with Lineage. It’s a beautiful blend of song and dance and a powerful way of processings pain, sharing joy, and facilitating connection with others.”
Beyond fundraising, Thomas explained that the event serves a deeper purpose: “I think it’s so important to provide spaces right now where people who have lost their homes or have been displaced can come together and experience art and joy and connection. And I’ve learned over these past couple of weeks that that’s what Lineage can really offer the community more so than clothing and money. We give them a safe space to just feel and experience some beauty together and connect.”
Lineage will follow this event with another benefit concert on February 22nd titled “Seasons of Love.” That show will feature professional musicians, vocalists, dancers, and actors who typically receive performance compensation but have volunteered their time so that as much money as possible can be raised. Thomas described the upcoming performance as “sharing stories of love, love of all kinds, love for children, family, love for our community, and also offering live music and dance,” with proceeds supporting the Pasadena Educational Foundation and the Waldorf School.
For tickets to the Chris Pierce concert, click here.
