Priest promises fundraiser will also be a fun-raiser

Those words, spoken by Rev. David Wm. Mickiewicz, administrator of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Delanson, refer to an upcoming musical event, but not at his parish and not one having anything to do with a liturgy.

Instead, Father Mickiewicz, an accomplished singer, will join Nancy Stone, the principal cantor at Temple Gates of Heaven in Schenectady, for an Oct. 26 fundraiser titled "FoolishHeart" to benefit Visions Gallery. Sponsored by the Albany Diocese, the Gallery highlights local sacred and religious artists.

Duet

He has also sung with the Burnt Hills Oratorio Society, the Capital Hill Chorale Society and Albany Pro Musica. He holds degrees in music from Saint Rose and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Together, Father Mickiewicz and Ms. Stone developed a music program that highlights their individual talents while combining songs from popular Broadway stage composers, such as George Gershwin and Stephen Sondheim. Over more than a decade, their program became popular with parishes, synagogues and church-related groups, such as the Knights of Columbus.

New program

"I have been a supporter of the Visions Gallery since it opened" in 1989, the priest explained. "I looked at this opportunity as a way to raise money for the Gallery in the hopes that it can generate some much-needed revenue. This new program we've put together has a 'cabaret' theme."

The evening will include selections from such composers as Julie Styne, Kurt Weill and Marc Blitzstein, all Depression-era songwriters.

"Some selections are from the musical 'The Cradle Will Rock,' which dealt with the rise of the trade unions in the 1930s," he continued. "We've also included some music from Bernstein, Mercer and Sondheim. There is some comic relief in the second half, and we've incorporated some readings in between the musical presentations. The program is one we are excited about."

The readings come from such artists as Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee. Father Mickiewicz said that interspersing the quotations helps to weave artistic ideas and beliefs of the time with the songs that he and Ms. Stone will perform. The result, he said, is a complete artistic and musical presentation of the era.

(In addition to the musical performance, the Gallery will host a silent auction of artwork. The donation is $14 per person, $100 for a table of eight. The presentation will be held Oct. 26, 8 p.m., at St. Pius X parish hall in Loudonville. For reservations, contact Betsy Rowe at 453-6670.)

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