Music Unites Celebrates: One Year Anniversary

Monday, May 17th: The rooftop penthouse suite of the Cooper Union Hotel provided the perfect locale for a great party with an even greater mission on Monday night. Music Unites is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for all genres and styles of music to be played and heard throughout New York. Celebrating its One Year Anniversary in a major way, Music Unites' focus was geared toward raising funds and awareness for the Music Unites Youth Choir- an after school program for high school students.

Monday's event was definitely a successful one-two punch. Not only was it Music Unites' birthday, but also that of Founder and Executive Director Michelle Edgar. Panoramic views of twinkling city lights, a fully stocked bar from sponsors Arizona Beverage Company and Double Cross Vodka (with bottled extras chilled in the tub/makeshift cooler) and throngs of the well dressed sipping mixed drinks, made for a relaxingly cool atmosphere.

Music Unites knows a thing or two about good music, and they definitely brought in a talented group of musicians to fortify their mission: bridging the gap between the emerging artist and his audience through performance and exposure. Live music from Tamarama, Jaicko, Niia, Matt White, Rachel Platten, Maino, As Tall As Lions, and DJ DL- got the crowd bopping their heads and moving their feet.

I have to say, I was particularly impressed with the musical styling of Niia. She has a voice reminiscent to the old school jazz songbirds, yet with a contemporary edge. Loved her song Learn My Body, and when her debut album comes out, it will happily find a home in my i-pod.

Raffle tickets, cool graphic tees, and a donation bin, added additional funding to benefit MUYC along with other underfunded school programs lacking music education. As a person who is a firm believer in the arts and the importance it holds in our society, a non-profit like Music Unites is a new favorite of mine.