More than a dozen female musicians unite to help women in need with "Songs for Esperanza," a benefit for Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families.

Sherry Taylor, executive director of Esperanza, says events like "Songs for Esperanza" keep the shelter and its services going.

"A good portion of our donations come from people doing fundraisers for us and just creating events," Taylor tells SFR. "It's people who care and who just happen to be in the music industry getting together, and it's just amazing. It's really great what the community does."

With such help, Esperanza has been around for 35 years.

"People know who we are and what we do and we have a really solid reputation for our ethics and for being involved in the education of the whole community," Taylor says. "But I'm still really amazed when people just walk through the door saying, 'We were thinking about you and we did something about it.' "

Latin folk singer Nacha Mendez, R&B/soul artist Jen Rund, bassist Susan Hyde-Holmes, mariachi group Mariachi Buenaventura, country singer Paula "Little Bird" McDonald, rocker Cristen Grey, folk artist Bonnie Hearne, gospel singer-songwriter Lydia Clark, southern rock singer Felecia Ford, soulful pop artist Teri Lynn Browning, Sister Mary Evans, Anita Broughton, Margaret Burke, Kathleen Campbell, Lea Morales and Michele Leidig are among the vast and eclectic array of female musical talents performing throughout the evening.

In addition to cash, donations of towels, coats and other basic necessities for those living in shelters are welcome.


Songs for Esperanza

5-10 pm
Sunday, March 20

$10 minimum donation

Tiny's Restaurant and Lounge
1015 Pen Road
983-9817