Virtual Benefit Concert to Showcase Community Support for Health

NOVATO, Calif. (October 27, 2020) – Who doesn’t want to be recognized for a job well done? For local healthcare heroes who have been working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s especially important to know that the hard work that goes into caring for the community is appreciated.

To encourage and highlight the community’s connection to and support for its healthcare heroes, Novato Community Hospital and Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation—in partnership with HopMonk Novato—are presenting a virtual benefit concert, honoring all amazing North Bay healthcare heroes for their commitment, courage and professionalism during the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 wildfires. This special event will air on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. via the YouTube viewing link here and on Comcast Channel 26 in Novato and channel 99 for AT&T U-verse customers.

Local musical talent to provide “oohs and aahs”

The show will feature accomplished musicians living in Marin/North Bay communities, many of whom have played with music legends. Artists include:

• Lilian Kane featuring James Harman
• Tony Saunders & Friends (Greg Rahn, John Wheeler, Steve Trovao)
• Joni DeGabriele, educator/performing artist
• Jerry Hannan, The Jerry Hannan Band
• Rob Sundberg, Black Cat Bone
• Dan Durkin, Django Bayless & Monroe Grisman, Petty Theft

These local musicians are recording songs in advance that will be edited together into a concert “broadcast” and streamed for audiences to enjoy.

“I am proud to participate in an event that gives back to the wonderful doctors and nurses that have helped save so many lives. As a Marin resident for many years, I’m glad to add the music that’s in my heart to bring smiles to people’s faces. I encourage residents across the North Bay to tune in on November 19,” says musician Tony Saunders.

Connecting the community with local healthcare heroes

The event’s purpose is to honor Sutter Health’s North Bay healthcare heroes while providing community members with an experience that allows them to feel a part of the mission of Novato Community Hospital and Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation.

“This is a great way to further build an authentic connection between the community and our patient care teams who are keeping community members safe. We want our staff to walk away feeling like the community has their back. People are grateful that there’s this gem of a hospital in their community, and this virtual event is an opportunity for them to show their appreciation for the front-line healthcare staff working hard to safeguard the health and safety of everyone we serve during this pandemic,” says Novato Community Hospital’s Chief Administrator Shannon Thomas.

“On behalf of HopMonk Presents and the entire staff at HopMonk Novato, we’re delighted to express our gratitude to Novato’s community of healthcare heroes for their courage and stewardship during these unprecedented times. We are excited to have had music in the Session Room again after such a long break, especially given the cause. The level of musicianship is outstanding, and the production crew is topnotch. Music is our favorite binder; with a fresh beer of course. We hope you enjoy the production,” says Bill DeCarli, director of music for HopMonk Presents.

Funds for improvements, words from leaders present & past

All gifts received during the broadcast are earmarked for Novato Community Hospital’s 20th anniversary campaign in 2021, part of which will fund work to beautify the hospital and improve the overall experience for staff, patients and families.

During the broadcast, Shannon Thomas will kick things off, and comments from staff, donors and community members will be interspersed throughout. Notably, Lowell Smith—the original hospital administrator of NCH, who recently turned 89—and his wife Marilyn will be interviewed.

Here’s to future (live) music!

The ultimate goal of the broadcast—after restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic are lifted or lightened—is to create a live, in-person annual music celebration in the North Bay that can be enjoyed for years to come. Make sure to tune in on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. Use this link to access the broadcast (through YouTube): sutterhealth.org/novato-gratitude. The program will also broadcast on Comcast Channel 26 in Novato and channel 99 for AT&T U-verse customers.

About Novato Community Hospital

Novato Community Hospital, part of the Sutter Health not-for-profit integrated network of care, provides 24-hour emergency care, inpatient and outpatient surgery, critical care, imaging services, laboratory services, and a physical therapy and sports fitness center. In addition to general surgery, the community hospital specializes in orthopedic surgery and total joint replacement, including hands, hips, shoulders and knees. For more information, please visit https://www.sutterhealth.org/novato.

About HopMonk Taverns

HopMonk serves fresh, seasonal and small batch beers (classic and not-so) from local, regional and international brewing colleagues, with over a 100 offerings any day of the week. HopMonk’s music venues have hosted an amazing range of shows by Steve Kimock, Sean Hayes, Bob Schneider, Jackie Greene, Leon Russell, Les Claypool, David Grisman, Citizen Cope, Michael Rose and Elvin Bishop, and groups like Cracker, The Meat Puppets, The Mother Hips, Tea Leaf Green, Jefferson Starship, Little Feat, English Beat and The New Mastersounds. The Abbey at HopMonk Tavern Sebastopol has been voted Sonoma County’s ‘Best Music Venue’ for eight years running and features live music nearly every night of the year. Dean Biersch is a co-founder of the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group and Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, established in 1988.