Listen to Music, Help Japan

Following the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan on Thursday night, Belmont is helping the devastated country is more ways than one.

's Department of Music and Vocal Arts has announced all proceeds from the next two concerts this month will go to the tsunami/earthquake relief in Japan.

“Amidst the devastation in Japan and other places affected by the earthquake and the tsunamis, we find good in our ability to reach out to the victims by raising money with our talents,” Debra Lambert, chair of the Department of Music and Vocal Arts, said in a statement.

“Concertgoers can expect to have a good time at these upcoming performances, but more importantly their presence will help make a difference for the people of Japan,” she said.

The first concert is on Sunday, March 20 at 3 p.m. in the Ralston Hall Ballroom. This concert, “Profondo Delights and Laments,” features NDNU faculty members Gregory Stapp, bass and Daniel Lockert, pianist, both internationally acclaimed artists. They will present a program of songs highlighting the basso profondo voice, as well as a selection of solo piano pieces.

The second concert is on Monday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m., also in the Ralston Hall Ballroom. Students and faculty from the Department will present a variety of scenes from the breadth of the operatic repertoire.

Tickets are $20 general admission, $10 students and seniors. Additional donations toward earthquake and tsunami relief will be accepted.

The Ralston Hall Mansion is located on NDNU’s campus at 1500 Ralston Ave. in Belmont. For more information regarding the programs and tickets, please call (650) 508-3729 or e-mail concerts@ndnu.edu.

The Belmont Rotary Club has also announced the local Rotary Clubs in District 5150 which covers San Mateo, San Francisco and Marin counties, are accepting donations for the earthquake victims in Japan.

"With events such as in Japan all funds or goods are given direct to the local Rotary Clubs in Japan, and these clubs will administer the distribution of the funds or the goods, once again with no administrative costs," said Fred West of the Belmont Rotary Club.

Those who wish to donate through the Rotary Club may make checks payable to The Foundation of the Rotary Club of Belmont, which is a 501 (3) C Charitable Organization as determined by the IRS Tax ID# 94-304997.

The mailing address is: P.O. Box 448, Belmont, CA 94002. Please mark checks Japan Earthquake Relief. A tax receipt will be issued upon request.

The Red Cross has set up a fund for Bay Area residents to donate to the disaster response effort as well.

Those wishing to donate can visit the organization's website at www.redcrossbayarea.org or call (888) 4-HELP-BAY.

The Salvation Army, which has nearly 1,000 employees working throughout Japan, is also seeking donations for the response.

To donate, visit the organization's website at www.salvationarmyusa.org, call (800) SAL-ARMY, or text the word "Quake" or "Japan" to 80888 to donate $10.