(forwarded from Yosifah Rose):

Hello to my fellow members of the Belly Dance community,

I just spoke to Mary Ellen Donald. She is very sick and will be having surgery for ovarian cancer next Friday. She has asked that those of you who are concerned for her please support her through the benefit concert that the Lammam brothers will be having for her on SUNDAY, AUGUST 29th at 3 p.m.
(Details to be announced by early next week.)

Mary Ellen Donald is a renown Middle Eastern Percussionist, and she has given so much to all of us in the greater Bay Area Middle Eastern Dance community through her music and love of life and dance. Mary Ellen supports herself entirely through her music: through her teaching and regular gigs at the Amira Restaurant. As she recovers from her major surgery in the next couple of months, she will be unable to teach or perform, therefore, this benefit concert is of extreme importance to her immediate financial security. Please keep August 29th open on your calendar for Mary Ellen.

Details of the benefit will be posted soon on her website:
www.maryellendonald.com If you are unable to attend the benefit, please consider purchasing tickets anyway to give your support Mary Ellen at this very difficult time.

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Benefit Concert for Mary Ellen Donald

The Lammam Brothers are giving a benefit concert.
Sunday, August 29, 2004 at 3:00 pm
Location and details to be announced.
www.maryellendonald.com
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...apologies if you have received this as a duplicate posting, or if you have already received word of this from another source.