Community support makes Heart by Heart: Donations keep chamber concert series going at Lake Tye Park

It was the perfect finale to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce Music in the Park summer series ' the sun was shining and the beer garden was packed, as approximately 1,000 residents of Monroe and the greater Sky Valley area kicked off their shoes and danced.

The hard-fought Heart by Heart show took place on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Lake Tye Park in Monroe, after nearly being cancelled due to a lack of sponsorship.

When Monroe Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Una Wirkebau learned on Friday, Aug. 14, that her business sponsor would be unable to fund the performance due to a family emergency, she briefly considered cancelling the event.

But she quickly regrouped and decided to give it one last shot. She embarked on an aggressive social media campaign to raise the $4,000 needed to fun the show, creating a GoFundMe page and using social media to promote the campaign.

The donations poured in. By Sunday, Aug. 16, she had raised nearly half the $4,000 goal. She continued to push the campaign, encouraging residents to forgo their lattes and use that money to help fund the concert. Things began looking bleak on Wednesday, Aug. 19. She was still more than $1,500 short of the required amount.-á

It wasn't until Main Street Dentist Dr. Jeremy Johnson came forward with a $1,550 donation ' the remainder of the funding goal ' that the campaign concluded. Johnson's staff said that he was happy to help ensure the show could go on, and he frequently engages in community outreach.

Heart by Heart is a Seattle-based Heart tribute band that performs classic Heart songs from the 70s and 80s ' along with a few surprises. The band's all-star lineup includes two founding members of the band Heart; bassist Steve Fossen and original Heart drummer Mike Derosier, both of whom were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

The lineup also includes guitarists Lizzy Daymont and Randy Hansen, keyboard player Bob Rivers and vocalist Somar Macek. Macek's iconic vocals were so reminiscent of original Heart vocalist Ann Wilson that one concertgoer thought they might be related.-á

Hanson dazzled attendees with his playful and energetic antics, playing guitar with his teeth and leaving the stage frequently to boost audience participation. Daymont joined in, often stealing the show with her simultaneous guitar licks and backup vocals. Daymont is a career musician who plays bass in the Seattle bands Pretty Enemy and Sway.

Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas attended the show with his wife, Lara, as did a few of the councilmembers.

"It's absolutely awesome having the community come together,GÇ¥ Thomas said. "Una and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce did a great job pulling this together.GÇ¥

Monroe Chamber of Commerce Operations Manager Shelley Nyhammer had to leave the show halfway through to pick up another keg for the beer garden, as the first one quickly ran dry. Jerry "Big DogGÇ¥ Dixon sold hotdogs nonstop for two hours before finally being able to emerge from his "HawkdogGÇ¥ truck, even earning a shout-out from Macek, Heart by Heart lead singer.

Numerous others came forward to help facilitate the show, including Walmart co-manager Ben Allen, Evergreen Speedway Managers Doug and Traci Hobbs and former Monroe Planning Commissioner Dave Demarest.

"What a great night,GÇ¥ Demarest said. "I love when people are having a good time, I really do.GÇ¥

After the show, band members lingered for photos and further audience interaction. As she was leaving the stage, Macek encouraged the young attendees to pursue their musical aspirations, as they are needed to carry the art form forward.

Thomas said he and his wife thoroughly enjoyed the show.

"That was an absolutely awesome concert,GÇ¥ he said. "That just rocked.GÇ¥