Carol Stein Credit: Photo by Missy Meyer, courtesy of the artist
While the government at large has been a dud about helping artists crushed by the pandemic, the homegrown Greater Orlando Performing Arts Relief (GOPAR) formed over the summer to help provide local, on-the-ground and immediate aid to our sizable community of performers.
Credit: via GOPAR Twitter
To help them in their noble and needed mission, the Christmas Box Social is a downtown holiday benefit concert — organized by artists for artists — whose proceeds will go directly to GOPAR. It happens on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. on Mad Cow Theatre’s “Holiday on Church Street” stage. 

The lineup features Andrea Halperin, Lea Marinelli, Melissa Minyard, DaVonda Simmons, David Almeida, Preston Ellis, Nathan Meyer, Zach Nadolski, Ray Christianna, Paolo Tursi and the irrepressible Carol Stein, who gave us holiday delight several years ago at Timucua.

The distanced, outdoor show is a pay-what-you-can event with restricted capacity. You’re allowed to bring your own snacks so please give a little more. Just make reservations via email to christmasboxsocial@gmail.com.

Or, if you’re still not comfortable venturing out unnecessarily, you can watch it on Facebook Live and donate from the safety and comfort of home. Take in some holiday cheer and make a difference.

Follow Bao on Twitter (@baolehuu)
Email Bao: baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com

_
Please follow CDC guidelines and Orange County advisories to stay safe, and please support this free publication. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you news on how coronavirus is affecting Central Florida. Please consider making a one-time or monthly donation. Every little bit helps.

Related Stories

This article appears in Dec 9-15, 2020.

Music columnist.