Benefit Concert Held In DC for Myanmar Cyclone Victims

DC area residents got the opportunity to pitch in and contribute to the disaster relief effort for the Myanmar cyclone victims and listen to some good music at the same time.

The Rock and Roll Hotel, in the 1300 block of H St.,NE, hosted Sunday night's benefit concert. The event was organized by Dee Dee Gorcelski of XM Satellite Radio. Dee Dee tells 9 News Now that she was stuck in traffic less than two weeks ago thinking about some of her problems. But she realized these were nothing compared to what the Myanmar victims were suffering. She had an "overwhelming urge to do something!"

Sunday's night's concert was broadcast live on XM and WorldSpace. In addition, many of Sunday night's performances, from artists including Shane Hines and Kirsten Price, will be recorded and played during the coming week.

A special performance was given by 10-year-old Michaela Thurlow. The Los Angeles fourth-grader sang "Wave of Relief," a song written for her when she wanted to help the tsunami victims in Southeast Asia in December 2004. In first-grade at the time, Michaela raised $3,000 for relief efforts.

Michaela tells 9 News Now she's going to sing her "heart out" Sunday night at the Rock and Roll Hotel.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the Myanmar disaster relief effort can go to Redcross.org and click on the link for International Disaster Relief.