Expatica Germany previews an upcoming benefit concert and the woman who made it possible.

When Amy Antin first began her annual benefit, "Amy Antin’s Room for Peace," she chose a charity to donate the profits from the concert. The problem was, she couldn't get the proceeds to the people who they were intended for. She turned to friends who run an organisation that helps children’s hospitals in Afghanistan and where she knew the money would get through.

"I come from the Woodstock generation that believes music should serve something," said Antin. "I didn’t want the money to go toward paying for a coffee machine in some charity office. I wanted it to go directly to where it is needed."

Every year, the American singer/songwriter throws this benefit concert to highlight the plight of suffering children in Afghanistan. It is usually held early in the year at the well-known Cologne venue, Stadtgarten. This year the concert will take place on Feb. 7.

The show will feature 13 acts, including Expatica's own resident blogger, Richard Dooley – in whose column "Sitting with Amy" the singer appeared. The performers, mostly German singer/songwriters, will play a diverse selection of songs ranging from hip-hop to jazz for an audience of 300.

"I have always been someone who feels it important to support not only my own songs but those of my colleagues as well," said Antin. "That is true especially here in Germany where songwriters often feel they must take second place to the American music industry."

Amy, who has a PhD in English literature, was once a professor working in New York before she decided to become a full-time musician and pursue her passion for writing songs.

"I knew my family would think I was crazy, so I decided to move abroad and start a new in another country," said Antin.

Already familiar with Europe after having spent 5 years in France, she decided to try her luck in Germany for a few years where she had some friends who were well-known jazz artists. The few years turned into 16 years.

"I like Germany and it's people, they have depth and I feel very comfortable with them," said Antin.

And she started performing regularly.

Eight years have passed since "Amy Antin's Room" first started. It began as a series of performances that were presented once a month, showcasing two new singer/songwriters per show. But soon Antin says it became overwhelming.

"I felt like I was neglecting my own career as a singer/songwriter," said Antin. "Stadtgarten offered me the opportunity to do 'room' on a new basis, a less frequent but larger event, so I decided to take them up on the offer."

Amy changed the title of the event from, "Amy Antin's Room" to "Room for Peace" and the benefit concert was born.

Even though the proceeds of the first concerts Antin hosted were not donated to charity, she eventually realized that she wanted to help a worthy cause through her music.

"As an American, I feel quite confident in the power and importance of the song, its ability to change lives and assist in making this a better world," she said.

The concert, which is played to a full house every year, grosses up to 1,000 euros ($1,500). And the charity she chose was Aladdin's Children, a foundation that provides funding for a children's hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. The money goes toward supplying critical medical supplies for the children affected by the war.

Antin has no particular political interest in Afghanistan but said that feels pulled toward "any country where there are suffering children."

"Amy Antin's Room for Peace" will be taking place on Feb. 7, at the Cologne Stadtgarten venue at 8.30 p.m. Tickets are 18 euros at the door, 15 euros in advance. See www.stadtgarten.de.

For more information on Amy Antin, including some of her songs, see www.amyantin.de.

Louise Osborne

30 January 2008

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