Ron Livingston, All-Star Cast to Hold Derecho Relief Concert

As people continue to recover from the August 10th derecho that leveled many communities in Eastern Iowa, a group of actors, singers, and performers are joining together to raise money to help in the relief effort. The Iowa Concert of Hope will be held on Thursday October 1st at 7 p.m. The event can be seen locally on KCRG Channel 9.2, or on the website IowaHope.com.

The event will feature performances from national and local talent, and many of the performers have roots here in Iowa. The concert will feature an introduction from actor and Marion, Iowa native Ron Livingston. Livingston has had memorable roles in films like Office Space, Swingers, A Million Little Things, and Band of Brothers. KCRG TV News Anchor Beth Malicki will host the event.

Other performers on Thursday night will include Larry Gatlin, Edwin McCain, jazz great Chris Brubeck, Tony Award winner Betty Buckley, Tony Award winner Trent Kowalik, Linda Eder, Tim Shew, Elena Shaddow, and Drama Desk Award winner Janet Dacal. Performers with Iowa ties include Kevin Worley, Christopher Johnstone, Jim McDonough, Alisabeth Von Presley, and many more.

The concert will serve as a fundraiser for many derecho related charities including the Iowa Derecho Resource Center, The Iowa Giving Crew, and the Disaster Fund of the United Way of East Central Iowa. For more information on Thursday night's concert, and on ways to help visit IowaHope.com.