Buffalo Music: Fundraiser on Oct. 25 will celebrate women’s voices

By Charlie Bergeron

Ida Goeckel, the organizer of Female Musicians Fighting Breast Cancer, is a survivor. Goeckel has beaten breast cancer twice, being diagnosed for the first time in 2003. After nine years of being cancer free she was diagnosed with another form of breast cancer in 2012.

And for the past 23 years she’s been fighting cancer for other women as well, putting together her annual fundraiser featuring some of Western New York’s best women musicians. This year’s event is Sunday at the Sportsmen’s Tavern from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

This benefit promotes themes of self advocacy and being aware and educated throughout one’s (particularly those with breast cancer) cancer treatments. All proceeds go toward Roswell Park’s 11 Day Power Play Resource Center, which is an educational support facility located on the grounds of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo.

Because of Goeckel’s genealogical history, as well as her history with cancer, she has received further preventative surgeries, as well as annual monitoring for new cancer. As of today, Goeckel is cancer free.

She is adamant on is advocating for one’s self. That is a theme she promotes through the Female Musicians Fighting Breast Cancer Benefit.

“I never tell people what they shouldn’t do,” Goeckel said, “Everybody is different. But, know what you’re talking about, know your body, know what you’re looking for.”

The 11 Day Power Play Resource Center was an asset to Goeckel after her diagnosis, giving her resources about her own diagnosis and further possible genetic predispositions.

With Goeckel herself being a musician in the Buffalo music scene, of course this is a benefit show, with all female-fronted bands performing.

There will be a variety of genres from the four acts on the bill. Each features female vocalists.

The performers (as detailed on the event website) include The Vandals, who will play an “eclectic” collection of songs with Alyssa Diez as the vocalist; Ion Sky, a rock band featuring guitarist/vocalist Tara Graves; SOS (Sisters of Song), who have a more jazz/blues vibe with vocalists Donna Rose and Buffalo Music Hall of Famer Dolly Dee; and lastly, Soul Street, a pop/rock/soul group with vocalist Angela Ziegler.

Last years FMFBC Benefit raised the most money yet, with their donation to Roswell Park’s 11 Day Power Play Resource Center being over $8,000. Cumulatively through the 22 past benefits, approximately $78,000 has been donated.

“Every year for the past few years, our goal has been $10,000,” Goeckel said, “But we haven’t hit it … yet.”

Tickets are $10 for both pre-sale and at the door.

The event has been held at the Sportsmen’s Tavern since 2015.

“(They’re) a phenomenal group of people to work with,” Goeckel said.

There will be a raffle basket during the event as well, which includes prizes from many local businesses including music stores.

You can purchase pre-sale tickets at: https://events.leapevents.com/event/a23rd-female-musicians-fighting-breast-cancer