Soulfull Benefit Concert
About the Artists
Tara Chugh is a musical storyteller from Tacoma. Her music has a unique eclectic blend of contemporary classical, cinematic, and alternative styles. Growing up, she had a speech impediment that led her to keep to herself, blend in the background, and to not stand up for herself. Her storytelling writing and powerful vocals tell a story that hits deep to the core of who she is and where she came from. Tara is an official Recording Academy Member, GRAMMY U Mentor, Music Director, and Co-founder for Tacoma’s newest music organization, Momentum.
Tips: https://venmo.com/u/tarachugh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarachugh/
Victoria Fragoso is a piano-based singer-songwriter from Tacoma, Washington. She draws inspiration from her Hispanic roots, classical piano training, church choir harmonies, and musical theater background. As a graduate of Chapman University's Creative Writing program and a lover of special effects makeup, Victoria uses her artistry and imagination to bring her music to life through online content and music videos. She also connects with other artists and music lovers through her weekly talk show "Tuesday with Toya," where she interviews independent artists.
Tips: https://venmo.com/u/fragogo
Instagram: https://instagram.com/toyamakesmusic
Michael Lauckner Thomas is a singer-songwriter, pianist, and composer from Tacoma. He draws inspiration from pop, folk, and film influences. Michael started piano lessons at 8 years old, and studied classical composition and music therapy in college. Michael reflects on life, love, and queerness through his sensitive piano accompaniment and emotive vocals. His latest single, ‘Show Up’ was released on August 30th, and Michael is currently recording his next album.
Tips: https://venmo.com/u/Mike-L-Thomas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlthomasmusic/
Karen Laura Peters is a musician whose sound is as grounded and natural as the landscapes she draws inspiration from. Whether she’s playing guitar or cello, or sharing her rich, warm vocals, her music feels like a reflection of her deep connection to the world around her. With her calming energy and genuine presence, Karen creates an inviting space where listeners can feel at home. As a singer-songwriter on both cello and guitar, Karen frequently collaborates with others and is a Co-Founder of the Tacoma, WA based music organization, Momentum.
Tips: https://venmo.com/u/karenlaurapeters
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaurapeters/
Kortney Dowdell is a proud Detroit native and has been playing the piano since the age of six, entirely self-taught. Known for his skill in musical placements, his talent for improvisation, and his dedication to mentoring and cultivating fellow artists, Kortney brings a unique passion and energy to every performance. We invite you to enjoy his music and experience the heart and soul of his journey. Please welcome Kortney Dowdell!
Tips: https://venmo.com/u/kortney-dowdell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kortney__dowdell/
Tips: https://venmo.com/u/tarachugh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarachugh/
Victoria Fragoso is a piano-based singer-songwriter from Tacoma, Washington. She draws inspiration from her Hispanic roots, classical piano training, church choir harmonies, and musical theater background. As a graduate of Chapman University's Creative Writing program and a lover of special effects makeup, Victoria uses her artistry and imagination to bring her music to life through online content and music videos. She also connects with other artists and music lovers through her weekly talk show "Tuesday with Toya," where she interviews independent artists.
Tips: https://venmo.com/u/fragogo
Instagram: https://instagram.com/toyamakesmusic
Michael Lauckner Thomas is a singer-songwriter, pianist, and composer from Tacoma. He draws inspiration from pop, folk, and film influences. Michael started piano lessons at 8 years old, and studied classical composition and music therapy in college. Michael reflects on life, love, and queerness through his sensitive piano accompaniment and emotive vocals. His latest single, ‘Show Up’ was released on August 30th, and Michael is currently recording his next album.
Tips: https://venmo.com/u/Mike-L-Thomas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlthomasmusic/
Karen Laura Peters is a musician whose sound is as grounded and natural as the landscapes she draws inspiration from. Whether she’s playing guitar or cello, or sharing her rich, warm vocals, her music feels like a reflection of her deep connection to the world around her. With her calming energy and genuine presence, Karen creates an inviting space where listeners can feel at home. As a singer-songwriter on both cello and guitar, Karen frequently collaborates with others and is a Co-Founder of the Tacoma, WA based music organization, Momentum.
Tips: https://venmo.com/u/karenlaurapeters
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaurapeters/
Kortney Dowdell is a proud Detroit native and has been playing the piano since the age of six, entirely self-taught. Known for his skill in musical placements, his talent for improvisation, and his dedication to mentoring and cultivating fellow artists, Kortney brings a unique passion and energy to every performance. We invite you to enjoy his music and experience the heart and soul of his journey. Please welcome Kortney Dowdell!
Tips: https://venmo.com/u/kortney-dowdell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kortney__dowdell/
Soulfull: A Concert to Feed Our Community
Early 2020, I had this vision of creating a music concert that would raise funds to feed those in need. At that time, food banks were in desperate need as the pandemic caused major job loss and food and supply shortages (don't even get me started on the toilet paper). I knew what I wanted to do, but I didn't know where I would hold this concert and how to make it happen. I thought to myself, I could plan this now and when the pandemic is over in a few months, it will be ready! I even designed the poster for it. Well, a few months turned into several years, so the idea was tucked away and forgotten.
Fast forward to 2024 - I became part of a beautiful community that really cares about those in need. Urban Grace in downtown Tacoma is truly a place that welcomes all and cares about the poor and marginlized. I met people like Willie Stewart who tirelessly dedicated his own time to feeding people who fell into a rough patch in their life. I found it inspiring and wanted to be part of it. A few months ago, my iPhone shared some photo 'memories' with me and the poster I had designed 4+ years ago popped up. Soulfull - a concert where we could fill our souls and help others feel full physically and spiritually.
Some of the best Tacoma musicians are donating their time to put on this lovely concert for you all: Michael Lauckner Thomas, Kortney Dowdell, Victoria Fragoso, Erina McLaren, Karen Laura Peters, Mandla Kaunda, and Emily Wickman. We have people like Sue Brown, Betsy Erickson, Jennifer Miller, and Angela Westergreen contributing to our donation based baked goods table. The concert is hosted by the Peace Bus Driver, Kwabi Amoah-Forson, with special guest speakers, Willie Stewart and Mayor Woodards. The mission of this concert is to raise funds, collect socks, and bring more awareness to this amazing community breakfast led by Willie Stewart. Pre-pandemic, they used to have the foot clinic join in on Sundays. What other programs and services can be provided during the breakfast? What are the possibilities? Music brings people together, and today music will bring people together for a great cause. Thank you for being here : )
Cheers!
Tara Chugh
Fast forward to 2024 - I became part of a beautiful community that really cares about those in need. Urban Grace in downtown Tacoma is truly a place that welcomes all and cares about the poor and marginlized. I met people like Willie Stewart who tirelessly dedicated his own time to feeding people who fell into a rough patch in their life. I found it inspiring and wanted to be part of it. A few months ago, my iPhone shared some photo 'memories' with me and the poster I had designed 4+ years ago popped up. Soulfull - a concert where we could fill our souls and help others feel full physically and spiritually.
Some of the best Tacoma musicians are donating their time to put on this lovely concert for you all: Michael Lauckner Thomas, Kortney Dowdell, Victoria Fragoso, Erina McLaren, Karen Laura Peters, Mandla Kaunda, and Emily Wickman. We have people like Sue Brown, Betsy Erickson, Jennifer Miller, and Angela Westergreen contributing to our donation based baked goods table. The concert is hosted by the Peace Bus Driver, Kwabi Amoah-Forson, with special guest speakers, Willie Stewart and Mayor Woodards. The mission of this concert is to raise funds, collect socks, and bring more awareness to this amazing community breakfast led by Willie Stewart. Pre-pandemic, they used to have the foot clinic join in on Sundays. What other programs and services can be provided during the breakfast? What are the possibilities? Music brings people together, and today music will bring people together for a great cause. Thank you for being here : )
Cheers!
Tara Chugh
About the Venue
Urban Grace is an ecumenical congregation that is multicultural, diverse, and welcoming to all. We welcome the full participation of all people–any denominational background, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic location. We hope to be the open table that Jesus set for all God’s children and offer a nurturing fellowship where it’s safe to wrestle and explore, acknowledging the simultaneous joy and pain, blessing and loss, of this life. We’re grateful to lean into the truth that we are perfectly imperfect and still loved, chosen and accepted. We want to provide our community with a faith home where we can build diverse and deep relationships and experience shared spiritual practices such as worship services, studies, small groups, and prayer, in order to gain greater connection to God and each other. We are teachers, businesswomen and men, nonprofit employees, medical care providers, stay at home parents, unemployed and everything in between, seeking to bring the love, grace and truth of Jesus to our gritty city.
Donate to Urban Grace's mission or the community breakfast: https://www.urbangrace.org/give/
Donate to Urban Grace's mission or the community breakfast: https://www.urbangrace.org/give/
