As the school year begins students may learn that it pays to get on the good side of a teacher — and to remain in touch through the years. Lisa Bremer, a fourth grade teacher in the West Windsor-Plainsboro School district, has organized a benefit concert with proceeds going toward childhood cancer research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to help a former student. She was able to secure Peter Tork (of the Monkees) and Shoe Suede Blues to perform on behalf of Adam’s Team on Thursday, September 13, at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theater. Adam is Adam Gostomski, 15, now a sophomore at High School North.
“I had the opportunity to teach Adam and one of his two sisters as fourth graders,” says Bremer. “Needless to say, I got to know the family pretty well. When his mom called to tell me about Adam and how he and his sisters were selling rubber bracelets for Adam’s Team to raise money for CHoP and children’s cancer research, my heart just broke. I wanted to do something to help Adam.”
Gostomski has recently undergone treatments for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Adam’s Team was originally started as a way to communicate with Adam’s friends about his progress. Adam, however, wanted to do something for other children who were going through a similar situation to his. He wanted to collect money for research so that “no kid should have to go through cancer.” He and his sisters sold bracelets and donated the money that was collected to CHoP on behalf of Adam’s Team.
“Adam is such a selfless young man who wants to help doctors and researchers find a cure for cancer,” says his former teacher. “The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHoP) is where he went for his treatments and he wants to give back and help. He is currently doing well and even was able to play baseball this summer.
“As a teacher, I learn a lot from my students. From Adam I learned that a positive attitude can take you far. This concert is the least I can do to help with Adam’s cause.” The September 13 concert is being organized to assist Adam with his hopes and wishes — to raise money to help find a cure for cancer.
“Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues got involved because Peter is such a kind man. I follow his band and have had the opportunity to see them perform many times. I wrote to the booking agent to see if the concert was a possibility, and I am thrilled to say that it happened. I am so happy that the schedule allowed him to perform with his band and be a part of this fundraiser,” says Bremer.
Shoe Suede Blues features Tork — best known as the dimpled and naive member of the legendary 1960s group the Monkees. Tork plays many instruments including keyboards, guitar, bass, banjo, and various types of percussion and wind instruments. During his early years, he enjoyed playing blues, gospel, classical, and folk music. These days he is performing, writing, producing, and recording music, and traveling around the country with his blues band, Shoe Suede Blues.
“I’m very glad to support Adam’s Team’s fundraising efforts for Philadelphia Children’s Hospital. We get more requests along these lines than we can possibly meet, so I’m grateful things came together for us to be able to participate in this one,” said Tork. “As Adam noted, no kid should have to go through cancer.”
Tork understands what it is like to be a victim of cancer. His own life was turned upside down in 2009 after he was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare slow-growing form of head and neck cancer. Tork underwent surgery to remove a tumor, endured courses of radiation, and is thankful to report that he has been cancer-free for the last three years.
“I’m one of the lucky ones,” Tork says. “For those who don’t make it, it’s a devastating experience for them and their families. It’s even more unfortunate when cancer takes one of our younger ones.”
This past spring Tork did a public service announcement for the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, urging people to get screened for cancer. “I am grateful to say my cancer was detected early enough for me to undergo successful surgery and follow-up treatment,” said Tork.
Tork, a well-respected musical artist in the New York folk and blues scene before joining the Monkees, performed with Steven Stills, Dave Van Ronk, Van Dyke Parks, Arthur Lee, and others. He auditioned for a TV show about a band in 1965 and was selected to join what was to become a ground breaking multimedia project centering around four zany, young, members of a rock/pop band. Their talent, passion, and creativity soon paved the way for the performers to mature into an actual band and they began to tour the world, developing a loyal, dedicated fanbase that endures to this day.
Tork continues his musical career with Shoe Suede Blues, as well as performing as a soloist or with other artists. He also makes numerous guest appearances on a TV programs and at nostalgia conventions. “I thrive in the electricity of performing in front of a live audience, and as being an integral part of the music scene, with plenty more to come,” Tork says.
While the band focuses on blues and grass roots rock, they usually play a handful of Monkees hits, including a bluesy rendition of “Last Train to Clarksville.” In a few months he will embark on a much-anticipated Monkees reunion tour — but now he is onstage doing what he loves best — playing the blues and giving back to the community.
Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues, Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Thursday, September 13, 8 p.m. Benefit concert for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on behalf of Adam’s Team based in Plainsboro. Register. $40. 609-570-3333. www.kelseytheatre.net.
