June 25 concert to benefit two businesses suffering losses in February Masonic Building fire

Photo of the Masonic Temple Fire by Lori Deemer

Faculty and friends of the School of Music at SUNY Fredonia will hold a benefit concert to raise money for Matteson-Kempo Karate and Dynamics Unlimited Gymnastics studios, two Dunkirk businesses that suffered severe losses during the Masonic Building fire February 24. 

The benefit will begin at 7 p.m. at St. John’s United Church, 733 Central Ave. in downtown Dunkirk on June 25. Donations of at least $5 will be taken at the door. All proceeds will go to the two businesses, and parking is available in a lot on Eagle Street behind the church. 

Both businesses lost everything in the building. Matteson-Kempo Karate lost all its training equipment, stored documents and files, a pro shop full of retail items, office supplies and furnishings. Owner Bill Matteson also lost memorable awards earned throughout his martial arts career.

Dynamics Unlimited Gymnastics also lost all of its equipment, which was valued at more than $100,000. The company has replaced some of the equipment, but Owner Carole Cotten said the company still needs mats and spotting blocks, which are both essential for the facility. 

School of Music Professors Gerald Gray, Shinobu Takagi, Jonathan Mann, David and Ann Rose, James Piorkowski, Marc Guy, Sarah Hamilton, and Mark DuBois will be performing an array of pieces at the concert, featuring vocal, piano, guitar, viola, horn and oboe selections.

“After learning of the extreme losses these two businesses suffered, the Music faculty really wanted to come together to see how we could help,” said organizer DuBois, professor of oboe. “Our campus has several connections to these businesses, as the children of many faculty and staff are members of these studios. Some were even there when the fire began.”

In addition, Fredonia vocal student Trevor Hardy will perform with Mary Matteson, Bill Matteson’s mother. They will present the Irish folk classic, “Danny Boy,” along with other traditional Irish songs.

Upon learning of the concert, Matteson said, “I am honored for the help. This is an awesome group of beautiful people. The concert will most definitely be a success.”  Cotten also thanks all those participating for their help during this especially difficult time.