'A Cappella for a Cure' to Benefit American Cancer Society

Thanks to a driven Newton North High School student, this weekend's '' concert will raise funds to benefit the American Cancer Society for the third year in a row.

Taking place on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the , the concert will feature performances by a cappella groups from and , plus one college group from Brandeis University.

Selling out for the past two years, A Cappella for a Cure has raised over $5,000 each year, with 100 percent of the money going to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

“We hope to do the same this year,” said the event’s creator and organizer, Newton North senior Emily Paley.

Paley, who will also MC the show, came up with the idea for A Cappella for a Cure in 2010 after participating in Relay for Life and wanting to do more fundraising for it. The show will benefit the Relay for Life of Newton-Brookline.

“Since I am a singer and part of my school’s coed a cappella group, Northern Lights, I thought it would be fun to just get a bunch of other groups together for a concert,” she says.  “It was a matter of taking two of my passions – singing and fundraising for cancer research – and merging them together.” 

Since then, Paley has been running the event annually, along with the help of her family and friends, she says.

A Cappella for a Cure has also been a success each year thanks to the contributions of local sponsors who have helped out in many ways, says Paley. 

The Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs gave them the concert venue free of charge, of West Newton does their printing at no cost, and Norm Thibault of HeyNorm Productions has provided their sound system. Also, and Bonnieville Cookies will provide refreshments, and the employees of do all the work the night of the concert and all of the baking for their bake sale, she says.

“It’s because of them that we are able to send one-hundred percent of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society, and the same sponsors have been with us since day one,” she says.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.theatreink.net or at the door on the day of the event.