MCE Rocked MSG at the 12.12.12 Concert

Guest Post by Maine Guide/Laurie K. The air was electric as fans at Madison Square Garden in NYC had their tickets scanned and headed in to what promised to be one of the great rock concerts and fundraisers of our generation. In a six-hour rock extravaganza, musicians delivered, celebs entertained, Hurricane Sandy heroes were recognized, and fans cheered and donated to the Robin Hood Foundation Sandy Relief Effort…it was a night and cause to remember. It was a down-to-the-wire start for the Maine Camp Experience (MCE) giveaway winners - Judy G. (Camp Modin), Carolyn C. (Kamp Kohut), and Devon W. (Camp Vega), who met up with me, the Maine Camp Experience Maine Guide, at Hotel Pennsylvania to pick up their tickets. In the end…their desire to see the show just surpassed the never ending gridlock that threatened their attendance, and the last of the winners ran for the show. 12.12.12 was an incredible collection of amazing artists, passionate activists, touching tributes and notes of humor (thank you Adam Sandler!). So many incredible acts rocked the crowd like The Who, and some unanticipated pairings highlighted the night such as Roger Waters and Eddie Vedder, Michael Stipe and Chris Martin, and Sir Paul McCartney and Dave Grohl. The “Jersey boys” Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi paid great tribute; and Billy Joel delivered a solid, classic performance. Eric Clapton serenaded the audience, The Rolling Stones pleased the crowd with Mick’s signature moves, and Kanye brought his own hip hop style to the stage. An elegant, radiant and beautiful Alicia Keys ended the night with “Empire State of Mind.” The 31 MCE camps, camp owners/directors, staff, camp families and alumni are proud to have been a part of the historic and meaningful 12.12.12 Benefit Concert. These camp owners are hopeful their donation will help make a difference to all those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. We continue to stand together to rebuild and look ahead toward better times as the summer draws nearer each day and the countdown continues to when we will all be together again in our home away from home, our Maine summer camps.