Musician, storyteller, and educator Van Wagner from Danville will play a benefit concert in the Warehouse Gallery on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7:00pm. All ticket proceeds will be split between Hamilton-Gibson Productions and Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries. Doors open at 6pm, so come early for drinks, raffles, and to mingle with the animals.

If you don’t know who Van Wagner is, his website sums it up: Born in Pennsylvania. Lives in Pennsylvania. Makes music. Mined coal. Logged trees. Teaches kids. You’ll recognize places mentioned in his songs like “North of 80” and “Crosscut Saw.” He received an Outstanding Achievement Award in 2018 from the Pennsylvania Heritage Songwriting Contest. He has released 35 original albums and is streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. He will have CDs for sale at the event.

“Really, this is a people benefit,” Wagner said. “If we can help find forever homes for animals, we will make some person’s life richer. Animals make life more rewarding. This concert is about helping people find happiness. Happiness with paws.”

Wagner grew up with some very special dogs. Currently, he and his wife have 4 cats (3 of whom are fairly well behaved), bunnies, ducks, geese, and chickens. “We can’t imagine a life without animals,” he says. His musical inspirations include the Beatles’ Abbey Road album, the Best of the Kingston Trio, and “Jingle Bells” sung/barked by a choir of dogs.

Last year $860 was raised for HG and Second Chance. Jim Howe, president of the board of Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries, said, “Combining music and the performing arts with compassion for animals is such a natural blend, as they’re both serving a need in this area that brings joy to all who experience it.”

Second Chance at 725 Gee Rd, Tioga provides humane, no-kill sanctuaries for the care and rehabilitation of abandoned and at-risk animals. Through compassionate care and outreach programs, they facilitate animal adoptions, public respect and appreciation of animals, and awareness of animal needs as well as human responsibilities. 

More information on adoptable animals can be found at secondchanceas.org or call 570-376-3646. Concert tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for those 12 and under and are available at hgp.booktix.com. The Warehouse Theatre Gallery is located at 3 Central Ave., Wellsboro. For more information call 570-724-2079.