Pulse

Concert honors family’s commitment to funding cancer research

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Musician DJ Williams playing a guitar

Rocking around the Christmas tree will take on renewed meaning in Hampton Roads this year, thanks to the Fifth Annual Xmas Eve Eve Benefit Concert on Thursday, Dec. 23, at Smartmouth Brewing Co. in Norfolk.

The concert, created by the Nancy Langhorne Foundation, will benefit EVMS cancer outreach and research initiatives, including the school’s HOPES free clinic, which helps uninsured women have access to cancer screenings.

The cause is close to the heart of Richard Langhorne, who lost his mother, Nancy, to cancer before starting the foundation in her name in 2017 in collaboration with his father, Richard Langhorne Sr., sister, Emily Langhorne, and family friends.

“Cancer is unfortunately something that will touch most of our lives, if not directly, then adjacently with friends and family,” says Mr. Langhorne, a Brooklyn-based copywriter who grew up in Norfolk and attended Maury High School. “Research, trials and early screening are the only real hopes for beating aggressive cancer types. We couldn't save my mom, but maybe — just maybe  —  if we fund the right research, we can save someone else's mom.” 

Mrs. Langhorne worked for more than 40 years in the nursing field as a practitioner and teacher for local health systems, including Sentara Healthcare and Bon Secours.

“She was a fun and often times outgoing person who was passionate about the people and things she believed in and cared about, especially her family, friends, travel and movies,” Mr. Langhorne says. “She really cared about her patients and making sure they were treated well.”

Mr. Langhorne leveraged his background in advertising — and reached out to friends with concert-planning experience — to start the Christmas-themed event, which to date has raised more than $32,000 overall in support of cancer trials and lab research and attracted hundreds each year to help generate awareness for the cause.

Due to the pandemic, the foundation could not hold a concert in 2020 but the group was able to partner with Norfolk’s Vessel Craft Coffee last year to create The Benefit Blend — a special blend, also available this year, that also supports the fundraising efforts.

This year’s concert includes headline performances by DJ Williams Projekt, a Richmond, Va.-based funk rock band led by guitarist, singer and producer DJ Williams (pictured above), and regional favorite Grateful Jed, who will play a reimagining of the Grateful Dead’s 1982 show at Norfolk’s Scope arena. Prabir Trio, whose debut album blends elements of Indian music with rock and roll, will open the concert. Food trucks and on-demand printing of custom T-shirts also will be part of the festivities, along with a raffle with prizes including signed albums, merchandise and other goods donated by area businesses.

In addition, Mr. Williams has partnered with the foundation to create a special 7-inch vinyl, “Almost Christmas,” to coincide with this year’s concert. Sales are limited to 200 copies and they can only be purchased via the foundation website or at the Dec. 23 show. All proceeds benefit the fundraising effort.

For his part, Mr. Langhorne says he thinks his mother would “feel proud of the money raised and touched by the thought of everyone doing something positive in her name.”

“I do think she would be somewhat amused about the concert nature of the benefit,” he adds with a laugh, noting that, as a teenager, he would tease his mom about her taste in music. “But I really wanted to do something that could involve my friends and family and become a bit of a tradition that we could look forward to. In a way, this benefit is a bit of an excuse to throw a party. It’s a fun night for a good cause. It doesn't feel like a traditional charitable event.” 

Tickets and more information are available on the foundation’s website.

Please note, proof of COVID-19 vaccination status is required for entry. Find out more on the foundation’s page.