Two upcoming events support the work of the non-profit Garden of Dreams Foundation.
James Ciannello, now 14, remembers it as “the best day of my life.”
In 2016, before a full house at Radio City Music Hall, the Dunellen teenager took the stage and performed Shawn Mendes‘ “Never Be Alone” as part of the Garden of Dreams Foundation‘s annual talent show.
Music, both his original songs and beloved tunes written by others, have been what keep Ciannello going through countless hospital stays and doctor visits. And for the first time, the young guitarist was able to share that with a wide audience.
“I couldn’t live without music,” said Ciannello, whose health issues include a chronic condition that causes his esophagus to reject most foods as allergens, severe lung disease and an autoimmune disease that affects his joints and muscles. “When I was up there, it was like, ‘Wooh.'”
Two upcoming events support the work of the non-profit Garden of Dreams Foundation and showcase talents like Ciannello’s. The charity’s annual fundraising “Concert for Dreams” featuring O.A.R. and special guests including Foundation board member Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, co-founder of Run-DMC, will take place March 23 at the Beacon Theatre.
The “Together We Dream Talent Show 2018, featuring young people who have benefitted from Garden of Dreams programming — including Ciannello, who will perform in a chorus — will be held at Radio City Music Hall March 27. Admission is free.
“The talent show is just off the hook. These are some of the most talented individuals on the earth,” said McDaniels, who has been involved with the foundation for almost a decade. “These kids are facing crazy obstacles — socio-economic, physical, mental — and there is still beautiful music inside of them. They still want to dance. They still want to sing … and the Garden of Dreams provides that opportunity.”
Launched in 2006, Garden of Dreams is a non-profit that works with the Madison Square Garden Company and MSG Networks to create unforgettable experiences for young people dealing with obstacles including illness, homelessness, poverty, tragedy and unstable family lives.
The organization’s 30 partner organizations in the tri-state area — including hospitals and the Make A Wish Foundation — have directed more than 350,000 children to the foundation in the last 12 years.
The dreams fulfilled, thanks to MSG’s Entertainment division, include helping one young man meet Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters, who then invited him on stage during a sold-out performance at MSG. Other dreamers have danced with Radio City’s Rockettes.
The two professional sports teams who call MSG their home court/rink — the Knicks and the Rangers — are also active partners. Each year, Garden of Dreams participants take over a Rangers game, singing the national anthem, dropping the puck, making the announcements and driving the Zamboni.
In 2016, Ciannello not only performed a song by Mendes but also got to meet and play with the singer. Mendes then shared video clip of the pair on social media, something that still draws a “Wooh” from Ciannello.
“These kids carry these experiences with them for the rest of their lives. It gives them a newfound enthusiasm for life and who they are and what they can do,” McDaniels said. “They already have courage but it makes them feel invincible, like they can look any obstacle in the eye.”
“It’s beautiful to see, and the best thing is Garden of Dreams stays involved in their lives and with their families. You just can’t go to these communities and give out presents at Christmas or turkeys on Thanksgiving and disappear for a full year. … We stay and we can say, ‘Oh, the cancer’s in remission’ and ‘Oh, he finally made it to college.'”
Monroe Township resident Kimberly Caputo, 19, learned about the talent show through the local Make A Wish chapter. She has a chronic autoimmune condition that leads to excessive bleeding and bruising. During her many hospital stays, she began writing songs to deal with feeling trapped. Music, she said, “is pretty much my escape.” (Her song “You on You” is available on Apple music and Spotify.)
For the talent show, the self-taught guitarist/pianist will sing “I’m Every Woman” with another participant. The goal, she said, is to inspire others as she’s been inspired.
“It’s a powerful song and we want to spread light and positivity,” said Caputo, a Pace University sophomore. “We want it to be about going through life with optimism and standing up for each other.”
Caputo’s dream is to have a career as a performer and travel the world while also starting a non-profit to help those with juvenile cancer. The Garden of Dreams talent show, she said, is step one.
“I can’t even believe it’s actually happening. … This is going to be the biggest crowd I’ve ever performed for. I think I’ve performed for 50 people max,” she said. “This is a big step, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
CONCERT FOR DREAMS
March 23
A benefit for the Garden of Dreams Foundation featuring O.A.R.
Beacon Theatre
2124 Broadway, New York, NY
Tickets: $ 50-135, available online at www.gardenofdreamsfoundation.org.
‘TOGETHER WE DREAM’ TALENT SHOW 2018
March 27
Radio City Music Hall
1260 6th Ave., New York, NY
Admission is free. For more information, visit gardenofdreamsfoundation.org.
Natalie Pompilio is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. She can be reached at nataliepompilio@yahoo.com. Find her on Twitter @nataliepompilio. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.