Albert Manjarrez, manger of The Roxy Lounge is hosting a benefit for his sister on Thursday, March 1.This event features live performances from local acoustic musicians Adam Shero, Angela Ferrari, and Javier Garcia.
Amanda Manjarrez was an asymptomatic 26-year-old single mother, unaware she was ill until she tried to write something down, but physically couldn't do it. She saw a doctor and found out that she had a brain tumor. Her surgery last Friday went very well; her doctors were amazed by her quick recovery.
Things took a turn for the worse in the middle of the night when her brain swelled and she had a stroke or a seizure. A heart attack followed and she died early Saturday morning.
Manjarrez is hosting a fundraiser for Amanda's children: Aiden, Anecia, and Andrew, who range from 4 to 8 years old. Manjarrez says their fathers have never been in the picture, so it's now up to him and his mom to take care of Amanda's kids.
"As a single mom, she raised three kids on her own. She struggled, but she did it well. She did the best she can to raise proper kids, they're great kids. They're having a real hard time about it now, but we just wanted to have a fundraiser for them to make sure they live life the best that they possibly can," says Albert Manjarrez, "I'm obviously going to do everything I can to take care of them. They're going to be staying with my mom and myself now, so we just want to have a fundraiser, a night where we bring people in."
The benefit features live acoustic performances from Adam Shero, who plays mellow, slowed down versions of rap and hip-hop songs. Angela Ferrari is a singer songwriter in the vein of Adele. Javier Garcia will mix things up with some roots/blues covers.
There is no cover charge for the concert, but Manjarrez encourages donations, which will go directly to Amanda's children. Manjarrez and his mother paid for the funeral out of pocket. "We've got it all taken care of, but the money is going to go into an account for the kids, if the kids ever need anything at all," he says.
The event runs from 7 to 10:30 p.m. and will include appetizers and slideshows of Amanda and her family. Manjarrez encourages friends and family to also attend Amanda's viewing at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, at Redemption Church in Gilbert.
