By Julia Barton EBS Editorial Assistant
BIG SKY- Mark Robin, longtime co-owner of the Hungry Moose Market and Deli, invites the community to join him in celebrating his birthday at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center. The evening will feature a piano concert by local pianist and music teacher Klaudia Kosiak. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Lone Peak High School Interact club, and their annual service trip to Nepal.
Robin was diagnosed with ALS in September 2016, and since then, the Big Sky community has been nothing but supportive of him and his family during this difficult time. It is truly beautiful to see the town come together with such love for one of their own.
Kosiak, a friend of the Robin family, had the idea of honoring Robin with a special piano concert. “I was thinking about what I could do for Mark for a long time,” she said. “I started thinking how nice it would be to play in the theater for even more of his friends and family.”
Kosiak has decided to perform pieces by Bach, Chopin and Rachmaninoff, among others. “I will be playing all of the pieces I really love,” she said. The event will be the pianist’s first solo recital. “Mark gave me a good reason to do this,” she said.
Originally from Wroclaw, Poland, Kosiak has lived in Big Sky for 11 years, teaching piano lessons, involving herself with WMPAC events, and acting as the music director for Big Sky Broadway and all of the local musicals. Through her community involvement, she formed a friendship with the Robin family. Upon Robin’s diagnosis, Kosiak began holding private concerts at the Robin’s home.
Though the primary purpose of this event is to show love and support for Mark, the Robins have graciously decided to donate all proceeds of the night to the LPHS Interact Club’s 2018 service trip to Nepal.
“We are especially thrilled to be a part of Klaudia’s first-ever piano recital in Big Sky,” said Mark’s wife Jackie. “The idea to help raise funds for the Interact club’s trip to Nepal was the perfect beneficiary.”
The Interact Club is a Rotary-sponsored service club currently fundraising to send nine seniors to Nepal this coming April, including Mark and Jackie’s son, Howie.
The students embarking on this trip will be trekking between villages, visiting orphanages, schools and homes for the elderly. Accompanying them will be as many donation items as will fit in their luggage. The Interact Club is teaming up with Pete Schmieding and the Tsering’s Fund to bring aid to Nepal in whatever form they can. It is gearing up to be a very special trip, and the club is grateful to have this event to kick off their fundraising.
The Robins are looking forward to seeing the community gather at WMPAC in support of Mark and his journey, Kosiak’s first solo concert, and the upcoming trip to Nepal.
The Nov. 30 concert is open to the public with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m. followed by a birthday cake reception at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at warrenmillerpac.org and at the door.
