Rockin' for Charity

By Danielle Stanfield

Enjoy the funky and jazzy sounds of Michael Franti & Spearhead as the headlining act at this year’s Band Together 10th annual charity concert held at the Lincoln Theatre in downtown Raleigh on May 22.

The band is coming off of a successful tour with John Mayer and is known for energetic live shows and as advocates for peace and social justice. Also performing is American Idol finalist Anoop Desai; London-based band One eskimO that toured with Tori Amos; Chapel Hill’s The Old Ceremony; and a late-night after-show party with Holy Ghost Tent Revival, an ensemble from Greensboro that melds brass, banjo, guitar, bass, drums and keyboard to create joyous, toe-tapping music.

Band Together NC is a nonprofit organization that uses musical events to raise funds and awareness for select Triangle charities. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit StepUP Ministry, an interfaith nonprofit organization that teaches low-income and homeless people to become self-sufficient.

“This event is shaping up to be our biggest and best ever,” said Danny Rosin, president and co-founder of Band Together. “We have over 100 sponsors and are hoping to draw more than 3,500 attendees to the event to enjoy great music, a silent auction, raffle and, more importantly, do something powerful for the community.”

More than $300,000 has been raised so far this year, with Band Together generating $203,000 in pledges, StepUP matching with an additional $85,000 and various companies providing $49,000 in in-kind donations. Presenting sponsors for 2010 are Cargill, Hosted Solutions, S&A Cherokee and the A.J. Fletcher Foundation.

Tickets for the event are $22 in advance or $25 the day of the show, and can be purchased at www.bandtogethernc.org. To learn more about StepUP Ministry, visit www.step-up.us