Preview: CFI Fundraiser / September 27 / Jackie O's
By Travis Boswell, Staff Writer
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 / Jackie O's
On most weekends, $5 will get you in the door for a night of entertainment. This weekend, bringing $5 to Jackie O's gets you a show from three bands and helps residents of southeast Ohio get reliable access to food.
Community Food Initiatives is holding a benefit show at Jackie O's where they are raising money to help their organization grow. Mary Nally has worked as the Executive Director of CFI since 2012 and oversees the programs they use to provide food to southeastern Ohio. These programs help the 20 percent of people in Athens County who lack reliable access to food.
"We work toward...long term results by managing six community gardens, coordinating seed sovereignty efforts, planting community orchards, providing adult and youth gardening education and food preservation workshops," Nally said. "CFI developed the Donation Station, a program that collects and distributes local food to food pantries and agencies serving those in need."
This weekend is CFI's fourth benefit show this year. The local bands at this event are promoting both Community Food Initiatives and Jackie O's as a local business.
"One of the great things about Athens is that we have lots of talented musicians," Nally said, "The community spirit means a willingness to play for a good cause."
One of the bands playing is Terros. Band member Erik Peterson coordinated the past three benefit shows, and the members of Terros have been involved in the shows in various forms. Vocalist Brett Hill has been part of three of the CFI benefit shows so far.
"Back in March we did a benefit show for CFI that was actually our first show at Jackie O's. I just did a CFI show solo at Cider House," Hill said. "Whenever they have them, I play them."
Terros is the combination of members from two Athens bands with very distinct musical focuses. The first was an acoustic bluegrass band, and the second was primarily psychedelic rock with electric instruments.
"We kinda still kinda play both of those genres," Hill said. "Sometimes psychedelic rock and sometimes it's more folk."
As a result of being in three different bands, the members of Terros are flexible with their band structure. Hill is primarily a vocalist but plays guitar, keys and occasionally drums during the band's live shows.
Terros has been around for a year, and are currently working on releasing several live recordings of their performances. Hill says the band is focused on writing and recording music for now, and the best way to hear them is at a live show.
Emerson B and Seeder will also be at the benefit show, bringing a mixture of beatboxing and acoustic rock to the stage. Finally, 9-piece New Orleans style R&B dance band The Wild Honeybees will close out the night.
Its never been easier to get great entertainment and support the community at the same time. Admission is $5, and the show will include prize raffles throughout the night. The show begins Saturday at 9 p.m.
