Rock For Hope at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse - 5/7/06 - Arlington, VA

We were approached to do this event about a month or so ago by a woman named Barbara Purcell. Barbara saw us at Griff's (and actually sung a tune with us) and asked us to be part of the first annual Rock For Hope, a benefit for the Brain Tumor Society held in conjunction with the annual Race For Hope. I later found out that Barbara herself is a brain tumor survivor. We were obviously more than happy to be a part of the event.

We all really enjoyed the venue. The Drafthouse is recently under new ownership and just put in a new PA and acquired its live entertainment license. I think the PA had only been used once or twice. Needless to say, we were sort of guinea pigs on several levels: new PA, new event. Everything seemed to go pretty well, though, and the event was attended by a humble but mighty crowd.

Mary Ann Redmond kicked off the benefit, playing a duo set with her guitarist. The showmanship and musicianship of both Mary Ann and her guitarist, Lenny, were superb, so it was just great to share a bill with them. I also looked at the upcoming music schedule at the Drafthouse and was pleased to see that the FLB was playing on the same stage that would soon feature Jimmie's Chicken Shack and Alexa Ray Joel (Billy Joel's soulful daughter). Good stuff.

Thanks to Barbara for inviting us and for everyone who helped out and came out and supported the cause. That's what it's all about...