Cancer benefit

December 8, 2005 8:59 AM

So we're throwing a large benefit for a friend diagnosed with Squamous Cell Cancer and could use some suggestions on how to keep it interesting

I've been to a bunch of these things over the years and inevitably, it's the same thing: A beef and beer with music. Well, this one isn't much different but we'd like it to be. The benefit is being held for a pretty well known Philly musician who is part of one of the areas bigger rhythm and blues bands. He's got a lot of friends in the industry which is demonstrated by the 20 bands (yes, twenty) donating their time toward the effort. There will be local newspaper support as well as some radio spots promoting it.

Here's the deal. We have a fairly large facility (holds about 400-500 people). Bands have full back-line, lighting, the works (donated by Guitar Center). Each band gets about 30 min sets and in between there are acoustic players as the other bands set up. The event runs for 10 hours - the idea being that people can show up at any time and support the event, regardless of whether they might have some other things going on that day. Several companies have donated items for a chinese auction....and of course we will be doing the ever popular 50/50. Aside from that, there isn't much else planned at the moment.

Sorry for being so long winded, just trying to provide as much info as possible.

So...what I'm asking is: Has anyone here been to a good benefit? What made it so good? What can we do to keep it interesting aside from the bands? Any suggestions??

posted by j.p. Hung to society & culture (4 comments total)

Sorry for the derail, but did his SCC metastasize or something? Usually SCC is a nice 5 minute outpatient procedure with perhaps a stern lecture and lots of lifetime followup, but nothing requiring a benefit concert.
posted by kcm at 9:03 AM on December 8, 2005

If music is a big part, auction off a chance to perform with one or more of the bands.
posted by plinth at 10:26 AM on December 8, 2005

My wife organized a benefit a while back. They got a bunch of artists and designers to create and donate works of art on 5.5" square blocks of wood (cut from 6x1 stock), and held a silent auction. Almost everything sold, and the net result was a few thousand bucks, IIRC. It also made for a nice party, and there really was some interesting art to look at. I could put you in touch with her for more details if that's an avenue you want to pursue. It was also a lot of fussy organizational work.
posted by adamrice at 12:19 PM on December 8, 2005

kcm....The guy is in stage IV, it's not promising. I thank you for the suggestions though.
posted by j.p. Hung at 4:49 PM on December 8, 2005