Ready to Rock with Geek Skwad and more!
By MELISSA SCHNEIDER
mschneider
@breezenewspapers.com
Get ready to rock for a cause this weekend, as Nervous Nellie’s and the Bay Walk area plans to host an all-day, autism awareness, pre-Surf-and-Song-Festival concert this weekend Sunday, Oct. 24, froom noon to 10 p.m.
Scheduled by local political activist John G. Heim, and organized by local musician Fritz Caraher, this concert promises to be great fun for a great cause.
“This event/concert is the first of its kind to have ever been seen on Fort Myers Beach, as it is based around the Surf and Song Festival that will take place in January of 2011 to raise awareness for autism,” John said. “The Fort Myers Beach concert is the kick-off to many of other upcoming events leading up the actual Surf and Song Festival. It will be for all people from everywhere to enjoy as we begin our journey to a very special cause.”
Geek Skwad, No Way Jose, Eventide, Downbeat Brigade, Deb and the Dynamics and The Oysters, along with other talented artists and musicians, will rock this concert just right all day long.
“This will be a nice, fun family event,” said Rob DeGennaro, owner of Nervous Nellie’s, of the Sunday event. “Brad Beasley from Beasley Broadcasting is spearheading this whole thing. They’ll be bringing down live remotes from their two radio stations B103.9 and 99X. They’ll be handing out some free giveaways.”
A stage will be set up to the left of the Bay Walk fountain near Nervous Nellie’s, as well as other live music heard upstairs at Ugly’s Waterside Bar.
“We’ll have three bands playing at any given time,” Rob said. “Happy hour will be served, and we’ll have free hors d’oeuvres served at Ugly’s, where we’ll also have a silent auction.”
Surf and Song Festival 2011
“The Surf and Song Festival is an annual charity event that features the best of our local and regional music and arts professionals to both service and entertain our community,” said Fritz Caraher, organizer of the concert. “The festival is hosted by our local musicians, artists and businesses for the enjoyment of our community and to raise awareness of a range of charities. We strive to continue to demonstrate that, be it one person or a hundred. We can all make a positive difference to where we live and with those among us.”
The official Surf and Song Festival is expected to be a major musical celebration, featuring a two-day festival in downtown Fort Myers, Jan. 14 and 15, highlighted by 80 bands on 15 stages, including national acts on the main stage in Centennial Park.
Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Southwest Florida Autism Center Initiative.
“I think autism needs attention, and the money is important because there is not much out there for research,” Rob said. “It’s not as much raising money at this event as it is an information/awareness to the problem.”
For more information, contact Fritz Caraher at 728-1677.
BOB?PETCHER?also
contributed to this article