By Nikki Purdy
Entertainment and community service can go hand-in-hand.
DCS Productions, a local music production company, has organized a fund-raiser concert that will benefit the Center for Women and Children in Crisis while showing the community that live music venues can be a positive outlet for independent artists.
Brian Neesham, a partner of DCS Productions who deals with promotions, said the Wrapsody on University Avenue in Provo was the only live music venue available in the community. Since its closure, people have tried to develop other venues, but the cities in the area are afraid of having live music venues in their neighborhoods.
“We’re trying to show that music is a good thing, and they shouldn’t be afraid of it,” Neesham said.
At the same time, they want to help those who offer support and assistance to victims of abuse or rape, Neesham said.
The Center for Women and Children in Crisis is a non-profit organization which receives all of their funding through donations from the community as well as state and federal grants. They are also a United Way agency.
“It’s really cool whenever someone wants to do a fund-raiser for us,” said shelter manager Kimberlee Kowallis. “It not only says ‘We value the work you do, but that we are willing to work to help you.'”
The concert will feature five local bands: Spitball, Illborn, Froglick, Dumb Luck,now called Used, and Instant winner. There will also be one national band from California, Automatic 7. The concert will be in the Maeser Elementary School gym on Sept. 2 at 6 p.m.
While the music entertains, community organizations will educate. The Women’s Crisis Line and other groups that train volunteers or offer counseling will have booths where they can hand out pamphlets explaining what they do, Neesham said.
“It will almost be like a festival to let people know what they are,” Neesham said.
“I feel really supported,” Kowallis said. “Whenever we have a really big need for something, we always seem to get a call.”
Tickets will be sold at the door for $5, and Neesham expects the concert to sell out fast.
“These are the most popular bands in Utah right now,” Neesham said.
All the proceeds will go to the Center for Women and Children in Crisis.
