June 22, 2005
Musicians United Against Cancer, July 15
The first annual Musicians United Against Cancer benefit concert will feature performances by musicians who have been directly or indirectly affected by cancer. Featuring an eclectic lineup of five bands, the concert will be held Friday, July 15, at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge and will benefit cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Headlining the night is the critically acclaimed Revolutionary Snake Ensemble (RSE), which helped to organize the event in conjunction with local band the Gulf. With multiple nominations for best jazz group by the Boston Phoenix, WFNX Radio, and the Boston Music Awards, RSE is a funk and street beat brass band that plays New Orleans and other modern improvised celebratory music. The band's latest release, "Year of the Snake" has been listed as one of the top CDs of the year by the New Orleans Gambit Weekly, New York City NPR affiliate WNYC, and Radio Popolare in Milan, Italy.
Local newcomers, the Gulf, will open for RSE. Inspired by his mother's battle with cancer, the Gulf's guitarist Adam Garland organized this event with the hopes of building awareness within the local music community. The Gulf promises a surreal set of music with influences from blues to baroque music.
Also performing will be local acts Less Lonesome, Bowman, and New York City dance rockers, the Swedes.
The Swedes will kick off the night at 8:30 p.m., followed by Bowman at 9:30. The Less Lonesome will play beginning at 10:30 p.m., with the Gulf next at 11:30, and the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble capping off the evening at 12:30 a.m.
The Middle East Downstairs is located on 480 Massachusetts Avenue (Central Square) in Cambridge, Mass., and can be reached at (617) 354-8238 or by visiting their website at www.mideastclub.com.
Doors open at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 15. There is a $12 cover and additional donations are welcome and appreciated to support Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Recognized by the National Cancer Institute as one of the world's leaders in cancer research and care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is renowned for its unique blending of basic and clinical research, and for using its discoveries to improve cancer treatments for children and adults around the world.
