Jalopy Benefit for victims of mother nature to feature cool local acts, by Michael Cobb

With summer wildfires in California, Montana, and Oregon, hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Jose wreaking havoc in the southern United States and the Caribbean, and the massive earthquake in Mexico City, Mother Earth seems angry.

Whether you believe that Gaia is taking her revenge or hold more scientifically based beliefs, major shifts in climate and plate tectonics have been in full affect lately, and humanity has been paying the price.

The sense of anguish is palpable but so is resolve. Concerned citizens want to help and can do so in creative ways. By nature sensitive souls, artists and musicians are often inspired to step up and chip in.

The recent onslaught of disasters has inspired a group of Brooklyn based musicians to come together to raise money for global victims of climate change in a show billed as “Like A Hurricane.”

Performers include Alex Battles, founder of the annual Johnny Cash Birthday Bash and the monthly Cash-Hank jam at Freddy’s Bar in Brooklyn, Emma & Johnny, who excel in the high-lonesome harmonies of obscure classic country, early blues by Fatboy Wilson and Old Viejo Bones, the Eclecticana sounds of Mike Cobb and The Crevulators, elegant folk-pop by Alastair Ottensen, and psychedelic folk rock from Lovechild.

The event will take place from 8pm to 12 midnight at Brooklyn’s premier venue for roots music: The Jalopy Theatre on 315 Columbia Street. Entry costs $10 at the door and tickets are also available online at www.jalopy.biz. All proceeds from the event will go to All Hands Volunteers, an excellent organization dedicated to rebuilding communities damaged by natural disasters.

All Hands began after the devastating Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in December 2004. Business professional David Campbell spontaneously headed to Thailand to see how he could help. His intended one-week volunteer visit turned into a month, during which he co-founded HandsOnThailand and worked with more than 200 other spontaneous volunteers to rebuild five fishing villages in Phuket. After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the U.S. in late 2005, David and several other HandsOn volunteers established HandsOnUSA, coordinating 1,500 volunteers to help the survivors of the storm. In 2010, HandsOnUSA became All Hands Volunteers.

The organization’s mission is to “address the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters by engaging and leveraging volunteers, partner organizations and local communities…to demonstrate the power and value of volunteer service through the tangible work done, the hope it brings to suffering communities and the transformative experiences it provides for volunteers.”

“Like A Hurricane” is a great opportunity for the public to enjoy themselves while supporting live music and to contribute to an urgently needed cause.

For more information about tickets, donating, or volunteering, go to www.hands.org and www.jalopy.biz

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