The weather has turned and Christmas is around the corner, once again. With the Great Recession still in progress, many in the community will be hit extra hard with even less for the holiday. That’s why Travis Howe and Jesse Williams decided to help out in any way they can.
“I know everyone is still feeling the economic situation right now,” says Howe.
As musicians, who also work at the they knew the best way they could tackle the no-holiday-present woes.
Teaming up with Toys For Tots Foundation, Williams and Howe have organized the Blue Lagoon's first, Santa Cause ‘N Santa Cruz concert on Wednesday, December 12.
Here’s the deal: the concert will showcase 10 local bands from all over Santa Cruz’s musical spectrum and the cost of entry is either a measly $5 or a new, packaged but unwrapped, toy.
All of the proceeds will be donated to Toys For Tots and all of the bands have volunteered to perform.
There will be one band per hour until midnight.
"It is the first time I think we’ve done this [had so many bands], at least since I’ve worked here,” says Howe.
For those who need a beat that drops with danceable melodies, there’s Eliquate; for the circle pit and mosh crews, Custom Fit, and How Dare You will be ripping it up; anyone with a fix for straight up rock will find it in the Atomic Aces, Projekt 2 and The Redlight District and for those wishing for a black Christmas, metal bands Grieve, A Thousand Shall Fall and Vultures At Arms Reach will be bringing the doom.
“We tried to get a mixture of everything,” says Howe.
So there it is. An all-day, 10-band extravaganza for either the cheap price of $5 or a toy and everyone can enjoy that warm, fuzzy feeling for helping out.
Even those with hearts the size of Scrooge’s can enjoy the fuzzy feeling since it will be at a bar serving holiday cheer one shot at a time. Whatever a person’s reason for attending, Howe leaves no question about the show’s intentions.
“We just want people there having a good time for a good cause.”
After all, ‘tis the season, right?
