NEWS RELEASE
October 24, 2024 (Roanoke, Va.) – FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge – in partnership with the Floyd Country Store, 5 Points Music Sanctuary, Jefferson Center and Grandin Theatre – will host “Blue Ridge Holler,” a 10-day concert series Nov. 21-30 to raise funds for Virginia and North Carolina communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The series is being co-sponsored by Cardinal News.
Akin to Live Aid or Farm Aid, included in the Blue Ridge Holler series is a free benefit concert on Nov. 24 at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke. FRIENDS invites all musicians to share their talents on stage in a 20-minute set. FRIENDS is funding all production expenses and, if needed, musicians’ travel costs.
Additional Blue Ridge Holler concerts in the series will be scheduled events at partner venues that have agreed to generously donate a portion of ticket sales to hurricane relief. Throughout the series, donations will be requested from audiences in attendance as well as those tuning in to a free live-stream for each event.
The schedule so far features:
- Thursday, Nov. 21 (Grandin Theatre): Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast, with Florencia & The Feeling
- Sunday, Nov. 24 (Jefferson Center) FRIENDS benefit concert
- Friday, Nov. 29 (5 Points Music Sanctuary) Phat Laces
- Saturday, Nov. 30 (Floyd Country Store) Lonesome River Band with special guests Allen Mills, Jeff Midkiff, Junior Sisk & More
FRIENDS invites other venues and artists to be part of the 10-day Blue Ridge Holler series with performances either in-person or pre-recorded via livestream. All money raised will go to Blue Ridge communities in Virginia and North Carolina that have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. Specifically, funding will go towards rebuilding community assets aligned with FRIENDS’ mission of celebrating the region’s unique culture, natural beauty, and quality of life.
“This might mean funds and volunteer support to rebuild recreational areas, parks, playgrounds, trails, artist studios and music venues,” said executive director Julie Whalen. “Thankfully, there are several organizations and federal agencies in place to help with health and human services, and we encourage folks to support them. We feel best equipped to help rebuild with direction from our volunteer chapters already in impacted Blue Ridge communities in ways that align our strengths and mission.”
Contact:
Julie Whalen, Executive Director
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge
http://blueridgefriends.org
julie_whalen@friendsbrp.org