Friday, January 31, 2014

CLT honors Reed at children's hospital benefit

Charlotte musicians pay tribute to Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground Saturday at Neighborhood Theatre. It's not just the latest in a series of music legend-honoring local all-star concerts - organizers paid tribute to the Doors and Levon Helm earlier this year. Proceeds from the event benefit Levine Children's Hospital.

The benefit and tribute concert is spearheaded by Justin Fedor of the New Familiars and Ancient Cities, who put on the successful Doors tribute to benefit Levine following keyboardist Ray Manzarek's death last year. Many of the same musicians will participate in the Velvets/Reed tribute as well.

Fedor says he's witnessed the remarkable treatment friends and band mates' children have received from LCH. He also lost a friend to childhood leukemia at age 10 and has other friends whose children have struggled with the disease, so the issue is close to his heart.

If you aren't familiar with Charlotte's music scene these all-star tribute concerts are a way to get a taste of the musicianship and variety here while hearing songs you'll likely know. The concert will feature Ancient Cities, Sherman Hellville, Pullman Strike, Bums Lie, The Sammies, The Eyebrows, and Hectorina as well as a super jam featuring members of Temperance League, the New Familiars and others. This is actually the second tribute to Reed in the past two months. Another took place at Snug Harbor shortly after Christmas. Next to David Bowie, I might consider him the patron saint of Plaza Midwood (or in this case neighboring NoDa).

Admission to Saturday's concert is $10, but larger donations are certainly welcome. Show starts at 9 p.m.