The show will feature local bands VONTUS, The Dependents and singer/songwriter Bridgette Guerrette. The idea for the benefit was arranged with the help of Michael Brooks, booking agent/father of two VONTUS band members, and Matt McCabe of Saratoga Guitar, who came up with the idea to benefit the FCC by having attendees bring canned goods to gain entry rather than money for tickets.
“I was involved in a project with FCC last fall, and it’s a nice organization in the middle of town—it’s one of those unspoken, quiet hero nonprofits in how it works in the community,” McCabe said. “[Mike] wanted to do something to benefit an organization, so it was a real easy call for us.”
“Each artist in this show has been blessed with some pretty early success, and we get to do something we all love to do,” said Jake Brooks, lead singer and bassist for VONTUS. “We’ve had amazing support from our parents and our community and we thought this would be a fun way to give back.”
Bo Goliber, coordinator of development and volunteers at the FCC, said she thinks these teenagers should be applauded for their efforts to help out their community.
“I think high school kids don’t always get the recognition they deserve for wanting to do good,” Goliber said. “We so often hear negative things about teenagers these days, but I think it’s awesome that these groups of kids are real bands and a real business, selling concert tickets and participating in Battle of the Bands—I think it’s awesome.”
“People who have heard [these bands] realize they are competing with real acts, and all these acts are at the top of their game and serious talent,” said two VONTUS members’ father, Mike Brooks. “And we love it because we are watching them doing what they love, and not sitting at home playing Playstation.”
McCabe said people of all ages can come out to see the show, which will mix Christmas music with rock and roll, at Saratoga Music Hall.
“They’re great kids that are very talented, and it’s nice to have a facility that kids can go to without worrying about the bar scene,” McCabe said. “Parents take part with the kids and it’s nice to see them with the kids and enjoying each other’s company and the bands.”
Saratoga Guitar will be on hand at the concert to give away a free guitar to the winner of a drawing that will take place at the show, and local radio station 100.3 The Point will have a van outside where attendees can bring their non-perishable food items.
“Our goal is to fill the van full with food,” McCabe said. “You can bring one can or a whole grocery bag full, and before you walk in you can go to the van and drop in your food and they’ll stamp your hand, so you get access to show that way.”
Goliber said the FCC is grateful for the community’s efforts to provide canned goods in a time when the pantry is running low on food.
“We just want people to know how thankful we are for the continued support we are getting from our community,” she said.
The concert will take place at Saratoga Music Hall (474 Broadway, above City Hall) December 14 from 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Bring one or more non-perishable food items to gain entry to the show.
Opening Act: The Dependents, won third place at SPAC’s Battle of the Bands. Band Members: Jocelyn Arndt, 17, lead singer, keyboardist and is a senior; Evan Searles, 15, drums, freshman; Chris Arndt, lead guitar, vocals, junior. All are students at Fort Plain High School. Valerie Hoffman is 16, plays bass and is a junior at Canajoharie High School.
Second Act: 17-year-old Singer/Songwriter, Bridgette Guerrette, of Latham who is a senior at Shaker High School.
Third Act: Vontus, won second place at SPAC’s Battle of the Bands. Band Members: Jake Brooks, 17, bassist, lead singer, and junior at Saratoga Springs High School; Johnny Gravitt, 15, lead guitarist and Josh Morris, 15, drums and vocals, both of whom are freshmen at Queensbury Union Free High School. Joining VONTUS, as they do for bigger shows, is a very talented horn section called The UniqHORNS: featuring Mike Parish, 17, Saxophone; Adam Marino, 15, trumpet; and Charlie McCabe, 17, on trombone – all of whom attend Saratoga Springs High School.
