Tag Archives: tornado relief efforts

BAMA Rising benefit concert announced for June 14

BAMA Rising Concert logoRandy Owen and Teddy Gentry of Country Hall of Fame band Alabama were among those present at the BJCC Arena Club to announce BAMA RISING, a benefit concert for Alabama tornado relief taking place at the BJCC Arena on June 14.

Proceeds will benefit the BAMA RISING Fund for statewide tornado recovery being maintained by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham (CFGB). Randy Owen and CFGB president Kate Nielsen shared the following comments after the conference. You’ll also hear comments from Birmingham mayor William Bell and a personal story from Owen shared during this morning’s announcement.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC1Dv-zHlwY?hd=1&w=625]

This is the third fund being administered by the CFGB for tornado recovery efforts; the first ones were announced on May 5 just before the identity of the winner of the Prize2TheFuture idea competition was unveiled. The band contacted civic leaders in Birmingham a few days after the April 27 tornadoes offering to help with raising awareness and funds for relief efforts.

Among the acts they’ve reached out to to participate in the fundraising event: Rodney Atkins, Sheryl Crow, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler & Darius Rucker. Bo Bice and Taylor Hicks have also committed to the event. They plan to announce more acts via the event website as they are confirmed.

Art Connection is on, some artists donating proceeds

MCAC 2011 posterWe’ve received several phone calls about whether or not the ONB Magic City Art Connection will take place this weekend. According to their fan page on Facebook, not only is the event still taking place this weekend, but several of the participating artists plan on donating portions of their proceeds to area charities helping those affected by the tornadoes.

Two charities that have been mentioned specifically on the page are the Birmingham-Jefferson American Red Cross chapter and the Craft Emergency Relief Fund.

If you’re an artist and plan on donating proceeds from sales this weekend, we’d love to create a list via our comments section.

Crawfish Boil on as well

Another major event taking place in downtown Birmingham this weekend is the Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil, taking place adjacent to the BJCC complex. They’ve announced that donation barrels will be located throughout the festival site.