Harvey aid: Delaware musicians plan benefit show for Texas

Songs of the Grateful Dead will fill the air Friday night as local musicians take the stage at The Queen to raise money for Houston residents affected by Hurricane Harvey.

“Wake of the Flood” will feature 25 members of the Brandywine Valley Musicians Guild, all veterans of previous Shine A Light benefit concerts at the venue. LIVE NATION, who recently took over operations at The Queen in downtown Wilmington, quickly embraced the idea.

“Not only do we have corporate offices in Houston but we also have empathy for the people impacted by this horrific event” said general manager Trenton Banks. “We as a community wanted to help and it’s great that we can use live music to aid in the efforts to help the city of Houston rebuild.”

All proceeds from ticket sales, including the often dreaded processing fees, will be donated to the Houston area Red Cross.

“LIVE NATION really came through to make sure we have the best possible event and fund raising potential” said event producer Rob Grant.

No strangers to Dead tributes and fund raising, Grant and co-producer Kevin McCabe help put on Dead Fest, an annual fundraiser for the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, and in 2015 helped produce a night of Dead music at Arden Gild Hall to help raise funds needed for a new kitchen there.

“While the musicians come from many different bands and genres we are playing an evening of Grateful Dead, in part because there are many references to Texas in their music, and they are typically a crowd pleaser” McCabe said. The night will consist of musicians rotating in and out to create a different line-up for each song. “They’re not the guys that normally play together, so it’s a different kind of energy and the crowd really seems to love it” Grant said.

Attendees are encouraged to wear cowboy hats, and there will be a “pass the hat” competition in which the person who collects the most cash in their hat will win concert tickets and other prizes. There will also be a mechanical bull where for $20 fans will be challenged to hang on to those hats as they try to ride as long as they can. In addition, Texas-based Tito’s Homemade Vodka will be offering the $5 “Texas Tie Dye” specialty drink for those of age, with all sales going toward the relief effort.

Tickets, which are $25 for GA standing room and $60 for seats in the balcony, can be purchased at thequeenwilmington.com.