The time has come to abandon your inhibitions and channel your inner MCA for Deep Thinka Records’ upcoming “Being Beastie” fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
After successfully hosting their “Being BIG” fundraiser and cancer awareness benefit in March, local producer-promoters Damon Bodine and Tony Caferro will be continuing the series with another round on September 7 at Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar on Allen Street. After battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma for one year and subsequently moving into remission, Bodine chose to dedicate his life to promoting blood cancer awareness. With the passing of Beastie Boys’ founder Adam Yauch in May of this year after a nearly three-year battle with cancer, it only seemed right to dedicate the next fundraiser to his band’s legacy.
“Being BIG was so successful that we wanted to figure out where to go with it next,” said Caferro. “In the wake of Beastie Boys founder MCA’s untimely passing after his own bout with cancer, Damon and I both agreed it was a good time to pay tribute to one of the most popular musical groups in history…and Being Beastie was born.”
The fundraiser is set to kick off at 10 p.m., with performances lasting all night. Vocalists will be backed by local DJs Rhubarb and Cutler, as well as a live band. There is no deadline for signing up and those who wait until they arrive at the show to drum up enough courage to go onstage will still be welcome to take the mic. However, it is recommended that you sign up early so that you can get dibs on your favorite Beasties’ track (interested performers are asked to pick their top three song choices). Anyone is welcome to stop by the DTR office, located at 604 Hertel, to set up an appointment to rehearse their performance with the DJs before they take the stage at the fundraiser.
Some of the artists on the DTR label will also be taking the stage that night, including Billy Drease Williams and Mad Dukez. Dressing in full Beastie Boys attire is not required of performers, but it is highly recommended. “It’s just a lot of fun and non-stop entertainment,” said Juliana Wojcik of DTR. “You don’t have to be a performer, per se. There are some familiar faces that you’ve seen around Buffalo that go up to do a song. You and your friends can do it, too. It’s for a really awesome cause.”
Bodine, who has been working relentlessly at raising money for cancer research, will be co-hosting the event and taking donations at the door. “We want to raise as much money for leukemia and lymphoma and create another positive event that contributes to the nightlife of Buffalo, New York,” he said.
There will be a $5 cover to attend the show, with all proceeds being donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Those who can’t make it to the event can still donate by visiting www.liveforacure.com. To sign up for a performance slot, email being.signup@gmail.com. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.