4th Annual Fundaiser @ Junkyard Blues

From the first Blues for Autism fundraiser, Junkyard Blues has been a sponsor and committed supporter each year, staging a live music concerts and calling on it's large group of Dawgs & Dawgettes, and it's core of volunteers, the REAL Junkyard Blues Dreamgirls.

This year Kiff Clutterbuck & Dina Petty continued their tradition with a Saturday night concert starring English Jazz & Blues singer Gina Gracemount. Naturally, the Blues for Autism team was there with founder Magi McBride and event organizer Dillon Janus.

The concert and fundraiser all came together beautifully with people counts running above 70 all night. At one point the count went up to 80, spread across the Junkyard's two sim club area.

Before the fundraiser began, DJ Luci Bergbahn mixed heart felt remarks about autism and Blues for Autism with her fantastic Saturday night set.

This year's fundraiser concert was a little later in the evening than in the past, and among the people who gathered early where Dina, Magi (back row, blue dress) and Kiff. Far right in tux is organizer Dillon Janus.

Lively Gina Gracemount opened the show, bringing her English charm and specially blended set of songs to the Junkyard.

I counted 78 people in the Yard as Gina sang a deep, slow, sexy rendition of "The Beat Goes On". Gina who was new to the Junkyard showed remarkable talent.

Dina kept an eye on the BFA Kiosk as it swelled with donations, due in large measure to Reno Troncon who rarely chats in open chat, but on this night was the champion leading the call for donations. Bravo Reno!

Gina not only brought her talent to the Junkyard, she helped drive the donations. The largest donation of the night was L$30,000. Bravo!

Each year as the Junkyard Blues fundraiser draws near, everyone involve becomes nervous, nervous about how the economy will impact donations and if our bluesy family will continue to give as generously has they have in the past. And each year we are amazed when the fundraiser beats the previous year. However, beating last year's total, which smashed the previous year would be hard. Last year, Aurora Chadborne led the effort which reached L$105,000. At the time, everyone felt this might be an all time record.

This year's Junkyard Blues fundraiser raised an awesome L$117,431.

Thank you to Kiff & Dina and the bluesy community at Junkyard Blues! Special thanks to Gina Gracemount for giving of her time and talent to make this yet another record breaking year for Blues for Autism.

Blues for Autism grand total thus far: L$259,446

Next event is Tuesday, April 12th with ZZ Top and a Beach Babe contest, please check the Event Schedule for full details.