[Poster courtesy of The Union]

By Julia Weber, Editorial Director

Local music venue The Union will host their annual fundraiser Benefest tonight through Saturday.

Over the course of three days, 18 artists will take the stage to fundraise for Stuart’s Opera House’s afterschool music program and community peer support program The Gathering Place.

For Ginger Schmalenberg, Executive Director of peer-run community support program The Gathering Place, Benefest is an opportunity to do much-needed community outreach while simultaneously celebrating a good cause with local music.

“Benefest has been this huge little thing for us,” she said. “The money does benefit our music program and other programming. … We have some wonderful equipment—guitars, monitors, speakers, microphones, drums—it really helps us continue to update our instruments.”

Read more: George Harrison shares 50th anniversary edition of Living in The Material World

The peer-run community support program is non-clinical, so their programming focuses on holistic health and wellness programs that uplift and support community members experiencing mental illness or substance use disorder. Many of their support programs incorporate forms of music, arts and movement.

Proceeds from the festival are divided between The Gathering Place and the Afterschool Music Program (AMP) at Stuart’s Opera House. Both programs fulfill a crucial role in bringing music education to groups who might not have access to it otherwise.

According to their website, AMP provides students with “crucial out-of-school arts enrichment that incorporates musical components with other artistic disciplines.”

They welcome 12 to 21-year-old students of all skill levels to join the program and learn to engage in musical experiences in group settings.

“The program’s goal is to provide an enlivening opportunity to work together as a team, celebrate diversity and creativity with kids by teaching basic music skills, and giving them hands-on experience with all instruments,” the website stated.

In addition to the fundraising, Benefest familiarizes community members with these programs, and provides an opportunity for leaders from both organizations to share their stories and connect with audiences.

“It’s so impactful when all these musicians come together and it’s also an opportunity for me to speak in front of an audience that sometimes I don’t get an opportunity to,” Schmalenberg said.

She explained that because the demographic of the audience tends to be primarily young adults, it gives her a valuable opportunity to reach individuals who might struggle with mental illness or substance use but do not know how to access support.

“There’s a lot of stigma out there, so it’s an opportunity for us to be able to bust that stigma of what mental illness is and isn’t.”

Over the course of three nights, Benefest will see sets from various artists at The Union. Admission is $10 per night, or a weekend pass can be purchased for $25. Advance tickets are available for purchase or can be purchased at the door after 7 p.m. each night.