(Dec. 4, 2014) From the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh to 1985’s Live Aid and Farm Aid, benefit concerts with a conscience have been used to raise awareness – and money – for political and social causes for decades.
Hatched under a similar idea, the Lower Shore Land Trust’s “Get Bluegrass” concert is moving from Snow Hill to Berlin for its fourth annual event to be held Saturday from 6-11 p.m.
“This is our big winter fundraiser for the Lower Shore Land Trust,” Executive Director Kate Patton said. “I’m thrilled that we’re moving it to Berlin and we’re excited to share in the America’s Coolest Small Town theme.”
Patton said the fundraiser helps the Lower Shore Land Trust to expand programs that assist farmers and landowners.
“It really helps us identify and implement management practices that will reduce our nutrient and sediment runoff,” she said. “We also conduct educational programs about those benefits and how to improve waterways, protect wildlife habitats and really foster robust resource-based industries like forestry and farming.”
The programs also connect to tourism and offer economic benefits in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties, Patton said.
“We have a really great opportunity going into the next year or two to make that happen,” she said. “We’re finding a lot of support and this year we’ve been able to enhance our sponsorship.”
Patton is also excited about the music lineup, which will features the appropriately named Chester River Runoff and the Saltwater Stringband.
“Chester River Runoff have been doing a lot of private gigs this year so we haven’t seen them as much,” she said. “They’ve written some great songs and it’s almost like a homecoming for those of us who have followed them. Living here on the shore and raising families, they really get it. They really understand our Land Trust work and they really have a deep appreciation for this area.
“Saltwater Stringband is an evolving group with Nate Clendenen and Darin Engh and assorted characters that come and play,” Patton continued. “I think that the beauty of that group is that they’re musicians that have longstanding careers playing at the beach, but the passion of trying something new and experimenting with new instruments is really fun to watch.”
No strangers to bringing in special guests, Saltwater Stringband will be joined by dobro player Joe Esham during this year’s concert.
“It’s always a pleasure to play music for a good cause, and working to preserve and protect the Eastern Shore’s natural landscape is certainly a great cause,” Clendenen said. “The Get Bluegrass event is always a blast and a fun way to kick off the holidays here on the shore, not to mention getting a chance to see a now-rare performance by Chester River Runoff. It’s going to be a fun one.”
Silent auctions with items donated by local businesses, including quilts donated by Clendenen’s mom, also benefit the Lower Shore Land Trust.
“It’s really a great way to get out and kick up your heels, but support the land conservation work that we do in an environment that is just a good time,” Patton said.
Get Bluegrass will be held at the Berlin Fire Department at 214 North Main Street. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
For more information call 410-641-4467 or visit www.lowershorelandtrust.org.
Hatched under a similar idea, the Lower Shore Land Trust’s “Get Bluegrass” concert is moving from Snow Hill to Berlin for its fourth annual event to be held Saturday from 6-11 p.m.
“This is our big winter fundraiser for the Lower Shore Land Trust,” Executive Director Kate Patton said. “I’m thrilled that we’re moving it to Berlin and we’re excited to share in the America’s Coolest Small Town theme.”
Patton said the fundraiser helps the Lower Shore Land Trust to expand programs that assist farmers and landowners.
“It really helps us identify and implement management practices that will reduce our nutrient and sediment runoff,” she said. “We also conduct educational programs about those benefits and how to improve waterways, protect wildlife habitats and really foster robust resource-based industries like forestry and farming.”
The programs also connect to tourism and offer economic benefits in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties, Patton said.
“We have a really great opportunity going into the next year or two to make that happen,” she said. “We’re finding a lot of support and this year we’ve been able to enhance our sponsorship.”
Patton is also excited about the music lineup, which will features the appropriately named Chester River Runoff and the Saltwater Stringband.
“Chester River Runoff have been doing a lot of private gigs this year so we haven’t seen them as much,” she said. “They’ve written some great songs and it’s almost like a homecoming for those of us who have followed them. Living here on the shore and raising families, they really get it. They really understand our Land Trust work and they really have a deep appreciation for this area.
“Saltwater Stringband is an evolving group with Nate Clendenen and Darin Engh and assorted characters that come and play,” Patton continued. “I think that the beauty of that group is that they’re musicians that have longstanding careers playing at the beach, but the passion of trying something new and experimenting with new instruments is really fun to watch.”
No strangers to bringing in special guests, Saltwater Stringband will be joined by dobro player Joe Esham during this year’s concert.
“It’s always a pleasure to play music for a good cause, and working to preserve and protect the Eastern Shore’s natural landscape is certainly a great cause,” Clendenen said. “The Get Bluegrass event is always a blast and a fun way to kick off the holidays here on the shore, not to mention getting a chance to see a now-rare performance by Chester River Runoff. It’s going to be a fun one.”
Silent auctions with items donated by local businesses, including quilts donated by Clendenen’s mom, also benefit the Lower Shore Land Trust.
“It’s really a great way to get out and kick up your heels, but support the land conservation work that we do in an environment that is just a good time,” Patton said.
Get Bluegrass will be held at the Berlin Fire Department at 214 North Main Street. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
For more information call 410-641-4467 or visit www.lowershorelandtrust.org.