Five bands confirmed to perform with returning celebrity emcee Cerphe Colwell

Leesburg, Va. (August 7, 2018) BENEFIT, Loudoun’s coalition of musicians and community leaders, has announced its 2018 concert to benefit Loudoun’s charities on September 22 from 2 pm to 8 pm. Legendary Washington DC dee-jay, author, and host of Music Planet Radio Cerphe Colwell will emcee the event. Five local bands have been confirmed to perform. The musicians were selected for their style, sound, and performance quality, and they have each agreed to donate their performance to raise funds and awareness for participating charities. Some will also donate an additional performance in the coming year for a charity fundraiser in Loudoun.
Each of the following bands, whose styles include rock, acoustic, Motown, blues, and funk will perform a 60-minute set on the main stage at the concert. Confirmed bands include:

• Big Bad Juju
• Frayed Knots
• John Schreiner
• Julie Says No
• The Voodoo Blues

“What we want Loudouners to know about this event is, it’s very different from other live shows and events in the County. Besides the rocking sounds from the main stage, we will also feature incredible music on a second stage featuring some of Loudoun’s best emerging local artists from Half King Studios in Leesburg and Loudoun Youth’s Battle of the Bands. Plus, concert goers can visit our Nonprofit Village featuring many of the local charities that work hard to serve Loudoun’s communities in need. Concertgoers will have a chance to visit nonprofit tents to learn about their services, volunteer opportunities and/or make a donation,” said BENEFIT Co-Founder and Big Bad Juju lead singer Amy Bobchek.
As a result of the inaugural concert in 2017, BENEFIT granted $5,000 to five local nonprofits.
“BENEFIT sets the stage for the community to gather and discover how they can help in an open festive environment,” added BENEFIT Co-Founder and guitarist for Frayed Knots Ara Bagdasarian.

​Leesburg, Va. (Mar. 13, 2018) BENEFIT, Loudoun’s unique coalition of local musicians and community leaders, kicks off its second year by announcing the availability of five grants each valued at $1,000. The money, raised during last fall’s concert, is available to Loudoun nonprofits through a competitive and creative application process. Applications are due Thursday, April 12, 2018.

To qualify, applicants must be a 501 (c) 3 organization that provides services to Loudoun County residents. In addition to completing an online form, applicants must also submit a 30-second video that captures the essence of their mission and how they are making an impact in Loudoun. Grantees will be selected by a panel of BENEFIT volunteers, based on the content of the video, as well as the reach and impact of the nonprofit’s mission. The videos will then be shared by BENEFIT throughout the year on its social media platforms, to raise awareness and support for the nonprofit’s mission, and the greater mission of BENEFIT.
“The availability of these grants is a giant step forward for BENEFIT, toward the completion of one full cycle of our mission, which begins with our annual fundraising concert in September and ends with the awarding of grants to local nonprofits in May” says BENEFIT co-founder Ara Bagdasarian.

BENEFIT’s other co-founder Amy Bobchek adds, “This is just the beginning. We foresee BENEFIT playing an enduring, impactful role in Loudoun’s reconciliation of its shortfall in charitable giving. We know Loudouners have the compassion, and we know they have means. They just need the awareness and a little push.”

Grant applications and further instructions for submitting videos at www.benefit.live.

Festival to Raise Funds for Loudoun Nonprofits
Headliners include drumfish and Todd Wright

Leesburg, Va. (Sept. 11, 2017) BENEFIT, Loudoun’s new coalition of local musicians and community leaders, proudly announces long-time Washington D.C. deejay, Cerphe Colwell, will emcee the organization’s 2017 music festival, BENEFIT Loudoun, on September 16, 2017. The all-day music festival (3 pm – 8 pm) will be at the Village at Leesburg and is free and open to the public, all ages.
​
Cerphe (pronounced “Surf”) Colwell began his career more than 25 years ago on WHFS 102.3 radio, one of the first freeform stations in the United States. Cerphe helped promote the early careers of Bruce Springsteen, Lowell George, Tom Waits, Frank Zappa, and many other rock luminaries. Cerphe’s radio resume includes WAVA, DC101, WJFK, and current station Music Planet Radio. His memoir, Cerphe’s Up,(available on Amazon) details his life as a rock radio insider in rich detail, and includes previously unpublished photographs. His story includes promotion and friendship with a young unknown Bruce Springsteen, as well as his years at WHFS 102.3 as it blossomed in the freeform format.

In addition to northern Virginia rock band drumfish and Loudoun-based singer/songwriter Todd Wright, featured bands at the festival include Loudoun-based Big Bad JuJu, Frayed Knots, Juliana MacDowell and Half King Studio’s Emerging Artists.

Though tickets are free, concert goers will be able to purchase “BENEFIT Bucks” on site at a rate of $1.50 per Buck. BENEFIT Bucks can be used concert day in participating shops and restaurants at the Village at Leesburg, or as donations to nonprofits on site. For every $1.50 spent, BENEFIT will put 50 cents into a component fund operated by the Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties.

Participating restaurants and retailers currently include: Atomic Trampoline, Bean Bar, BodyBrite, Charming Charlie, Eggspectations, Rocket Fizz, Salon Montage, Smokehouse Live and Woodhouse Day Spa.
Sponsors include Village at Leesburg, Omnilert, Toth Financial, INMED, Staywell Home Care, Wegmans, Van Metre, Alimond Studio, Loudoun Now, and Music Planet Radio.
More information, including VIP Tent Tickets, available at www.benefit.live.

Leesburg, Va. (June 27, 2017) BENEFIT, Loudoun’s new coalition of local musicians and community leaders, is proud to announce Village at Leesburg has generously agreed to host the organization’s 2017 music festival, BENEFIT Loudoun, on September 16, 2017. The all-day music festival (2 pm – 7 pm) is free and open to the public, all ages.

“We take pride in partnering with BENEFIT to raise money for the Loudoun community. Loudoun County is our village, and we are excited for the opportunity to support it with this music festival,” said Staci Harris, Senior Director of Marketing for Village at Leesburg.

In addition to northern Virginia rock band drumfish and Loudoun-based singer/songwriter Todd Wright, featured bands include Big Bad JuJu, Frayed Knots, Juliana MacDowell and Half King Studio’s Emerging Artists. Though tickets are free, concert organizers are asking attendees to give in a variety of creative ways leading up to and during the festival, including purchasing BENEFIT Loudoun T-shirts, VIP Tent tickets, and other activities at the event. T-Shirts are available for purchase on the BENEFIT.Live website starting today.

“We are extremely grateful for the support from Village at Leesburg. This venue is ideal in that it’s already set-up to accommodate an outdoor concert, with built-in food and drink vendors and ample parking. We are excited to have their partnership in this event, as well as the support from many other sponsors including Toth Financial, Construction Bonds, Loudoun Now and my own company, Omnilert,” said BENEFIT co-founder Ara Bagdasarian.
Sponsorships are also available at www.benefit.live.