PADUCAH, KY – On June 9th, the music goes on as renowned musicians and visual artists gather to benefit the families affected by the January 23rd shooting at Marshall County High School through the Marshall Strong Rotary Fund.
“Noon to Midnight: Rock for a Cause” will be held at Paducah Beer Werks on 4th Street in Paducah and will feature a string of concerts from ten different musical groups and solo artists. Paducah Beer Werks is sponsoring the event and is planning menu specials for the whole family, so all ages are welcome. Corresponding with the festivities will be a Silent Art Auction, featuring donated artworks from both world-renowned and local artists like Ian Berry, Karen Marchetti, John Hasegawa, and Jason Hargrove.
The Marshall Strong Rotary Fund supports victims and their families with monetary donations and honors the memories of Bailey Holt and Preston Cope through two separate scholarship funds in their names. Additionally, the Marshall County Rotary Club assists with community youth programs which directly support all the students affected by the shooting.
Event organizer Michelle Thompson, whose daughter underwent surgery after taking a bullet in the knee, says the idea for the event came from an outpouring of support in Paducah. Friends, neighbors, and coworkers asked “What can we do?” and this event provides a way for the community to gather together to help out. Thompson and her daughter have been planning “Rock for a Cause” for months as a way to help other families directly impacted by the shooting: “This is community supporting neighboring community and I’m so proud to be a part of it,” Michelle says.
As Registration Coordinator for the American Quilter’s Society, Michelle has been met with a flood of support from artists. UK artist Ian Berry, whose denim art was featured at AQS QuiltWeek – Spring Paducah in April and quilt artist Karen Marchetti of Florida, whose quilts have won numerous awards at AQS QuiltWeek events, each approached Michelle with donations of their artwork. “It’s amazing to see the love and support from people across the globe,” says Michelle. Along with fiber arts, there will be ceramics, photography, metal work, and more among the items up for bid. The silent auction runs from 12 p.m. (noon) until 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 9th.
All are invited to join together for a night of artistry and community in support of their neighbors.
