Local acts give reason to give this weekend

Local Richmond talent is coming
out in full force this weekend-and
for a good cause.

Gallery 5 will open its doors to a
cornucopia of artistic acts this Friday
hosting “Show Some Love for Kellie
Brown: A Benefit.” The event was
organized for Brown, who was forced
to withdraw from VCU after having
an emergency appendectomy in late
September. Brown was uninsured and,
incurring a $10,000 bill for physician’s
fees and hospitalization, was forced to
drop all of her VCU classes just a few
semesters shy of graduation.

The set list, spanning a spectrum of
genres, is long and varied.

The Gaskets, a duo at its core
with a number of musical cameos,
is described as “pop, electronica and
rock.” Front men Teddy Blanks and
Ross Harman have toured New York
and Washington D.C., and have a wide
Richmond fan base. The Gaskets have
played with major acts, including the
Violent Femmes.

The benefit also will have a seasoning
of international flare and hip-shaking
beats. The Richmond Afrobeat
Movement, known for its audience
participation and its main influence,
the world-renowned musician Fela
Anikulapo-Kuti, will add its funk/latin/
jazz/soul fusion to the mix.

For those who prefer pounding bass
and a turntable to an electric guitar,
two disc jockeys will be featured at the
benefit. Hailing from Alexandria, DJ
Throdown is a familiar name on Richmond
playbills. A former member of the
Echoboomers, a hip-hop group known
to play venues in Richmond and in
Northern Virginia, Throdown describes
his hip-hop sound as “tribal.”

Also on the Throdown list of
achievements is having the opportunity
to share the stage with MC Chris (of
Aqua Teen Hunger Force fame) and
members of the iconic rap group, the
Wu-Tang Clan.

DJ Mordecai will be teaming up with
the B.O.C.A. Crew, a “b-boy” team
from Virginia Beach. The B.O.C.A.
Crew’s break-dancing techniques will
supplement the musical stylings of
DJ Mordecai, who has played many
parties and venues in Richmond, in
addition to other locations on the
East Coast.

Attendees also will get a dose of
dance of a slightly different variety. The
Sweet Tease Burlesque, whose name
speaks for itself, consists of dance and
choreography whose colorful names
range from “Lady Who?” to “Scona,” a
gypsy queen, and “Eros,” whose name
speaks for itself.

In addition to the $10 entrance fee,
the benefit plans to raise money through
a silent auction featuring works by local
artists. All proceeds of a new/gently
used clothing sale also will go toward
Brown’s medical expenses.

Gallery 5 is located at 200 W. Marshall
St. The show is for ages 18+ and will
begin at 7 p.m.