This weekend, the North Shore United Way will produce a fundraiser — and "friendraiser" — in Ipswich, featuring a performance by the Jen Thayer Band.
The second annual NSUW Rocks II event will take place Saturday from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at the Mansion at Turner Hill in Ipswich. Proceeds from the event will go to support the North Shore United Way's annual campaign that raises money to support more than 40 local agencies, such as Beverly Bootstraps, the Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition and Cape Ann Food Pantry.
A poor economy combined with a rise in unemployment and cuts in services have led to compelling needs on the North Shore, according to Margo Casey, NSUW's executive director.
"I've seen people at the food pantries I've never seen before because so many people are unemployed," Casey said, adding that NSUW's human services grants help more than 22,000 adults and children on the North Shore.
The Jen Thayer Band, from southern Maine, plays blues, funk, rock and soul covers.
Turner Hill provided the facility at a discount, according to Casey, as did the band.
Tickets are $25. There will also be a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres.
Tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call 978-922-3966 or go to www.nsuw.org.
Cats and Pigs, oh my
Tonight, The Scaredy Cats will slink into In a Pig's Eye Restaurant in Salem, where they'll perform lots of "little-known or one-hit wonders," according to Rich Marino, the trio's bassist.
The band plays acoustic versions, or stripped-down acoustic versions, of songs from the 1950s up to the present day, such as "Falling in Love" by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds; "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees; and "The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace. Members also harmonize on Beatles' tunes and others, Marino said.
Marino is from Beverly, as are The Scaredy Cats' other members, guitarist Paul Carr — formerly of Paul and Kemp — and drummer Danny Vitale, who used to be the lead singer for The Movers.
Marino said the band doesn't mind when the audience sings along; in fact, they encourage it.
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Staff writer Larry Claflin Jr. writes his music notes column regularly. Contact him at lclaflin@salemnews.com or 978-338-2681.
