NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

An East Nashville acoustic benefit concert for Haitian Earthquake Victims
January 28th 6:30pm at Nuvo Burrito

Nashville’s ‘Intimate Concert Series’ spearheads benefit show partnering with locally-owned Nuvo Burrito and the Nashville First Church of the Nazarene

EAST NASHVILLE, TN- (January 20th, 2010) – On January 28th at 6:30pm, the owners of Nuvo Burrito will co-host a benefit concert with Nashville’s Intimate Concert Series’ (ICS) to raise relief aid for Haitian Earthquake Victims. All money raised (via a $5 suggested donation at the door and 50% of the entire day's sales) will be donated to the Nashville First Church of the Nazarene’s (NFCN) relief effort in Haiti. Along with live music from Garth Michael McDermott, Erin Manning and Kevin So, the evening will feature passed appetizers - though the full menu (food and drinks) will also be available to order from. Neighbors Helping Neighbors merchandise will be available for donations to the event, as well as direct donations to the NFCN Haiti Relief Fund and Doctors Without Borders.

The lights will be dimmed and an intimate listening environment will be created as part of an artist-centric, audience-engaging performance space designed to illuminate a gathering for the timeliest of causes. With so many important organizations to choose from, we realize that anyone attending our grass-roots local event is to be honored. We believe in the power of community, and this is an issue with urgency for anyone in Nashville to come together for. Great music, great food, and for a great cause is reason enough to attend!

Yes, this benefit concert is taking place at a burrito shop, but Nashville’s ICS wouldn’t have it any other way. Garth Michael McDermott (local independent singer/songwriter) and Teresa Barker (music therapist) created the Intimate Concert Series (ICS), as a MOBILE concert event that takes place at different Nashville locations each month designed to support local songwriters, local businesses and local charities. They carefully choose the MUSIC, the VENUE, and the CAUSE and put on a show to help get the word out about all three.

Sometimes the show takes place at a traditional live music venue, but it doesn’t have to. In fact, this is the 2nd show the ICS has done with Nuvo Burrito – the first one took place last November at their restaurant, while benefiting local charity, Miriam’s Promise, a parent and adoption services agency. Owners Sean Perry and Tom Justice donated a percentage of all sales during the event directly to Miriam’s Promise. With Nashville being home to thousands of independent artists and songwriters looking for “listening room” venues to showcase their music, and many locally-owned businesses and non-profit organizations right here in our neighborhood who are typically operating with smaller-scale marketing budgets – the ICS was created as a vehicle for all three entities to help each other. Everyone shares in the promotion of the show, and benefits from the exposure - with proceeds going to a great cause! What is created is an intimate evening and gathering of amazing music, food and performances - for the best of reasons.

“Even though there are dozens of writer’s nights all over town, I found there were very few that were actual listening rooms – where the room was set up to ensure the performers were seen and heard in the best of lights, says ICS co-organizer and singer/songwriter, Garth Michael McDermott. And when you really break it down, it’s not about the venue; it’s about the atmosphere you create. And that can happen anywhere.”

Teresa Barker, ICS co-organizer, believed Garth was onto something – and expanded on the concept and reasoning behind a “mobile concert series.” “As a transplant to Nashville, it was imperative to me to find and connect to my local community. ICS provides me with the opportunity to connect, and even create community, which feeds my soul.”

Join Nashville’s Intimate Concert Series and the Nashville First Church of the Nazarene this January 28th at Nuvo Burrito for an intimate evening of great music and great food for an urgent cause. The concert will be held 6:30-8:30 pm and will feature original music performed by Kevin So, Erin Manning, and Garth Michael McDermott.

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For more information on Nashville’s Intimate Concert Series visit http://www.intimateconcertseries.com
For more information on Nuvo Burrito visit www.nuvoburrito.com
For more information on the Nashville First Church of the Nazarene visit: http://www.nfcn.org