Wall Street Rocks Amagansett
Wall Street will rock the Stephen Talkhouse on Saturday, as music virtuosos from the business sector come together to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project and ReserveAid.
In a clash of casual Friday clad professionals, Saturday’s Wall Street Rocks Battle of the Bands will feature three bands comprised of employees from across the financial, technology and entertainment industries. After the Battle of the Bands competition, two guest bands, C3 (The Chocolate Cuckoo Clocks) and Madame Mayhem, will take the stage to play sets.
“As always, we are excited to put on a lively and fun event that will raise money for our benefit charities, Wounded Warrior Project and ReserveAid,” says James Macedonio, an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley who is one of Wall Street Rocks’ founding members. Wall Street Rocks is a nonprofit organization with the collective goal of raising support and funds for America’s heroes.
The idea for a business sector Battle of the Bands was conceived last summer, as a few bands from different firms came together for an informal concert in New York. “To our surprise, the evening had a strong turnout of our friends and colleagues, and we realized we could utilize our relationships and talent for a bigger cause – supporting our country’s heroes,” says Macedonio.
The result was Wall Street Rocks Battle of the Bands, which held its first event at Irving Plaza in New York last fall. The night raised over $200,000, and the organizers are hoping to double that amount this year through a series of three competitions. The fundraising efforts kicked off with a sold-out first round battle at Mercury Lounge in New York on July 10. After passing through the Talkhouse, the final Battle of the Bands will be held in the city in December, where the winner of the Wall Street Rocks Battle of the Bands 2012 will be announced.
A New York tour may not be in a typical Wall Street job description, but the event exposes the suits’ wild side. Many call upon their inner, proverbial angst-ridden American adolescent, as they have always had the passion to perform.
“Music is a part of everyone’s lives, and talent can be found in any line of business,” says Macedonio. “However, quite often, there isn’t the opportunity for professionals to come together and channel their musical abilities for a great cause.”
The night promises to deliver an eclectic mix of sounds from established New York area bands who are devoted to the benefitting charities. The three competing bands include the Moroccan Sheepherders, whose sound ranges from tribal ambient trance to hardcore blues rock, The Subscribers, who span a variety of genres, and The Holiday Electric, who are influenced by rock, pop and progressive music.
“Wall Street Rocks provides a forum for bands to make a difference, and we look forward to engaging with people from all industries to support our country’s heroes,” says Macedonio.
The Wounded Warrior project supports service men and women who were injured in the line of duty, as they provide programs that help to ease the transition to civilian life. ReserveAid gives need-based grants to military families of reservist or National Guard members to help pay for such obligations as rent, utility bills or car payments.
Wall Street Rocks Battle of the Bands, Stephen Talkhouse, Amagansett. Begins at 6:30 p.m. General Admission tickets $75, VIP tickets include complimentary open bar, 6:30-8 p.m., hors d’oeuvres, access to the Wall Street Rocks after party, 10:30 p.m. – midnight at the Hampton Players Club and two complimentary tickets to the Wall Street Rocks’ final Battle of the Bands in December, $100. Food provided by La Parmigiana. Tickets can be purchased at wallstreetrocks.eventbrite.com
www.wallstreetrocks.org.