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Next Best Thing: Indie Music Charity Concert Series

Rye Brook DJ wants to introduce people to new artists while raising funds for local charities.

 

Chris Bro, a DJ and stay-at-home dad, wants to make sure you’re not treading water, at least as far as music goes. 

"There's nothing wrong with Led Zeppelin, I listen to them all the time," he said. "You just have to expand your horizons."

That’s why Bro has created the Next Charity Concert Series, a showcase of up-and-coming local bands and singer-songwriters, which will take place at Paulies Bar and Grill in Pleasantville the second Friday of every month, beginning on June 10. The upcoming show features Derek James from Brooklyn, who plays rock, rockabilly and swing, and Stephen Wright-Mark, from New York City, who plays alternative music, powerpop and rock.

Thanks to the sponsorship of area businesses, all of the money from the $10 admissions fee will benefit Gilda’s Club of Westchester, a cancer support organization named after the comedian Gilda Radner, and the Greyston Foundation, a Yonkers-based non-profit organization that helps low-income communities through social enterprise.

“I’m looking to do good through live music,” said Bro, a Rye Brook resident.

Bro, who has been a DJ in cities around the country and now has a radio show on 107.1 the Peak on Wednesday nights, chose those charities because they help people directly on a local level.

Gilda’s Club, for example, isn’t dedicated to funding research to find a cure for cancer but to helping people with the day-to-day issues cancer patients have to deal with.

“There’s a lot more going on when you get cancer. They can help find a nanny on Thursday afternoon when you have a doctor’s appointment,” he said.

The Greyston Foundation uses entrepreneurship to provide jobs and other services to low-income people. The Greyston Bakery in Yonkers is a for-profit business that provides jobs to “hard to employ” people, such as people who have been in jail. It also bakes all the brownies for Ben & Jerry’s.

Local businesses sponsoring the concert series include Grape d’Vine restaurant in Tappan, Q Restaurant in Port Chester, Captain Lawrence Brewery in Pleasantville, and Comb Vodka, a Port Chester small business that makes vodka distilled from honey.

Bro also recently created a website called All Things Next which was initially focused on sharing new music but has expanded to include movie and book reviews and recipes.

“Next is a nice little spot for like-minded individuals to get together,” Bro said. “Now we’re about finding your new favorite everything.”

The first Next Charity Concert is on Friday, June 10, at Paulie’s in Pleasantville. Doors open at 7 p.m., music begins at 8:30 p.m., bands should start at around 9:15 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door, which goes to charity. Drink specials. For more info, click here.

barry salottolo

7:45 am on Sunday, June 5, 2011

Great idea.
Barry
Youth Arts Forum

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Next Show

2:16 pm on Sunday, June 5, 2011

Thanks Barry. Hopefully we'll see you out at a show. Bring friends.

Good people. Good music. Good cause.

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Pam Landry

6:45 pm on Sunday, June 5, 2011

Keep up the great work Mr. Bro!

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Next Show

9:42 pm on Sunday, June 5, 2011

Thanks Pam. Appreciated greatly. Hopefully we get a lot of people to the shows. Not only for the great music but more people through the doors means we're helping the charities more.

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Jim Furlong

8:23 pm on Monday, June 6, 2011

Let me know if you find some bands that play country music or oldies, doo-wop, music like that. Thanks

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Steve I

8:50 pm on Monday, June 6, 2011

Chris, I am in a Port Chester/CT based Indie/Alternative Band. How can we submit our music to get considered for one of the show? We would love to play a great charity gig like the one you setup. Thanks.
-Steve
https://www.facebook.com/echostationmusic

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Co-Communications

11:16 am on Wednesday, June 8, 2011

I will be there and am bringing friends so be ready!!! I can't wait! Thanks, Chris Bro!!!!!!!

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Next Show

12:32 pm on Wednesday, June 8, 2011

rilliant Kat make sure to say Hi on Friday. Thanks for bringing friends.

Thanks for your interest Steve. I think you found me and we'll talk. See you Friday? Musicians should support other musicians right?

Jim stop by Friday I think you'll be surprised. Plus did you read the article? It's all about expanding your musical horizons and helping out 2 great charities. Surely that later point would be enough to at least check out the music. No?

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