Next Step Block Party Benefit 2016

During the summers I work at a few conferences/camps for an organization called Next Step - a non-profit organization that provides free year-round education and support programs for teens and young adults living with cancer, HIV and rare genetic disorders.  These camps create a safe community where young people living with these life threatening illnesses can learn essential life skills and to advocate for themselves, be empowered, and have fun with a group of peers who truly understand the unique challenges they are facing.  Recently one of my teachers, mentors, and good friends, Kimberly Khare has become their full time music therapist and it has been amazing to see the music therapy program at Next Step grow the past couple of years.  They have built a recording studio in their space in Central Square and the talented youth that are a part of these programs are writing amazing original music that tell their stories and express their truths.  

They charge the youth absolutely nothing to attend these camps/programs or to record in their recording studio - And one of the ways they are able to do this is with an annual fundraiser every year.  

This year their block party/fundraiser/celebration is on Friday, March 18 from 6:30-10:30 inside the Walker Memorial Building on the MIT Campus in Cambridge, MA

I am once again pumped to be a part of the house band for this event.  We play a mix of old classic pop tunes (such as Stevie Wonder & Michael Jackson) to current pop/top 40 tunes:

Lorrie Kubicek - Vocalist & Dancer

Kim Zunner - Vocalist & Dancer

Adam Sankowski - Drummer 

Samantha Hale - LBass

Caryl Beth Thomas - Vocalist & Keyboard

Mike Simonelli - Lead Guitar

Kimberly Khare - Vocalista, Guitar & Keys

(I'm pretty sure this was during "Don't Stop Believing" last year)

There'll also be food trucks and local craft beer, mini-basketball, raffles, and other stuff as well.

TICKETS

much love,

Mike