Gadi’s Bar & Grill – 12/14/19
By Noe Gutierrez
Greg Gendron is at it once more in the name of animal rights. This Saturday, December 14th at 2 p.m. at Gadi’s Bar and Grill 56193 29 Palms Highway in Yucca Valley, music artists from the Low and High Deserts will come together to raise money for Animal Authority Rescue Team (A.A.R.T.), a veteran-owned and operated nonprofit organization providing emergency and non-emergency services to any and all animals, the Morongo Basin Humane Society (M.B.H.S.), a no-kill animal shelter and Animal Action League (A.A.L.), an organization that actively promotes spaying and neutering to help alleviate the suffering that being unwanted brings to dogs and cats.
The FREE and ALL-AGES event will feature several styles of music including Acoustic, Alternative, Rock, Punk and Metal. There is a suggested donation of $10 but no one will be turned away, any amount will be gladly appreciated. 100% of all donations go to the High Desert organizations.
The local line-up of artists is diverse enough to attract a wide-ranging crowd. Gendron agreed, “This is an all-ages community event, so there will be something for everybody from soft and mellow to Hard Rock later in the evening. All of the artists are donating their time and talents for the cause.”
Each nonprofit benefiting from the event will be on-hand. Gendron shared, “A.A.R.T., A.A.L., and M.B.H.S. will be there with their own booths answering questions and providing information about what they do and services they offer.”
The organizations rely on donations and community support. In choosing the beneficiaries for the event, Gendron stayed close to his heart. He shared, “I care deeply for animals. I have always had pets since I was a child, and currently have 3 rescues (2 dogs and 1 cat) that are my kids, my family. I am saddened daily by the inundation of stories, posts, and articles on Facebook about torture, neglect, kill shelters and lost pets.”
Earlier this year, Gendron facilitated a benefit to raise funds for Champion the dog, a pit bull mix in Joshua Tree who was brutally beaten and shot in the face. That event raised over $1,200 to help pay for surgeries and further follow-up care. By all accounts, Champion is doing well and thriving in the High Desert.
Gendron finds it important to give back and has found his calling in helping animals. He shared, “I personally have a soft spot for animals. I have my own past dysfunction and life experiences that drive me to help however I can. All the bands are gladly donating their time and performance to this cause.”
ARTIST LINEUP:
KRISTEN MARIE HOLLY (Acoustic) – 2 p.m.
SINISTER SOUL MINISTER (Acoustic) – 3 p.m.
DANA LARSON (Acoustic) – 4 p.m.
EMPTY SEAT (Acoustic) – 5 p.m.
THE CMFS (Alternative Rock) – 6 p.m.
SILVER SKY (Rock) – 7 p.m.
DETERMINIZED (Metal) – 8 p.m.
STICKY DOLL (Industrial Punk) – 9 p.m.
We spoke with several event performers to get their viewpoints on animal rights and the benefit.
The CMFs
“We’ve never been in disagreement of doing benefits in our course of performing, even those for animals. In the past, we’ve played for animal benefits and it’s extraordinary to see the amount of support received towards the cause. Compared to us doing benefits for middle school students, band equipment or anything else, the overall number of supporters for animals outnumbers those profusely. In our opinion, that says a lot about how people think of our animal friends. Also, with a dog being our band’s mascot, Chaka would prefer that we help his brethren.”
Determinized
“We are honored to be playing this amazing event for a great cause. We have seen what good the A.A.R.T., A.A.L., and M.B.H.S. have done for our animals and pets in need and we would like to give back to these teams by donating our time to play at this benefit.”
Silver Sky
“We are honored to help support a good cause, to help out animals in need, and to play a good show with a bunch of other great local bands.”
Kristen Marie Holly
“As a life-long animal lover and rescuer, it’s an honor to contribute to fundraising for animal non-profit organizations. When a charity’s mission statement brings tears to my eyes, like the A.A.R.T.’s does, when my heart is touched, I know it is a cause worth supporting. The several rescue animals I’ve had throughout my life have been the ones to actually ‘rescue’ me, over and over again, with their licks, cuddles, purrs, and pure unconditional love, asking nothing in return. Animals have so much to teach us about love if we let them. To have the opportunity to play at a venue as stellar as Gadi’s in the middle of one of the most magical places on earth is just icing on the cake.”
Empty Seat
“Animals are part of the Empty Seat family. Nobody should ever mistreat animals. They are not just pets, they become part of your extended family. If you have ever raised a small baby animal from, they feel you’re the parent, you are their pack. The more you comprehend that and make that loving connection you will truly understand. We love animals. This benefit is a feel-good show. We need to love them and find them good homes. We are happy to contribute to the solution.”
Learn more about the organizations below:
