In case you weren't there, here's what happened:
We showed up at Googie's Lounge on December 10th, and were greeted by:
Gaines, our sound guy...
...and...
...Steph, our waitress. They were both very friendly and accommodating!
Then there was the music. Shanna Zell started things off. She sounded as lovely as she looked:
Shanna Zell is totally hot.After Shanna, we were treated to a sultry and rocking set by Abby Ahmad, who was joined onstage by the facially hirsute (though partially obscured) Mark Marshall.
That's Mark on guitar behind the piano, and Abby kicking ass and taking names up front.The talented and suddenly ill Jessi Robertson found herself unable to perform at the last minute (but has since recovered nicely)! In a stunning and heroic effort, Jeff Jacobson filled in, and was joined by Ryan Vaughn on the cajon and Jim McNamara on the upright bass. They were available on the fly, since both were there to play with me (Lara Ewen) anyway.
This is what a bunch of cool guys look like playing a surprise (for everyone) show. Please note the adorable pink gift bag from Flirt, Brooklyn and the goody bag from Alter in the foreground.
Since I was so busy taking pictures and then playing, I had no time to teach anyone how to use my stupidly complicated and obsolete digital camera. So no shots of me are available. However, instead, here's a gratuitous picture of my friend's puppy:
Her name is Li'l Baby Princess Herschell Gordon Lewis' Blood Feast.
Really.
Wrapping up the evening was the amazing Kelli Rae Powell, who was joined by everyone's favorite upright bassist, Jim McNamara.
They brought the house down.Of course, the whole night was about the raffle, too, naturally. Did I mentioned we raised over $200?!? $204, to be exact. If you'd like to show how much you appreciate everyone who donated something to the cause, please visit one or all of these links and tell them how awesome they are for being so charitable, because it's these donations that made the whole evening's take possible:
- $20 bar tab at Bar Matchless, courtesy of Larry Hyland
- $20 bar tab at Bar 4, courtesy of Larry Hyland
- Three songs in the #10 slot at Bar 4 open mike, courtesy of Tanya Buziak
- Flier design, courtesy of Jessi Robertson
- Social network account set up, courtesy of Jessi Robertson
- T-shirt and tote from Alter, Greenpoint's coolest clothing store
- Amber necklace, courtesy of Bartikowsky Jewelers
- Free Custom Myspace Profile, courtesy of Jeff Schram at SchramDesign.com
- $25 gift certificate from Flirt, Brooklyn
- Original art print by Emily Rawlings
- Custom poetry written for you by Laura Jean Binkley
- CDs from all the artists who performed this evening, as well as donated CDs from The Undisputed Heavyweights, Andy Mac and Galuminum Foil's compilation!
To get more information the event like this, or to find out how you can be a part of such an event, please email events@unstrungmusic.com and let me know how you'd like to help!
xoxo, Lara
