In 1991 Dave Green, a Seattle native was in college in southern California and wanted to raise money for Mary’s Kitchen, a struggling soup kitchen run by Mary McAnena. Dave worked on a college radio station and booked bands part time for Chapman university. “I was inspired after working at a homeless kitchen in Hart park near my campus. Most of the students had no idea that there was this problem of homelessness right down the street, I wanted to get these students attention so I came up with the idea to put together a benefit concert that would draw attention to the problem of homelessness, give local bands some exposure and create a event that would draw students together ” Dave explains.
One year later, Dave with support of his friends and the university put together his first Noise for the Needy concert. Mary in her eighties had never received this type of support for her cause and was extremely grateful. Noise for the Needy was a major success and continued for more then a decade. “I can remember by the third Noise for the Needy, I went to visit Mary’s kitchen and saw this ‘complex’ with showers and a clothing distribution program , one of the staff took me aside and said, “your concerts built this.” It was a pretty amazing moment.”
The shows began to draw a diverse set of performers. Bands participating in shows have included Black Eyed Peas, Ozomotli, Rancid, the Offspring, Vandals, Goldfinger, Voo Doo Glow Skulls, Save Ferris, Long Beach Dub All Stars. NFTN has shown well over a hundred bands, raising over 100,000 dollars for local charities. Dave remained as an organizer and consultant until 2003 when he went on to get his Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. He still holds a director’s position.
In 2004 Richard Green (Dave’s brother) with the help of Jeff Henry started the first Noise for the Needy show in Seattle. The first show included four local bands and took place at Nectar Lounge in Fremont. NFTN has since become a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and the festival has grown to a 5 day event spanning clubs all over the city of Seattle. Since 2006, NFTN has worked with Okkervil River, CSS, The Handsome Family, The Blakes, Head Like a Kite, Feral Children, Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter, Slender Means, The Cops, The Purrs, Christy McWilson, Mark Pickerel, Hypatia Lake, Fourth city DJs and many other talented local musicians.
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noisefortheneedy // April 24, 2007 at 6:00 am |
NOISE FOR THE NEEDY PRESENTS MUSIC FESTIVAL TO
BENEFIT CHILDREN AND TEENS AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS
Local Venues, Artists Play Host to Noise for the Needy, June 5th-10th
to Benefit Rise n Shine
Seattle, WA— Noise for the Needy, a local non-profit organization dedicated to raising money for charitable causes through live music, announces its annual music festival to benefit Seattle’s Rise n Shine. Rise n Shine provides emotional support programs, advocacy, and AIDS education for children and teens affected by HIV and AIDS. Noise for the Needy will host a different evening of music at venues around town each night from June 5-10.
Participating music venues and artists to date include Okkervil River, Sera Cahoone, CSS, The Handsome Family, The Cops, Thee Emergency, Head like a Kite, Tall birds, Cancer Rising, The Lights, Key Note Speaker, The Prids, and others at clubs such as Neumos, Tractor Tavern, Comet Tavern, Sunset Tavern , Chop Suey and more. Additional artists will soon be announced and watch http://www.noisefortheneedy.org for up-to-the-minute information. Advance tickets will soon be available through their website. Noise for the Needy will also feature its second annual online auction. Items up for bid include VIP passes and gift certificates from local businesses. Check the website for additional information.
“Music is a vital part of the Seattle community and we have an incredible lineup of musicians this year to support Rise n Shine” says Noise for the Needy cofounder Rich Green. “Rise n’ Shine was chosen because of their great need for funding and the many amazing things they do to help their kids. We are excited to be the vehicle for them to do this.”
“Through our help, we are able to provide organizations like Rise n Shine a platform to
raise awareness of their mission, gain volunteers and raise valuable support for their cause” adds board member, Megan Kagel. “Not only do we provide event production to small human services organizations that do not have the time or resources to do so, but we are also reaching out to the local community to come together through the power of music to directly affect change.”
In 1988, Rise n’ Shine began their program with 5 children, and this figure has grown to 182. Rise n’ Shine offers many courses including AIDS education, a summer camp, year around mentoring and youth leadership programs.
“We are excited to have been selected” says Rise n’ Shine’s Founding Director Janet Trinkaus. She hopes the festival will “raise awareness of the needs of overlooked children in our local communities affected by AIDS; to know of the volunteer opportunities available to work with these children; and that individually, they can positively impact the life of a child by volunteering.”
A History of Noise for the Needy:
Noise for the Needy was started by two brothers in the early 90s. David Green was attending college in Orange County, California, when he volunteered to feed the homeless at a nearby park. He had no idea that down the street from his affluent college were people who struggled to feed themselves and their children each day, and started Noise for the Needy as a way to raise money and awareness. Since that time, NFTN has raised more than $100,000 through live rock shows in Southern California and Seattle. Bands participating in previous shows included The Black Eyed Peas, Rancid, The Vandals, Ozomotli, The Offspring, the Long Beach Dub All Stars and many more.
“This show has been my labor of love and my baby for so many years,” says David Green, founder of Noise for the Needy. “My hope is that people who have attended a show will walk away wanting to help to make this community a better place and contribute in some way.”
For information about this years Noise for the Needy, visit http://www.noisefortheneedy.org.
For information about Rise n Shine, visit http://www.risenshine.org.
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For more information about NFTN:
http://www.noisefortheneedy.org
For more information about Rise n Shine:
http://www.risenshine.org