By Dominick Cross
LAFAYETTE – Some folks turn their baseball caps inside out and/or backwards to help rally around their favorite team.
When South Louisiana folks rally to help a friend, some folks tune their instruments and donate their time, talent and money; at the same time, others dance the night away – after they drop some scratch, that is – for the good cause.
And so it will be (again) Thursday evening, 7 p.m., at Atmosphere Bistro, 902 Johnston St., when musicians and music lovers come together for Josh Baca, accordion player with Grammy winner Los Texmaniacs, a conjunto band from Texas.
Baca lost his home and everything in it in a New Year’s Day fire in Converse, Texas. Thankfully, there was no loss of life.
The lineup Thursday features an enhanced Savoy Family Band (more on that, keep reading), T’Monde, Sabra & the Get Rights, and members of the Revelers.
So, you may ask, ‘What does all of this have to do with holding a fundraiser in Lafayette?’
Well, Los Texmaniacs have been hooked-up with local musicians for some time.
The Revelers got to know the band from the road, and Los Texmaniacs have delighted Blackpot Festival fans over the years; the two bands have cooked and jammed together; and, in 2015, Los Texmaniacs joined the Revelers at the Acadiana Center for the Arts’ Louisiana Crossroads series.
As a result, “a lot of us have become good friends with the Texmaniacs over the last five, eight years, or even more,” said Sabra Guzman, who is behind the funder. “Culturally and musically, there was a connection.”
It’s a friendship that goes beyond making music and dinner together, as family comes to mind.
“We just figured they’re just such good friends of ours and we feel like a little music family that we just thought: How can we help?” said Guzman.
Guzman said Johnny Nicholas, a Texas bluesman who has toured with Los Texmaniacs and who also became friendly with the band, contacted the local music tribe about Baca’s predicament.
“Johnny reached out to us about the house fire,” said Guzman. Nicholas was already helping organize a couple of fundraisers in Austin and San Antonio.
“So when he reached out to all of us, I did a group text, ‘Who wants to help out?’” Guzman said. “So, the Revelers, just being so close to them, definitely wanted to be a part,” she said, adding that Chris Miller won’t be able to make it.
“So that’s why were mentioning it as ‘members of the Revelers.’”
Guzman’s band, Sabra and the Get Rights, T’Monde were on board, as was Marc Savoy.
“Marc Savoy has developed a relationship with those guys, and so he was down to help contribute,” said Guzman. “And it’s really cool with the Savoy Family Band. They’ve got Michael Doucet coming and Steve Riley to be a part of that.”
“So that’s really sweet. I think it’s going to be really nice night,” she said.
Guzman checked with Eric Adcock and Roddie Romero, too, but the band (Roddie Romero and the Hub City All Stars) will be in rehearsal Thursday evening for a gig at the ACA with The Mavericks this weekend.
But there’ll be more than music involved as Scotter Yarrow, Susie Mills and Robin Miller are working on a silent auction to help bring in more money.
Saint Street Inn, Pack and Paddle, massage therapists, and others have contributed to the cause.
“They’ve all given gift certificates for the silent auction,” Guzman said. “So, it’s like a sweet community effort.”
In addition, the host establishment got behind the efforts.
“Artmosphere was very accommodating and willing to give us the whole door as a benefit,” said Guzman. “Yeah, very sweet.”
Weather will be a non-issue; just bundle up. Temp come showtime looks to be in the upper 20s. (Woo-hoo!)
“It seems like everyday from here on out is getting a little bit warmer,” Guzman said Wednesday afternoon.
The minimum donation is $10, although more will be accepted.
“We realize you do what you can,” said Guzman. “It’s just to give a shout-out to our brother and help him in any way we can.”
There’s another common denominator in the mix: Color it humanity.
“There’s a good group of folks here who definitely care about the cause and are down to just be there for others who have a need,” Guzman said.
All door money goes to the Baca family. The silent auction hopes to raise additional funds. If you’d like to contribute from afar, follow this link: https://www.gofundme.com/kphbf-fire
