She Rides: Boston rock scene comes together to help Sarah Winslow after motorcycle accident

When a friend is in need, the Boston music scene usually steps up to help.

Back in August, Sarah Winslow of New Hampshire was riding her motorcycle in Rhode Island when she was struck head on by a drunk driver. She was hospitalized for an extended time with multiple broken bones (including femur, shoulder, pelvis, and others) and a significant soft tissue injury on her thigh. After several surgeries, she’s now looking at an extended rehabilitation process — which will cost both time and money.

“She sustained some serious injuries, lots of broken bones and some soft tissue injuries, spent a month in the hospital, but is finally starting to move around on crutches and begin her physical therapy,” says Chrissy Vaccaro of Petty Morals. “She’s a trooper and has remained super positive, which shows how strong her spirit is!”

A recent Go Fund Me campaign raised nearly $12,000 for her mounting medical costs, and now, her friends are throwing a benefit show this Saturday at Cuisine En Locale in Somerville to further her recovery efforts, with performances by Aquanutz, White Dynomite, The Skeleton Beats, Diablogato, Matt Charette and the Truer Sound, and the aforementioned Petty Morals. There will also be an extensive raffle collection, with all funds going to Winslow.

“As within any community — the Boston music scene, groups who ride motorcycles together, etc. — friends want to help other friends out in any way they can when times are tough,” Vaccaro tells Vanyaland. “That’s how this show came together. Lots of people who ride with Sarah wanted to do something for her. The idea of a benefit show came up because not only could money be raised, but it’d be a great excuse to party and get Sarah out for a good time. And to also celebrate the fact that she’s not an unfortunate statistic and that she survived.

Vaccaro adds: “Matt Charette and I both play in bands, and also know Sarah, so we of course offered whatever our bands could do to help out. From there, things grew even more. People who don’t even know Sarah wanted to help. Its been amazing! Essentially, the other bands were asked because they’re all good people, are kickass musicians, and without hesitation, agreed to play for a good cause. It was never even a question. As with most Boston bands within the ‘scene,’ we all know each other and always step up to help out. Booking shows with your friends is about as easy as anything can be.”

Also on board with the benefit show efforts was Jake Cutler from Barnstorm Cycles, who Vaccaro says “has been amazing with helping garner a ton of support from lots of bike companies, and with promotion, and just generally being awesome.” The suite of raffle prizes includes t-shirts, helmets, gear, and other swag from a host of New England-based riding companies, like Deadbeat Customs, Lowbrow Customs, Madhouse Motors, Biltwell, as well as leather goods, art, music items, and gift certificates from locals like Judy Jetson Salon, Deep Ellum, and others. Narragansett and Smuttynose Brewing Company have also donated to the cause, and there will be an outdoor beer garden, complete with “bike show,” open before the show.

“Legitimately, a little something for everyone,” Vaccaro says. “And in the process, by spending a small amount of money on a bunch of raffle tickets, everyone can help Sarah out a ton. So, things kind of went from just a rock and roll benefit show, to a really amazing event.”

Preview the participating bands below. The party starts at 5 p.m. for bikes and beer garden activities, then things move indoors at 6 p.m. and music starts around 7:30 p.m. A suggested donation of $10 at the door gets you in.