After many a venue change, it seems like Salem-based fundraiser Rock for HAWC is settling into Washington Street for the second year in a row.
For the fifth iteration of the annual benefit show for Salem domestic violence agency Healing Abuse, Working for Change (HAWC), Opus and Koto are tag-teaming again on Friday, December 6 for one evening of electric and acoustic sets from Boston-area performers. Much like last year’s edition, the event will hold two concurrent shows across the street from each other, with joint passes available for folks who want to ping-pong across the road in between performers.
Founded by singer/songwriter, guitarist, and licensed mental health counselor Angela Lee, the yearly benefit raises money for HAWC using funds from ticket sales, raffles, CDs, and — new for this year — zines and t-shirts. Janee Cicero, Koto’s booking agent, also helped plan the event this year.
“I wanted to do something that highlights the survivor’s voices, so we will be doing a little DIY zine that includes poetry and excerpts from survivors, information and resources, along with some artistic usage of the musicians participating in this year’s event,” Lee tells Vanyaland. “We still have some Rock for HAWC compilation CDs from last year that we’ll be selling that feature Carissa Johnson, Abbie Barrett, Gretchen Shea of the Knock Ups, a couple of the Bad Larrys gals, members of Evil Streaks and Radio Compass, and many more. It’s a great acoustic compilation with lots of songs you can’t find anywhere else.”
At Opus, this year’s show starts at 7 p.m. on December 6 with acoustic sets from Magen Tracy, Chris O’Keeffe (of The Away Games), and Katie Solomon (of Jakals), followed by full-on electric performances from The Devil’s Twins, Littlefoot, Coffin Salesmen, Gray Bouchard & The Dedications, and Lee’s own band Radio Compass.
Over at Koto, the bill follows the same pattern that evening, presenting acoustic tunes from Kate Eppers, Between Dreams, and Carissa Angelo at 7 p.m., before plugging things in for Fist City, The Downhauls, Stubborn Hearts, Sky Tigers, and St. Ripper. Tickets for each show are available for $10, while joint passes that grant admission to both venues are $15.
Check out all the details in the flyer below, as well as the digital version of the 2018 compilation CD.
