Hi all

I just did a unique benefit concert- and I thought it might be fun/interesting to share my experience and exchange stories about participating in unusual benefits.

As part of the Bar Mitzvah process, our congregation encourages kids to complete a service project of their choice. My son elected to produce a concert to raise money for the new "home" the congregation is building.

The twist? The program featured my band Round the House (performing "relatively" traditional Irish music) and my son's Irish step dance school. (Our band jokes about being 33 1/3% Jewish- though technically, it's 37 1/2%). It was a bit of a hard sell to get people to take it seriously and come to the event ("what does Celtic music have to do with being Jewish?")....But it was a fun and successful event and raised nearly $1000 from tickets, a raffle of a beautiful Waterford crystal bowl, and sales of snacks during intermission.

It was challenging to not only have to worry about performing and sound, communicating with the dancers, but to build a dance floor, set up chairs, sell tickets, make refreshments and everything else that had to be done. It made me appreciate having such cooperative band members who would commit extra time for an unpaid gig.

Anyone else have stories to share?