The Blue Room will host the 11th annual Rockin’ Out Alzheimer’s concert on Friday, August 2nd. Two tribute bands, The Best of Everything and Southern Sky, tributes to Tom Petty and The Eagles, will perform at the venue in Statesboro beginning at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). Statesboro residents and visitors can purchase tickets for the event here for $25.
All proceeds from ticket sales will go toward causes supported by the Rockin’ Out Alzheimers Disease Foundation. The foundation was started along with the concert by friends Chandler Dennard and Darron Burnette 12 years ago. Darron had recently lost his mom to Alzheimer’s, and the pair became passionate about raising money and starting a tradition in her honor. After attending a similar Elton John tribute concert in Columbia, SC, the Rockin’ Out Alzheimer’s show was born.
“The support for this cause from our community has been unbelievable from the very first concert,” says Chandler, one of the event’s founders. “Last year we went over the $1,000,000 mark for money raised for Alzheimer’s research, education and awareness.”
That money is used for Alzheimer’s research and scholarships for nursing students who plan to work in Gerontology. A portion of the proceeds is also given to the Caring Closet, a store that provides adult incontinence products to people and children who are tasked with caring for loved ones with dementia at home.
“By providing these products for free, we hope that we can give these folks a little financial relief,” says Chandler.
The foundation has also recently partnered with the Cognitive Aging Research Education (CARE) program at the University of Georgia to expand Alzheimer’s education and awareness throughout Bulloch and surrounding counties. With so many rural Georgia counties lacking access to education and diagnosis resources, the adoption of this program will significantly improve the lives of those at risk or already diagnosed in Statesboro.
“The concert is a great event for a great cause. This year we are bringing back guys that started us out 12 years ago, Tokyo Joe, along with some friends. It will be the first time in our history that we will have 2 tribute bands performing. It will be a great night of some great music.” – Chandler Dennard
Visit rockinoutalzheimers.org for more information.
