Preview: Night of 1,000 Friends
Courtesy of Lust2Love
Mazzoni Center and Project Safe are holding a joint benefit – Night of 1,000 Friends – on Oct. 29 at Kung Fu Necktie (8 p.m.). And there are a slew of local musicians scheduled to perform, including Philly’s own Go-Go’s cover band Lust2Love.
“We are performing a set of Go-Go’s songs, and a few other surprises, at the benefit,” says Lust2Love lead singer Royce Epstein. “We are excited, especially since it’s Halloween weekend and for a great cause.”
Two of the five bandmates actually work at the Mazzoni Center, so, says Epstein, the cause is “near and dear” to their hearts. “We are happy to participate,” she says, “especially if it means sharing the love of 80s girl-garage pop with the crowd.” Expect to hear some of the hits, B-sides and trivia during their set. These ladies know plenty about the 80s rockers.
Kate Gormley, an adolescent care coordinator at Mazzoni, will also be DJing the benefit. She was more recently involved with the Phreak ‘N Queer Arts & Music Festival this summer. “I’m always down to DJ live music events and, to be honest, I enjoy this more than the typical dance party these days,” admits Gormley. “Not only will the money raised go to two great organizations, but the lineup is packed full of some of my favorite local musicians.”
She says audiences can expect everything from Beth Ditto to 80s, Hip Hop and Europunk. “I might even toss in a little Northern Soul for good measure,” she says.
DJ Ethel Cee will also be spinning, along with DJ Kit. “This is my first time DJing at a public event,” says Cee, who’ll be playing dance tunes and remixes, along with a few Halloween standards. “I’m known for actually being on stage performing as an emcee,” says Cee, but she’s also down for a little “Monster Mash.”
The Lexi Starr Show is also on the roster, along with DaQuan of Sgt. Sass, one half of a Philly-based gay rap duo. “I am also a client at Mazzoni,” says Lexi Starr, a Swarthmore grad. “We will be playing songs from our stock repertoire of covers, as well as premiering some freshly added covers to our repertoire. We pretty much play songs performed by female idols of mine – the likes of Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse, Shania Twain, Etta James and others.”
Night of 1,000 Friends, Oct. 29, 8 p.m., Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919.
