The Blue Monday Concert Series will return this week, on Sunday, February 28.
This week's event will be a benefit concert to raise funds for cancer treatments for Patricia “Tisha” Childress, wife of KBON 101.1 Radio personality, Hoss Childress.
The open-air concert and lunch service will take place from 1 -5 p.m. in the courtyard of The Grouse Room in Downtown Lafayette.
Sunday’s show is sponsored by Lafayette Roofing & General Contractors, and will adhere to current COVID-19 safety guidelines.
The line-up includes Marc Broussard, Anthony Dopsie, Cedric Watson, Ray Boudreaux, Roddie Romero, and special guests Sarah Russo, Sharon Thomas, and brothers Lane Mack and Billy Mack.
The Blue Monday AllStar house band includes Jill Butler, Kent August, Steve Adams, Ron Eades, Bill LeBlanc, Gino Vallecillo and Chris French.
The fundraising need arose in late December, when Tisha was admitted into Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center with abdominal pain, and instead was told about cancerous masses in the abdominal region. Now, she and Hoss face mounting medical bills, and a Facebook fundraiser has also been made in their names.
Blue Monday aims to raise funds while also providing safe entertainment and opportunities for under-booked creatives.
Masks will be mandatory when entering and moving around the venue. Tickets may be purchased ahead of time, and admission will be $25 per person. Tables may be reserved for $100, and tables may be sponsored for $250.
Doors open at noon, and the entertainment will feature collaborative sets starting at 1 p.m.
Blue-plate special barbecue chicken dinners will also be available for $10 per plate. All proceeds will go directly to the Blue Monday Mission for a donation to Tisha and Hoss.
Blue Monday Mission believes that community has the ability to uplift, now, more than ever. Childress is a tireless ambassador for South Louisiana, and his dedication to our culture can be heard loud-and-clear every weekday morning on KBON 101.1. He has also been heard for years over the public address at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Ragin’ Cajuns sporting events.
According to BMM and Love of People’s founder and president, John Williams, artist Carol Fran, First Lady of Blue Monday, once said to “give me my flowers while I’m still here.” BMM hopes to give the Childress family their “flowers.”
BMM has orchestrated meal programs during the pandemic, provided covid-safe entertainment for seniors in partnership with the Lafayette Council on Aging, and coordinated smaller performance opportunities for associated musicians, at a time when there were none.
“The pandemic has wreaked havoc on our jobs, our families, our mental states and our culture itself,” said Williams. “The best tool we have to ease these effects is to turn to our creative economy. “ “The power of music, undeniably, has a healing effect,” Williams added. “Now, our musicians, service industry workers, medical staff, and everyone need healing from the stressors of this prolonged pandemic.”
“Our music, our food, and our community is what will carry us through these tumultuous times,” Williams continued. “We’re hoping the creative community can help carry Tish and Hoss through their difficult times.”
BMM would also like to acknowledge “Mask Up, Y’all,” in honor of the families of David Guarisco and Minos Douren, who died from complications of contracting coronavirus.
Donations to the Childress medical fund can be made here.
