By: Melissa Lauren
Maryland is home to a variety of special fundraising events that ROCK! This weekend The Polar Bear Plunge and Anne Arundel County High School’s Battle of the Bands amuse and entertain while both events benefit wonderful charitable organizations!
You can always go to the Calendar at WhatsUpMag.com and narrow your search by selecting “Charities and Fundraisers” if you are feeling generous and want to make fun plans for your weekend.
Polar Bear Plunge
When frigid waters of the Chesapeake are at their coldest, a unique eed of creature migrates to the Maryland shore to engage in a strange and glorious ritual. These Plungers raise awareness and charitable donations for Special Olympics Maryland by diving into the icy waters. To join the pack at Sandy Point State Park, visit plungemd.com. The 19th Annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge chills and thrills this Saturday, January 24th at Sandy Point State Park, 1100 East College Parkway to benefit the Special Olympics. The park opens at 8 a.m. and registration is available at 8 a.m. It is never too late to take the plunge! There is a $75 minimum donation required for plungers. Plungers will be able to warm up with coffee and hot chocolate generously donated by WaWa. The Family and Pee Wee Plunge is at 11 a.m. with Mass Plunges at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Currently, nearly $980,000 has been raised with $2,500,000 as the goal. Spectators are welcome to stand along the outside perimeter of the fence line designating the official “Plunge Zone” in order to watch the action. Spectators can attend the event free of charge but donations are welcomed.
This year’s Rams Head Ice Lodge stage lineup is as follows: Dublin 5 hits the stage at 10 a.m. with a performance from Hot Tub Limo at 11:45 a.m. and headliner, Burnt Sienna plays two sets before and after the final plunge, which takes place at 3 p.m.
Twitter: @SpOlympicsMD
Facebook: SpecialOlympicsMD
Pinterest: SOMaryland
The mission of Special Olympics Maryland is to be the leader in lifelong and unified sports programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, empowering athletes to be valued members of their community and respected members of society. For more info visit plungemd.com or visit their Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest pages listed above.
Bass player Ryan of Carraway will be competing along with his rocker comrades at the 17th Annual Anne Arundel County High School Battle of the Band competition. Carraway defines their sound as "Grunge-Pop" because of their heavy influence from 90's grunge music integrated with the mainstream melodies everybody hears today. They have been rockin' out together since Middle School.
Join the area’s best young bands as they turn it up to 11 and rock out loud for their chance to win the title at Anne Arundel County High School’s 17th Annual Battle of the Bands! Rock out with the competitors this Saturday, January 24th from 5:00 - 11:00 p.m. at Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street in Annapolis.
“We're a band that combines Punk with anything from Ska to Jazz to Funk to Metal – just about anything out there. Who knew Maryland Hall lets crazy misfits like us in? It's either their biggest mistake or the gnarliest decision they've ever made!” – Forexes of Broadneck High School
The Anne Arundel County High School Battle of the Bands is an annual competition for rock bands from Anne Arundel County High Schools. Every high school in the county is invited to send their best rock band to compete in front of judges who are professionals in the music industry. All of the proceeds from this event go to the music departments of the top four bands. They also recognize the best individual musicians for each instrument. Once again this year, the audience will select the band with the best stage presence, by Twitter voting during the actual event. Each year, the winning band receives free studio time, radio airplay, future performance opportunities and priceless agging rights.
The event relies heavily upon the support of local businesses as all proceeds are distributed directly to the winning bands’ schools. They are always searching for financial support to cover show expenses, as well as in-kind donations. Founded in 1999, the Anne Arundel County High School Battle of the Bands has grown into the largest event of its kind in the entire country. “This was originally my project for my Leadership Anne Arundel Class of 1999 and it has lasted so many years because of its impact on the schools. The school-system sponsored showcase for rock bands has raised over $100,000 which has benefited the winning bands’ school music departments tremendously. The skill level of the bands usually surprises first time attendees but they come back year after year.” – Nancy Almgren, Founder and Director
This year, rock bands from Annapolis, Broadneck, Glen Burnie, Spalding, South River, Southern, Severna Park, and the Performing & Visual Arts Magnet School will play for an audience of their fans and potential new fans. Battling bands include: Carraway from Annapolis High School, Rhemington from Annapolis High School, Forexes from Broadneck High School, No Capes from Broadneck High School, Heaven at Midnight from Glen Burnie High School, Chasing Verity from Performing & Visual Arts Magnet, Panic Switch from Severna Park High School, Crash 57 from Southern High School, Empty Houses from Spalding High School, The Unwoolly Mammoths from South River High School. Battle Alums, Halftone, will perform a special showcase during the judges' deliberations.
Heaven at Midnight is an Alternative Rock band who cite such influences as Metallica, Nirvana, and Radiohead.
Tickets are $15 this year and can be purchased from the bands, on-line at www.AABATTLE.com, at Music & Arts Store in Severna Park, and at Garrett Park Guitars in Annapolis. There is no service charge at any outlet but only the web-site will take credit cards. All other outlets are cash only. All of these outlets will close at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24th and tickets will be available at the door at Maryland Hall starting at 3:00 p.m.
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Fun Factoid: The Dirty Names, formerly Trial and Error from Key School were 2005 Winners of the AA Battle of the Bands. They became a well-known local band playing various clubs including opening for main stage acts at Rams Head Live in Baltimore.
Source: Nancy Almgren, Founder and Director of Anne Arundel County High School Battle of the Bands
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To view more events taking place this weekend, please owse our Online Calendar at whatsupmag.com/calendar. Be sure to Follow What’s Up? on Twitter and Like Us on Facebook. For coverage of your community event, please send press releases to mlauren@whatsupmag.com
