Ounces Outdoors and Northgate Mall are hosting a month-long fundraiser this August benefiting the local nonprofit, Believe Music Heals, founded by singer-songwriter Essence Goldman whose mission is providing healing and hope through music to those who need it most.
The Summer Beats Festival is every Saturday in August, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be an Artisan Fair featuring arts and crafts by local artists, plus a Kids Zone with games and various food trucks, including ice cream and donuts. Live Music featuring fun high-energy local bands will perform each Saturday until Ounces Outdoors (serving beer, wine, and food) closes. Attendees can purchase a raffle ticket for great prizes and all the money will benefit Believe Music Heals.
In addition, on Aug. 19 from 2-5 p.m., The Magic Flute presents their 3rd Annual Restring-A-Thon, for a $20 donation, players can get a FREE guitar restring along with a FREE set of PRS strings, plus a $10 coupon for The Magic Flute Repair Shop. 100% of proceeds will go to Believe Music Heals!
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, The Magic Flute was reminded of the power of music to bring people together to help and heal each other. Their 1st Annual Guitar Restring-A-Thon provided much needed respite for their community and together they fundraised for performing musicians hard hit by the closing of music venues.
Essence Goldman shares her inspiration for founding Believe Music Heals, “My dad gave me a journal as a child while I was experiencing emotional distress during my parents’ divorce.
Going back and forth on a bus, listening to music I started writing down my feelings. This is how I learned that transformation was possible through self-expression and music.”
Waz Hewerdine, the owner Ounces Outdoors, says this about the event:
“Building on the Northgate tradition of offering a free concert series to the local community, this year, Ounces Outdoors has partnered with Northgate to make this concert series even better. Summer Beats Festival 2023 is a month-long celebration of music and community and will be held every Saturday between 4PM and 8PM for the month of August and offers the local community free live music, a kids zone hosted by local businesses, ice cream and treats, and an artisan fair. This year, Ounces Outdoors has also partnered with Believe Music Heals and The Magic Flute. We will be selling raffle tickets during the event with great prizes and all the proceeds will benefit Believe Music Heals.”
Tamara Osheroff, the Co-Owner, CMO at The Magic Flute shares their passion, “We believe, wholeheartedly, that music heals the soul and it is our joy and privilege to provide a space to celebrate and encourage the wonder of music in our community—today and for future generations.”
August Music Lineup:
Saturday, Aug. 5
Opener (4:30-5:45 p.m.) – Grateful Tuna
Headliner (6:15 p.m. – closing) – The Live Oaks
Saturday, Aug. 12
Opener (4:30-5:45 p.m.) – School of Rock
Headliner (6:15 p.m. – closing) – Moonstruck
Saturday, Aug 19: The 3rd Annual Magic Flutes’ Guitar Restring-a-Thon
Daytime (2 p.m. – 5 p.m.) – Essence & Friends
Opener – (5 p.m. -6:15 p.m.) – Key Lime Pie
Headliner – (6:30 p.m. – Closing) – Black Sheep Brass Band
Saturday, Aug. 26
Opener (4:30 – 5:45 p.m.) – Eric McFadden & Special Guest
Headliner (6:30 p.m. – Closing) – My So-Called Band
After life-altering projects unfolded when two of Essence Goldman’s voice students became aware of their terminal illnesses, Essence guided their focus to music as a means of self-expression and healing. She witnessed powerful personal transformations when these individuals turned their attention toward creativity and music instead of their hardships. The joy and healing derived through these projects became life-defining not only for the students but for Essence as well.
“I could see that music became an anchor point in their lives and I felt compelled to become involved and guide them with their transformation. I saw that music was allowing them to turn fear and pain into creativity and expression, and the quality of their lives improved dramatically.”
Two albums were born: “Connection,” by Bernie Dalton, currently in development as the feature film “Bernie and The Believers,” and “Beckoning,” by John Brody, scheduled for release in 2023.
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