Have you heard about the fact that AIDS in Washington DC has reached epidemic proportions, reaching 3% of the population, three times that of the rest of the country?
Well, it has.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/14/AR2009031402176.html

This means, of course, that the poorest among us who contract this disease are especially hard hit. Where do those without resources go to deal with the devastating results of this plague?

In DC, it's Joseph's and Miriam's Houses.
http://www.josephshouse.org/
http://www.miriamshouse.org/

"The mission of Miriam's House is to provide a dynamic residential community for women living with HIV disease that empowers recovery from homelessness, disease and addictions in an environment of compassion, integrity, and accountability."

"The mission of Joseph's House is to provide a home, nursing services, and community for formerly homeless men and women in metropolitan Washington DC who are terminally ill and in the last weeks or months of their illness. While our primary mission is to those with AIDS, as space is available we also welcome men and women with other terminal illnesses."

To further complicate things, in these harsh economic times, much of the usual financial support for both these establishments has dried up.

The Crucible has long supported and participated in fundraising efforts to help these hospices, but we feel it's time to do more.

On July 11th, we are holding a major fundraising effort to raise as much money as we can in support of their mission. This will be a musical extravaganza, featuring the musical talents of half a dozen bands and scores of individual musicians of all musical persuasions ~ Rock, Jazz, Folk & Dixieland Jazz to name a few. At the same time, we will drag out many of the usual fundraising mechanisms, a casino, 50/50 raffles, silent auction, bikini car wash, etc.

Entry will be $10 per person.
ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE CHARITIES

This will be a "vanilla" night at the Crucible.

If you have something you'd like to donate, or have a new and different idea that might help raise more, by all means let us know. If you're particularly flush, and would like to donate matching funds for all, or even part of our efforts we definitely would like to hear from you. If you have a musical talent, or skill (like sound reinforcement) that would be useful, we're accepting all good help.

Saturday July 11, 2009
Since this event is ond the same day as the Billy Joel/Elton John concert at the Nat's stadium, we're getting started at 4pm in the afternoon to ensure plenty of parking for you. Also to make sure we've got plenty of time to hold all the events and give all the musicians their time on stage.

Mark it on your calendar.

Please spread the word as widely as possible.

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Other entertainment and fundraising:

Bikini car wash

Casino

Onsite BBQ sandwitches and meals

Silent "Bag" Auction

50/50 Raffel

Vendors: www.gaiyasgrove.com

And our bands, musicians and performers, and the schedule so far:

Doors open @ 4 PM	Car wash, Casino, Auctions, Rhythm Jam, etc. Casino and other contest winners get an afternoon boat ride!
Percussion/Rhythm Jam session All invited, bring your drum or other percussion instrument. We'll have plenty to go around if you don't own one.	BBQ Pork Loin sandwhiches available all afternoon. Grilled perfectly by "Master Baster" of Big Daddy BBQ
MOONSTRUCK JAZZ Performing from 8:00 ~ 8:45		Liz Fixsen - Piano, Vocals has over the years played piano in a variety of settings, including weddings, choral performances, private parties, and contemporary worship bands. Since 2000, she has played in jazz combos at Howard Community College and Towson University and has studied jazz piano with regionally-noted jazz pianists Alan Blackman and Jon Ozment. David McGarvey - Piano, Bass holds a degree in music from Towson University. He has played in the jazz combos at Howard Community College and Towson University. He has studied piano with Alan Blackman and Tim Murphy, and upright bass with Josh Davis and Tom Baldwin.
DIXIELAND DIRECT Performing from 8:45 ~ 9:30 and 10:15 ~ 11;00		Although DIXIELAND DIRECT performs with as many as seven musicians, the nucleus of the group is a trio. Fashioned after the Swing and Dixieland styles of Benny Goodman and Pete Fountain, DIXIELAND DIRECT features Henning Hoehne on clarinet, Bob Boguslaw on piano and Mike Flaherty on drums. Dixieland Direct has been performing together for almost two decades. Along with being featured on numerous recordings, members of DIXIELAND DIRECT have been featured at major jazz festivals and have toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad. Focusing on musicianship as well as entertainment, the band combines humorous lyrics and a dose of bandstand shtick to make a fun-filled and enjoyable time for all audiences. The band is uniquely complemented with its own arrangers and an extensive library of over 500 arrangements. The collection includes arrangements from the early Scott Joplin Rags, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Cole Porter and Duke Ellington...to name just a few.
ZEIGFIELDS Performing from 9:30 ~ 9:45		Ladies of illusion show from Zeigfeilds
TWO FAST BACKWARDS Performing from 9:45 ~ 10:15		Acoustic Rock Duo
AMERICAN GIANT Performing from 11:00 ~11:45		American Giant is a hard rock quartet that will rock your socks off, and perhaps additional items of clothing if you stand too close. Suitable for dancing, partying and otherwise getting your groove on.
ZIPPER Performing from 11:45 ~ 12:30		ZIPPER is a Classic to Modern Rock Dance Oriented Ensemble. Since their inception, the group has been actively performing in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. In that period of time, ZIPPER has expanded and honed their repertoire to provide such a wide range of material that they are a clear cut choice for patrons of quality music. You will find them most suitable for Private Parties, Corporate Events, Festivals, Weddings as well as "Rocking It Out" in the Clubs and Bars. Their list of credits is as long as it is diverse. If you're looking for Top Shelf Entertainment, with Down to Earth Players.... Then You need to put ZIPPER on on Your menu..."A Meal You Won't Forget"
All hands Jam Session from 12:30 ~