The Recovery Alumni Association is hosting a Blues Extravaganza fundraiser on Sept. 2 in Grass Valley to further its goals of helping people who are in the early stages of recovery from drug or alcohol addiction.
"It's gonna be good music," said Nevada City resident Randy Duncan, who attended RAA's dozen-member meeting Sunday afternoon in Grass Valley. Plans were made for advertising, ticket-selling and other logistics for the blues extravaganza.
The music festival is scheduled to begin Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Center for the Arts on 314 W. Main Street. Featured performers include the Blue Marvellz from Paradise, the jazz-and-rock-flavored Whitewater Blues Band and Lara Price, who has toured internationally.
Tickets cost $15 at the door or at a reduced fee with advance purchase. Those interested should call Community Resources Recovery at 273-9541. Alcohol will not be served at the venue.
One idea behind the concert is to "make recovery cool," said Duncan. Another is to raise money for recovering addicts to help support them.
"So they don't have to go back and start dealing drugs," said Lil Angel B, a blues broadcaster for KVMR and RAA member, at Sunday's meeting.
"We've all been there and we understand," said Angel B, adding he has been clean for 30 years after spending time in prison.
It's better to "help them now," said Angel B of recovering addicts, who need help finding jobs, housing and food. There are "too many headaches when you run into government agencies," he added.
RAA was founded a year ago and in June held a Walk for Recovery with the same goals as the upcoming blues festival. The group's 25 active members will be busy during the next couple of weeks as they work to put together this event.
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To reach staff writer Josh Singer, e-mail
joshs@theunion.com or call 477-4234.
What: Recovery Alumni Association is hosting a Blues Extravaganza fund-raiser
When: Sept. 2 at 6 p.m.
Where: Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main Street, Grass Valley
More info: Call CORR at 273-9541
Admission: $15 at the door; $12 in advance