HAAM Benefit Day Today – Raising Funds For, and Awareness of, Musicians’ Health Care
Photography by Shana Lyn Berenzweig.Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Speaking as your humble Austin Music Minute maven, and host of The Laurie Show, I wanted to say that I’m very proud to show my support of this special day, and the organization behind it. The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) plays a huge role in rallying the community to show support for our city’s tremendously talented musical artists. Very often, because music is so ingrained in our lives as Austinites, we take our musicians for granted – the very thing that put us on the map as the Live Music Capital of the World. Amazing bands, incredible songwriters, and up-and-coming artists in practically every genre you can think of are all a part of our vibrant and multi-faceted culture. HAAM Benefit Day serves as one important reminder to be supportive of our local treasures.
HAAM was created in 2005 to provide access to affordable health care services for uninsured working musicians in Austin, with a commitment to prevention care and wellness. Thanks to the efforts of HAAM and increasing support from the community, many musicians have been able to obtain much-needed health care services for themselves and their families. One day of each year is designated as HAAM Benefit Day, when local participating businesses donate a percentage of their day’s earnings to HAAM in support of musicians’ health care.
This is also the perfect time to catch lots of live performances all throughout the day. Even as you read this AMM post on the KUT website, several local artists have already played at places all over town, as early as 6 a.m.! But never fear – there is plenty more to check out. Please do what you can to show your support for this wonderful cause.
I have a few recommendations for you, happening later in the day and at night:
Shawn Colvin at 5 p.m. at Waterloo Records, 600 N. Lamar.
Jessie Torrisi at 5:30 p.m. at Thundercloud Subs, 3201 Bee Cave.
Akina Adderley & The Vintage Playboys at 6:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, 252 N. Lamar.
The HAAM Day Proper Nang Night (chock full of awesomeness), featuring Jon Dee Graham, Jesse Sublett, Noelle Hampton, Sarah Sharp and more, at 6:30 p.m. at Maria’s Taco Express, 2529 S. Lamar.
Kalu James at 7 p.m. at Wyndham Garden Hotel, 3401 South IH-35.
Wendy Colonna at 7 p.m. at St. Julian of Norwich Episcopal Church, 7700 Cat Hallow Dr. #204.
Nakia at 7 p.m. at The Belmont, 305 W. 6th St.
Mother Falcon at 7:30 p.m. at The Front Porch, in conjunction with All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 209 W. 27th St.
The Minor Mishap Marching Band at 7:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, 525 N. Lamar.
The Mockingbird Loyals at 8 p.m. at Goorin Bros., 1323 S. Congress.
The Jeff Lofton Trio at 8 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Drive.
Beaver Nelson at 8 p.m. at The Whip-In, 1950 IH-35.
James McMurtry at 8:30 p.m. at The Continental Club, 135 S. Congress.
Arum Rae at 9 p.m. at the Hole In the Wall, 2538 Guadalupe.
What Made Milwaukee Famous at 9 p.m. at Lustre Pearl, 97 Rainey.
MEGABIG at 9 p.m. at Monstrosity Gallery – Central Texas Annie Consulting, 2514 Wilson St.
The Sweet Nuthin’ at 9:15 p.m. at Hotel Vegas, 1500 E. 6th St.
The Love Leighs at 10 p.m. at Hotel Vegas, 1500 E. 6th St.
The Ephraim Owens Experience, 10:30 p.m. at The Continental Club, 1315 S. Congress.
Bobby Jealousy at 10:30 p.m. at 29th Street Ballroom at Spider House, 2908 Fruth St.
The Wolf at 11:15 p.m. at 29th Street Ballroom at Spider House, 2908 Fruth St.
Crooked Bangs at 12:15 a.m. at Cheer Up Charlie’s, 1104 E. 6th St.
Podcast: Download (2.2MB)
