Pen & Page

Photo Atlas in a previous performance in Billings. (Photo by Casey Riffe)

Concert For A Cause, a benefit music festival founded by local music lover Eric Grider, is back. After taking a year off, Grider regrouped and put together his sixth concert, taking place July 25 at Yellowstone Valley Brewing Co., to raise money for two local organizations, the Meadowlark House and Art Without Boundaries.

“This year I felt like I needed to do (Concert for a Cause) because these charities could definitely use some help, and I enjoy putting it together,” Grider said.

Grider formed Concert for a Cause at age 14, shortly after his grandfather, Gary Kallem, died of cancer. The first Concert for a Cause, held in the summer of 2003, raised nearly $1,000 for the American Cancer Society.

This year’s event has a $5 cover and will feature bands from Montana, South Dakota and Colorado. The Photo Atlas, of Denver, Colo., headlines the concert, with Billings native Nick Miles on drums. The event also includes performances by local bands From Womb to Tomb, Noise Noise Noise, Grudge, Montana Law, and Down Time, featuring members of Grudge. Missoula bands Fiancée and Places will perform, as well as The Reddmen from Rapid City, S.D. Local comedian Chad Korb will emcee the event.

Proceeds from the door after expenses for this year’s concert will go to the Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center’s Meadowlark House, a free cancer patient lodging facility located in west Billings, and Art Without Boundaries, a charity that helps kindergarten through college age students obtain and learn how to play instruments. Each organization will have a booth at the event with information available, and additional donations will be accepted at the booths.

Gates for the all-ages concert open at 4 p.m. in the parking lot at Yellowstone Valley Brewing Co., where an outdoor stage will be set up. Tickets are available at the gate only and donations above the cover charge are accepted. For more information, visit concertforacause.blogspot.com.