Rocking for a cause: Battle of the bands to benefit The Childhood League Center
For more than six decades, the Childhood League has organized numerous annual fundraisers for the center by the same name, which serves children from birth to age 5 who have developmental delays.
Events have included golf tournaments and pickleball competitions, culminating in the flagship fundraiser called Merry Go Round, a lavish gala that raises 10% of the center's annual operating budget.
"Merry Go Round is the longest-running annual fundraiser in Columbus — it started in 1949,” said Nick Petrello, communications and marketing manager for The Childhood League Center.
“It’s traditionally been a gala format, but this year, we’re changing things up in a big way."
Battle of the Bands to highlight local music scene
That’s putting it mildly. Instead of a black-tie affair, tuxes will be traded for concert tees and silent auctions will be replaced by loud music at Merry Go Round 2024: Battle Columbus.
“It’s going to be a battle of the bands with three multi-talented bands playing cross-generational music that will resonate with everyone,” said Lauren Colantoni, a five-year league volunteer and lead producer for Battle Columbus.
So why has the swanky soiree of last year become a musical showdown?
“The philanthropy landscape has changed a lot in last decade. It’s been a challenge to retain donors and event attendees, so I thought, why not reimagine it as Battle Columbus?” Colantoni said.
“We’re hoping to cast a wider net and give The Childhood League Center a bigger profile. And what better way to celebrate the local music scene?”
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Colantoni said the Childhood League hopes the concert will raise at least $150,000 to support services at the 674 Cleveland Ave. center that “give the children the necessities they need to pursue unstoppable futures,” including early intervention services, therapeutic classrooms, speech and other therapies and a preschool for both children with and without special needs.
“We have our fingers and toes crossed. We have so much interest in Merry Go Round: Battle Columbus and so many people are excited about it that I think we can get to our goal,” Colantoni said.
“We anticipate Battle Columbus becoming an annual event.”
If you love good music and good causes, Merry Go Round: Battle Columbus offers both. Here are a few things to know if you plan to go.
When and where will Merry Go Round 2024: Battle Columbus take place?
The fundraising faceoff will begin at 8 p.m. April 26 at Kemba Live, 405 Neil Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m.
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What bands will be competing?
The battle will feature New Standard Soul Jam, a Columbus pop/soul ensemble with a jazzy horns-and-keys vibe; Zack Attack, a high-energy Cincinnati party band whose covers range from AC/DC to Jay-Z; and Zero Hour, an Akron-based group spanning classic rock to modern pop with a repertoire including artists such as Queen, Journey and The Killers.
How much are tickets and where can I buy them?
General admission tickets cost $125 each and include two drink tickets and access to the main floor (standing room only). VIP tickets cost $200 each and will allow access to the entire multi-level venue and VIP lounge, a private open bar, food and limited seating on the second level. "Sales are outpacing the last few years' events and VIP tickets are selling quickly," Colantoni said.
Tickets can be purchased online at merrygoroundgala.org.
Who picks the winner and what's the prize?
The winner is the people's choice! Audience members vote in real time using QR codes to decide which musical act will go home $5,000 richer. The prize money was raised by a crowdsourcing event.
What else will be offered at the event?
There's more music! Whether you're a Swiftie or not, you're bound to get a kick out of the band that will open the show. Saylor Twift will play more Taylor Swift songs than you ever imagined in your "Wildest Dreams." The Columbus-based tribute band are a favorite on the local scene, where they've played venues including Rumba Cafe and a sellout show at Natalie's Grandview in February.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Battle Columbus fundraiser at Kemba Live to benefit Childhood League
