Ed Kelso believes in serendipity.
It took a lot of happy coincidences for a dozen local rock bands — including Kelso’s Highway Louie — to come together with a new original album just as the staff at Applebee’s in North Huntingdon was looking for a project for its annual fundraiser for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
But the stars aligned and on Aug. 3, Applebee’s will host a 12-hour concert at the VenUe in Manor benefiting the foundation that fights childhood cancer. Doors will open at 1 p.m. Kelso said the event, which is open to all ages, will feature 11 of the 12 bands on the debut compilation album.
Local bands scheduled to perform include Adelaide in Autumn, Inbound, Highway Louie, Across the Dawn, FUBAR, Sourloon, REDSON, Caught on Sight, Steve Hawk and So Death Cannot Find Me. Playgrounds, the 12th band on the album, could not make the event.
Kelso, of Jeannette, sings and plays rhythm guitar with Highway Louie and works part-time at Applebee’s. He said all proceeds of each $15 concert ticket will benefit the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
“It’s an all volunteer effort. Everything was donated,” Kelso said.
A veteran’s group will benefit from food and drink sales, he said.
“Everything is going to charity,” he said.
Ken Wagner, general manager at Applebee’s in North Huntingdon, said the concert is part of a month-long fundraiser the restaurant hosts annually for the charity. Last year, the restaurant raised nearly $18,000 for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and has raised nearly $100,000 for the charity in recent years.
Kelso said the benefit concert will feature a cash bar, food and a 50-50 raffle. Tickets will be available at the door and in advance at Applebee’s in North Huntingdon and at the Manor American Legion, which owns the VenUe.
The VenUe also hosts a free open mic night every Monday for local bands, Kelso said.
