Urban Flats Cranks Up the Volume for VIP Party

Luckily Lake Eola park does not have a roof, because we would have just blown it off with this announcement. Rock For Hunger's VIP Party is already a VIP party like none other here in Orlando, with a feeding and entertainment session bridging the gap between the local homeless, the sponsors, the bands and the fans. We really wanted to give our amazing Monday night cooks a night off and enjoy a night talking to friends and enjoying the landscape.

This has been made possible by an amazing donation by Urban Flats in Downtown Orlando. The Downtown Location will be providing 250 meals for our homeless friends, volunteers, bands and friends.

About Urban Flats:

As a young girl, Suzanne Bonham dreamed of a career that would fulfill her passion for food, fun and hospitality. Her aspirations would take her to the place famous for making dreams come true—Walt Disney World. Suzanne was fortunate to have traveled the globe, including to Europe and Africa, teaching others the magic of a memorable guest experience.

While this international adventure was truly amazing, Suzanne’s life dream was to build her own unique dining experience. In 2004, she founded Urban Flats® as a “refined casual” restaurant and wine bar where the centuries-old flatbread is given a modern new twist with interesting, fresh and healthy ingredients. And, the tastefully selected wines from around the world pair perfectly with your gourmet flat.

Remember that at the event you can be guaranteed a meal if you purchase a VIP ticket for $50. The homeless will be fed first, then VIP's, then active volunteers and then everyone else.

You can join us in Lake Eola to kick off Rock For Hunger Fest weekend, Friday, from 5-9pm. We will be showing Playing For Change, playing music and having some sports to keep us all entertained.

Show your support to the Downtown Urban Flats by going in lunch or dinner, grab a drink at their Wine Down Wednesdays or for your next luncheon event. The downtown location can be found at 183 South Orange Ave, Suite 100 Orlando, FL 32801 on the corner of Church and Orange.

photo by ZarrSadus

Grab your Rock For Hunger tickets here today for only $10.

-Greg

Read more...

Bowl For Hunger Rocks Their Way to Helping the Homeless

(raffle winners)

On Saturday, April 11th Rock For Hunger held its first ever Bowl-A-Thon ironically dubbed Bowl For Hunger. The event was organized and promoted by our inaugural intern class of 2009. The event was a great success, with much learned and much achieved.

We wanted to say thanks to a few cool groups that Rocked with us and lent a supporting hand:

• A Gift For Teaching brought out a team and bowled their way into 2nd place
• NEMA House sponsored a team of 3 homeless individuals who had smiles on their faces and spares in their frames by the end of the night! It was a great sight to see.
• Altamonte Lanes helped us out and provided a great venue for the event (plus a Dale Earnhardt Jr. Commemorative Bowling Ball as our feature raffle prize!)

The winning bowling team consisted of Trina, Evan and Patrick - team name censored - who edged out the Psycho Strike - O's by 2 points!

(the winning team from left to right - Patrick, Evan and Trina)

The real winner of the event was the Orlando homeless community, where the awareness and funds raised will help Rock For Hunger develop the Talk 4 Hunger Program and continue to grow the lifestyle and career development training as past of the Dreams Center.

Thank you to all 14 teams that came out and helped us to continue to give dreams those in need in our hometown! Keep Rocking For Hunger and we'll see you tonight at the food sharing!

(Chris Goyzueta throws one down the lane to fight Poverty in Orlando, FL)

-Greg and the Rock For Hunger Staff

Read more...

Bowl For Hunger - April 11th - Altamonte Lanes

(Click on picture to enlarge)

*Update - Register your team right here, right now!*

Rock For Hunger has been branching out in the last few months thanks in part to an awesome pool of volunteers and interns that have stepped up and decided to make an impact in the Orlando community. The Spring Interns have been working very hard and are very excited to throw their first official event, Bowl For Hunger! The event is a play on a Bowl-A-Thon which will take place on Saturday, April 11th at the Altamonte Lanes in Altamonte Springs, FL.

Check out the official press release below!

Anyone can think of an idea, but few make it a reality. Rock for Hunger started off as an idea and a community project by a group of UCF students and now these students have become leaders in the Central Florida community by providing a voice for the homeless through music and peace, one person at a time. Today, Rock for Hunger is a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization that inspires large groups of local supporters and volunteers to feed over two hundred individuals every week. Rock for Hunger also develops tutoring programs for at-risk students and works to create job training and housing programs for the Central Florida homeless community. The results have significantly influenced many homeless individuals to overcome their hardships, giving them hope for the future

This year, on Saturday, April 11th 2009, Rock for Hunger is hosting its First annual Bowl-A-Thon at Altamonte Lanes in Altamonte Springs, FL at 7pm. Events includes live acoustic music and a silent auction. Bowl for Hunger will give the people of Central Florida the opportunity to help raise money for The Dream Center, a place where the homeless can receive financial and career training, learn about Rock for Hunger, and most importantly, the opportunity to provide education, food, jobs, and more to those struck by poverty. Our goal is to raise over $1000 for Rock for Hunger. The price is $25 per team of three or $10 for individuals. This is a new year with new history being made, so be a part of the spirit of change by giving back to your community. Come out and join the fun to make a difference and support Rock for Hunger’s efforts in spreading awareness about homelessness and poverty in Central Florida through music and peace.

What: 1st Annual Bowl For Hunger 2009
Who: Rock for Hunger
Where: Altamonte Lanes
280 Douglas Ave
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
When: Saturday April 11th 2009

For more information, please visit: www.rockforhunger.org or greg@rockforhunger.org.

I hope to get electronic sign-up sheets online this afternoon so you can start getting your team of 3 ready to Rock, er, Bowl For Hunger!

We are also looking for lane sponsors. If you know anyone that would like to sponsor this event, sponsor packages start at $50, which in Rock For Hunger economics can feed up to 200 people or send 5 children on a learning excursion to create and inspire dreams! Send an email to greg@rockforhunger.org.

-Greg Rollett

Read more...

All Kinds of Rock For Hunger Fest Coverage

This year once again we really stressed the impact the internet has on young people and how information can spread easily and quickly. I wanted to give a big shout out to the following blogs, online magazines, newspapers and others that spread the word of the festival, and some that even let me say a few things!

Central Florida Future - UCF alum, bands Rock For Hunger

Orlando MetBlogs - Rock For Hunger This Weekend

Living Orlando - Rock For Hunger and help change Orlando


Orlando Weekly - Body and Soul (Peter Baldwin feature + Rock For Hunger preview)


Orlando JobSpot - The Employment Guide Rocks For Hunger

Pulse of Central Florida - Central Florida's 3rd Annual Rock For Hunger

Reax Magazine - Orlando | Rock For Hunger Fest

SomaCow - SomaCow 246 Rock For Hunger

Central Florida Community Guide - Kardinal Offishall and Local Musicians to Rock Orlando To Fight Hunger

Review Orlando - Rock For Hunger Fest 3 at the Plaza Theatre

Orange State Rantings - Rock For Hunger Fest

The Sandspur - Orlando to Rock For Hunger

jamblr - jamblr at Rock For Hunger Fest 3

If I missed anyone, please send it over to greg.rollett@endagon.com and I'll add it to the list.

Again if you have any pictures, videos, stories or anything to add about Rock For Hunger Fest 3, please join our new network and add your part in Rock For Hunger!

-Greg Rollett

Read more...

Featured Artist of the Week: Cori Yarckin

When asked who Rock for Hunger's most devoted and benevolent allies in the local music field are, Cori Yarckin always seems to be present in the reply. Since the inauguration of Rock for Hunger back in November of 2006, Yarckin has been setting an example, and getting involved strictly for the cause. There are not many local caring musicians that can compare their own contributions to what she has done for the community in the last few years. Aside from Rock for Hunger, Cori has also been heavily involved in "Rock for a Cure," an organization that aids in the awareness and eradication of breast cancer.

Cori Yarckin is not just a primogeniture of Rock for Hunger, but also for female-fronted artists. For the last few years, Yarckin has led a fleet of feminine musicians that possess mimetic tendencies. Despite the raillery that Yarckin has been forced to endure from time to time, she has managed to be recognized in Rolling Stone Magazine and developed a major prominence on the music pages of MySpace.

There is no question that Cori Yarckin is on the verge of breaking out. Last year, she and her band decided to mildly alter their sound, in order to stray from the harm of any pop stereotypes. With a new album due out soon, the music is a little more rugged and edgier this time around, while still continuing to enlist the powers of catchy hooks. Anybody that isn't feeling too pertinacious about Yarckin's music should check out a few of her new tracks on her MySpace page. The tunes "Sucks To Be You" and "Daddy Don't Know" are prime examples of what Cori Yarckin is destined to become.

I conclude this post by encouraging any and all reader remonstration regarding Cori Yarckin. I guarantee that one will be forced to resort to supplication for their own well-being after doing so, however. Yarckin will always not only be a great singer and musician, but also a great friend and supporter. As our relationship together continues to grow, both entities will remain imprimaturs of one another, ultimately equating to two Orlando powerhouses joining together to support one amazing cause.

Check out Cori Yarckin live in Orlando, FL on January 19th at the Social.

Upcoming Schedule:

19 Jan 2008 9:00 P

The Social

Orlando, Florida

- Logan Lenz; Treasurer/ Event Coordinator, Rock For Hunger
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
-Mother Theresa

Read more...

Featured Artist of the Week: Social Ghost

If there were ever a lacuna that existed in your personal realm of Orlando’s local music scene, Social Ghost would be the band to fill it. As a three-piece progressive pop group that have self-described their music as being “odd-time pop,” The Ghost possess some of the catchiest, infectious, and mind-blowing sequences out there today. Having been around for a few years now, their unbelievable talents have strayed from becoming any form of an Arcanum, for their popularity has increased dramatically in the recent months. Perhaps their brief stint on a tour with Alice in Chains can be attributed to that – although not completely.

Aside from their music, which simply needs to be heard to believed, the best part about The Ghost is their constant benevolence and involvement with Rock For Hunger. These three guys were not only one of the major performers at Rock For Hunger 2 in November, but they also participated in other RFH events prior. Needless to say, this three-piece is far from being fainéant. For an established band to invest the time (and essentially their paycheck), to support a growing organization should be reason enough for you to check out their music.

While the obdurate music industry becomes more and more friable everyday, it is also becoming more evident that bands like Social Ghost will be the leaders of the independent artist revolution in the future. Please do yourself a favor and enjoy the beauty and potential of Social Ghost’s music before everyone else does. Take my word for it that they will become an established touring band in the near future. It will definitely be a great pleasure to see all of the creative and expressive artists, like the Ghost, riding the wave of digital music soon, while the major labels continue to scrabble for their next bad idea.

You can check out the band live on Saturday night at the Social with Gargamel and RFH vets Through You. Their upcoming show schedule is listed below. Visit their MySpace page for more information: http://www.myspace.com/socialghost

Upcoming Schedule:

11 Jan 2008 7:00 P	The Pit	Jacksonville, Florida
12 Jn 2008 9:00 P	The Social w/Gargamel & Through You	Orlando (Downtown), Florida

- Logan Lenz; Treasurer/ Event Coordinator, Rock For Hunger

Read more...

Featured Artist of the Week: Fall Term

There is something special about bands that feature a female lead vocal. Whether it is the femininity, the innocence, or the higher-pitched voice, the energy levels of such bands tend to be heightened, and the live performances more fun. Although this presumption may be a biased one, for I am male, it would be gnomic and completely accurate for me to declare Fall Term a new band that possesses each of the aforementioned attributes. Rock For Hunger and I, as well as many other embracive fans, truly believe in this exuberant group's future and their potential in the music industry.

By fusing vigorous and upbeat backing music with catchy hooks, Fall Term has not quite found their own hermitage, but rather one that may already be occupied by similar acts of today such as Paramore and Meg & Dia. Despite this notion, the band manages the multifarious nature of their genre with precision and conviction. Every single fortunate eardrum that is impacted with the band's aggression and simultaneous timidity are stunned with endless possibility. Only the bibulous and frequently fallible would deny them of their talent and potential.

Anticipating that not all days will be quite as gelid as today, lucky observers and inhabitants of the Central Florida area will have two opportunities to see this ebullient band in action within a one-week span. Check out the band on their official website and their MySpace page. Both links and their upcoming concert schedule are listed below.

http://www.fallterm.com

http://www.myspace.com/fallterm

Upcoming schedule:

4 Jan 2008 8:00 P	BackBooth	Orlando, Florida
11 Jan 2008 8:00 P	The Haven w. Heros of The Storm	Winter Park, Florida

- Logan Lenz; Treasurer/ Event Coordinator, Rock For Hunger

Read more...

Featured Artist of the Week: Union Made

Like many others already are, you may be becoming sick of the mundane arenas of rock being offered on a commercial level these days. It seems that rock bands are being released Pari Passu… with a few radio friendly hits stashed in their tiny pockets. When will all of this change? What about the other guys?; the creative bands doing their own thing, not caring about radio singles, success, and six-figure record deals? It’s definitely about time for those artists to receive what they deserve.

If the introduction of this week’s “Artist of the Week” feature ranted above felt like a tocsin to you, than maybe you should not continue to read on. Anyone that is completely content and accepting of the current state of the “rock scene” and its recent miniscule involvement with the music industry may not be interested in this week’s artist. That’s a shame, however, because Union Made may be one of the nation’s best candidates of the role of “music savior” for our ill-equipped industry of today.

Union Made reigns from the homeland of Rock For Hunger – Orlando, Florida. Within the last few years, vocalist Drew Petrone and the boys have enlisted benefaction with RFH, and assisted in helping us promote and raise funds for our ongoing projects. With that being said, it is obvious that you will not be exposed to any persiflage or calumny from this article. It is also important for one to note that their music speaks for itself. Not only are they such benevolent members of our community, but also a very enjoyable and talented young band.

Union Made uniquely fuses doses of funk, rock, punk, and blues together to make for their own brand of music. Even the finical will find something that they like in the band’s vast array of heavy artillery that they equip themselves with each and every time they take the stage.

Lyrically the group has a lot to say. Without coming off discursive at all, Union Made remains focused on heavy topics that embody today’s world.

Be sure to check out their music on their MySpace page and check them out on New Year’s Eve at AKA Lounge in Downtown Orlando:
http://www.myspace.com/unionmade

Upcoming schedule:

31 Dec 2007 10:00 P

AKA NEW YEARS BASH DOWNTOWN!!!!

Orlando, Florida

- Logan Lenz; Treasurer/ Event Coordinator, Rock For Hunger

Read more...

Erev Xmas

Just a quick heads up - Rock for Hunger will be out this Monday, December 24th. Hunger doesn't take time off for the holidays, and neither do we.

Whether you've come out with us before or not, we'd love to see you on Monday, 6:45pm, at the post office on the corner of Jefferson and Magnolia.
If you can't make it this week, help us make a difference in the new year!

From all of us at Rock for Hunger, Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Read more...

Featured Artist of the Week: Chris Burns

Invading our second installment of "Rock For Hunger Featured Artist of the Week," Orlando's Chris Burns is a musician that possesses a true artifice. With a completely authentic and genuine folk sound, each of his masterful musical attributes complement one another impeccably. The influenced artist cites musicians like Ani Difranco and Ben Folds, perhaps from a songwriting viewpoint, but on a performance level, you may tend to hear more Rocky Votolato than anything else. Being the generous person that he is, you can sample a bunch of his tracks on both of his websites: Chris Burns Radio and www.myspace.com/chrisburnscbradio.

For any skeptical draconian that does not hear Chris Burns' "it" factor has evidently never seen him perform live. Burns' stage presence is far from unfledged. Like many of his influential predecessors, he has mastered the "vocal trumpet," which enables him to coerce any unobservant individual that he is playing with a full band. Give him a few years (and a lot more guitars) and this fellow may turn into the next Keller Williams.

Burns is a class act with extreme potential. Never dressed in dishabille and always jovial, he knows what it takes to make it in the music business. Since the industry has become more frangible than ever before, he may have a shot making a name for himself as a touring independent musician.

Anyone looking to veer away from cacophony to enjoy a night out with a promising and charming young entertainer will unfortunately have to wait until after the new year. Chris Burns can be seen at the following upcoming events:

3 Jan 2008 7:00 P	Capt. Hirams Resort	Sebastian, Florida
5 Jan 2008 9:00 P	Abbey	Deland, Florida
12 Jan 2008 9:30 P	Urban Flats (Heathrow)	Lake Mary, Florida
18 Jan 2008 7:00 P	Coffee Bistro 101	Deland, Florida
19 Jan 2008 9:00 P	Oyster Bay	Orlando, Florida
1 Feb 2008 7:00 P	Coffee Bistro 101	Deland, Florida
9 Feb 2008 8:00 P	Apartment E Private Party	Orlando, Florida
12 Feb 2008 6:00 P	UCF CAMPUS...Rock The Vote!	Orlando, Florida

- Logan Lenz; Treasurer/ Event Coordinator, Rock For Hunger

Read more...

UCF Students give Parramore Residents a Voice

In today's Orlando Sentinel I saw an article which clearly demonstrates the many factors that contribute to poverty and homelessness, particularly in the Orlando community.

You can find a video at "Downtown Makeover Stories," a site created by UCF journalism students.

The entire article can be found through the Orlando Sentinel's website.

- Tristen

Read more...

Volunteers! Get Ready to Rock For Hunger

My living room last night:



25 and 1/2 hours to go. The countdown has begun. Rock For Hunger Kick-off party tonight at Backbooth. 9pm. Rock For Hunger awards,plus Caveman Theory, Union Made, and Sugarfree!

Read more...

Review Orlando Hooks Up With Rock For Hunger II

Thanks to the guys at Review Orlando for throwing up a kick ass banner today! Chalk up another one for home team.

(update: here is the link to the event on the site: Review Orlando!

See you Saturday!

Read more...

Rock For Hunger II Press Continues

So it has really gotten crazy here at Rock For Hunger headquarters. Only 2 days remain until the concert event that will change the lives of many in our community begins. We have really reached out and received a huge amount of press for this event and it is still pouring in. Along with my last 4-5 posts, this will serve as a quick reference guide to everything press related to Rock For Hunger II.

Orlando Weekly:
Calendar Section, Page 14 or the link above!

Cool People Care:
Not only will they be live in attendance but they are hyping the show and our organization to everyone in their network! They are promoting their new book too so stop by their tent! Also check out Sam Dividson's personal blog at http://samdavidson.blogspot.com/ for great upcoming events where Cool People Care!

Orlando Ch. 9 WFTV

AXIS Magazine:
Page 22 or
http://www.axismag.com

Metromix Orlando:
Not only a huge sponsor but showing some online love as well!

Absolute Punk:
Thanks to Schuyler for this one!

Hip-Hop Press.com:

UCF Future:
Thanks to Whitney for hanging with us during the last few days. Look for a follow-up soon!

Look for an article in the Orlando Sentinel tomorrow by our good friend Jim Abbott in the calendar section.

Check out the Employment Guide newspaper for flyers and information.

Run to Borders and grab the latest issue of Create Magazine. Turn to page 30ish or so and check out the winning poster that has also been used as the flyer for the event!

Volunteer UCF
Thanks to Kraesly Creek and the UCF Hunger Banquet Committee for their commitment to Rock For Hunger.

If you still need tickets, and they are flying like hot cakes, get them online at the Rock For Hunger Ticket Center, At Park Ave CD's, the kickoff party Friday night or by delivery by calling me, G-Ro, at 321.438.4442. (Serious inquiries only please!)

Looking forward to Rocking 4 Hunger this Saturday. I know the bands are ready, the 60+ volunteers are ready, our staff is overwhelmed,but ready and i know Sage is pretty siked to be here. As more press comes I will be updating as live as possible.

-G-Ro

Read more...