Rockin Benefit for No on 8

Elisa M Welch presents a fine evening of music and fun for the benefit of a good cause: Marriage Equality USA and its fight to stop Prop 8, the anti-marriage-equality initiative on November's ballot. Scheduled performers include Tom Valtin & Friends, Go Van Gogh, and BHB. Marriage Equality's own Molly McKay will also grace us with a song or two. Please pay what you can, and dig deep if you are able. No one turned away. No on 8!

Founded in 1998, Marriage Equality USA (http://www.marriageequality.org) is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to secure legally recognized civil marriage equality for all, at the federal and state level, without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation.

Tom Valtin & Friends (http://www.tomvaltin.com) is guitarist, songwriter, and singer Tom Valtin, joined by pedal-steel wizard David Phillips and guitarist John Parsons. They'll present an opening set of heartfelt original songs and covers.

Go Van Gogh (http://www.govangogh.net) features sax star and composer Connie Walkershaw and her bass-playing paramour, Jesse; "Bakersfield" Brad Bechtel on lap steel; "Swiss Ms" Michele Walther on violin; "He put the P in Punk" Paul Bergmann on guitar; and "Klassic Kool" Kelvin Burton on drums. They serve up a mix of klezmer, ska, Western swing, and Ingredient X that's so hot, it's melting the pot.

BHB, sometimes known as the Bryan Harrison Band (bryanharrison.net), is an eclectic quartet whose three-part harmony vocals really shine. Founder & guitarist Bryan Harrison writes compelling songs about personal love and heartache and social and political issues. Jim McLaren adds covers of Dylan, Neil Young, Rolling Stones, plus some choice originals, all on solid rhythm guitar and tasty harmonica. Elisa M Welch injects another dose of originals and covers, playing whichever instrument she can lay her hands on. Dave "Djembe" Coan binds it all together with multitimbral rhythms on his expressive West African drum. Bonus question: what else could BHB stand for?