Saturday night, Wilton rocked–to the (literal) tune of $125,000. This past weekend the annual Wilton Rocks for Food benefit concert was held at Trackside Teen Center and after the night ended, organizer Andy Schlesinger said the event had surpassed the $100,000 goal he set out, and then some.
“Between ticket sales, sponsors, donors, and the silent auction, Wilton Rocks for Food 4 raised $125,000 to support the Wilton Food Pantry and the Connecticut Food Bank. One hundred percent of all money raised goes to these worthy organizations,” he posted on Facebook, adding that since the first concert was held three years ago, the effort has raised $280,000 altogether.
Schlesinger started the Wilton Rocks for Food house band with fellow musicians Dan Berg and Brennan Gildersleeve in 2015. The music event features more than 30 musicians playing four hours of music to a sold out crowd of 300 people.
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All Photos & Video courtesy Brian Kesselman
Special Mention: Bankwell donated $6,500 to Wilton Rocks for Food as a lead sponsor. The bank is also matching donations to the CT Food Bank through Dec. 31, 2018 made through their Bankwell self-service coin machines, including at the branch in Wilton, which is available during regular banking hours.
Schlesinger posted a long thank you list on Facebook as well:
“The Musicians, without whom I’d be a really bad solo act:
First and foremost, the world’s greatest house band–Dan Berg on bass/vocals/keys and Brennan Gildersleeve on drums/vocals. Without their amazing talent and unlimited dedication this event would not exist.
We had 35 musicians play this year and each gave an amazing performance.
Vocals: Kelley Addison, Jason Coviello, Brian Fitzgerald, Jeff Fox, Marilyn Garvin, Matt Greene, Diane Knox, Gerry Lee, Mike Oliver, Patty Perry, Adrienne Reedy, Donna Savage, Dave Sonatore, Joan Wallace, and Karen Williams
Guitar: Scott Bender, Ian Brown, Matt Greene, Jack Jackson, Mike Oliver, Ben Randol, Andy Schlesinger, Alex Sherk, Dave Sonatore, and John Taylor
Bass: Tim Flanagan, McNeil Johnson, and Bruce Reznik
Keyboards: Kelley Addison, Dan Berg, and Tom Santocroce
Strings: McNeil Johnson and Alysia Love
Drums and Percussion: Greg Feldman, Brian Gruseke, Dave McNamara, and Chris Peacock
Sax: Dave Gould
The Sponsors whose support and generosity is deeply appreciated.
Bankwell, The Schlesinger Family, The Nielsen Foundation, Chris Stroup, The Alexander Family Foundation, Jason Coviello and Paula Smith, ASML, Ed’s Garage Doors, Tito’s Homemade Vodka, Jeff Johnson and Jackie Bayne, Rodger and Lori Smith, Metroflor, Natalia Chefer, Steve and Tamara Kalin, Blue Buffalo, Michael Crystal, Louis Dreyfus Investments, Edgewater Markets, Inspira Marketing Group, Joel and Dawn Jasinski, Lynn and Paul Vanderslice, Dan and Julie Wilson, Elias and Vera Abud, John and Deb Chrabolowski, Brennan and Melanie Gildersleeve, Cathy Hepworth, Eric Jayaweera, Jessica Johnson, Greg Pinchbeck, Glen and Amy Rich, Russ and Kim Rogg, Jeff and Janet Siegel
Silent Auction Donors (Please shop local):
Special Thank You to Kim (Monica Geller) Rogg for making this such a success.
Addison voice, Anytime Fitness, Aroma Spa, B Chic, Beardsley Travelling Art Framing, Tim Birch, Blue Star Bazaar, Bragg Builders, Breitling, Cactus Rose, Captain Obvious Band, The Crabshell, Create Learning, Jason Coviello, Dinner at your Door, Ed’s Garage Doors, Elegant Lens Photography, Flour Salt Bread Bakery, Peggy Garbus Photography, A.J. Gundel Music, Goldenberry, GoGo Tuners, Leslie Hueglin, Hiit Kick Fitness, Inspira Marketing Group, Jackie Jackson Yoga, Jade Active Lifestyle, McNeil Johnson, Joyride Wilton, Tara Kovach, Michael Kelly Guitars, The Lake Club, William Lalor, Gerry Lee, The Little Pub, Malin and Goetz Cosmetics, Massage Green Spa, Metroflor, N&C Equestrian, The NFL, Nod Hill, Open House Gift Shop, Outlaw Energy Drink, Painted Cookie, Parlor Restaurant, Passage East Kennels, Chris Peacock, Pepperidge Farm, Pilates Advantage, The Pizza Truck, PTP Fitness, Ring’s End, Ripkas Cafe, Rockwell Framing, Salem Golf Club, Andy Schlesinger, School of Rock, Signature Style, Cindy Sinor, Rodger and Lori Smith, The Spread Sono, Total Wine, Trackside Teen Center, The Voice Studio, Joan Wallace, The Well, Wilton Hardware, Wilton Playshop
The Party
Kim Pearson, the capo di tutti i capo. No one can organize and put on a party like she can. I may have to marry her.
Deb Chrabolowski, Barb Cunningham, Jennifer Gruseke, Dawn Jasinski, and Karen Silverberg,
The Bartenders: Rich Cunningham, Brian Gruseke, Joel Jasinski, and Russ Rogg
Wine provided by the Zac Brown Band, courtesy of Gerry Lee and Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits.
The Wilton Rocktail provided by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Gerry Lee
Beer provided by Andy Schlesinger and Kim Pearson. Tap system courtesy of Jason Coviello
Poster Design Rob Phelps Design
Photography Brian Kesselman, Jeff Johnson
Sound AJ Audio
Trackside Teen Center graciously donated by Mark Ketley