R5 PRODUCTIONS: Hello – We wanted to thank everyone who came out to the Punk Rock Flea Market this past weekend! As the flea market continues to grow in popularity we recently decided to add a charitable contribution to it. Thankfully several thousand of you came out on Saturday and Sunday and we are very happy to let you know that we are able to donate $10,000 to the rehabilitation of Ralph Brooks Park in the Point Breeze section of South Philadelphia (via the Make The World Better Foundation – please read more about it below). On July 12, 1988, 7-year-old Ralph Brooks Jr. was running toward his grandmother’s house on 20th Street near Dickinson in South Philadelphia when a bullet hit him from behind, severing his spinal cord. Today, Brooks is remembered by a local basketball park a block away at 20th and Tasker Streets that was named after him, as his story, over time, has severely impacted the surrounding neighborhood. The most striking feature of the park is a wall that displays the names of people who have been affected by acts of violence. It is an evocative backdrop that challenges the neighborhood to overcome its history.
(ralph brooks park mural w/ victims names)
Plans are in place for a massive construction project that will transform this desolate and out of commission park in to a full active and thriving center of activity in just a few months. A large community farm / urban garden will be constructed, a new state of the art basketball court will be built, well lit and SAFE play areas for children will be added. Park tables, benches, planting strips, new fencing and even a green roof community kiosk will take the place of vacant neighboring lots. Top all of that off with a large mural by renowned Philadelphia artist Steve Powers (aka ESPO). This will make such a dramatic change for the better of Philadelphia. All that there is left to do is raise the necessary funds to complete it.
(plans for the eventual new park)
We recently befriended Philadelphia Eagle Connor Barwin who has been attending shows all over Philly for the past year (he has the distinction of being the only professional athlete in Philly who regularly attends shows at the first unitarian church.) Over the last few months a discussion begun to take place on how we could set up a benefit concert for his Make The World Better Foundation that could make a HUGE and IMMEDIATE impact right here in Philadelphia. After personally touring several sites and events he decided the aforementioned Ralph Brooks park needed the most attention and help. Most benefit shows tend to be social events or just a usual show that raises a small amount of money. They are certainly helpful, but we wanted to set something up where this show would make a BIG DIFFERENCE. After a few meetings were were fortunate to be able to confirm our dream local headliner, Kurt Vile & The Violators. Our ideal young Philly band, The Districts and an awesome out of town group, The Tontons. All three have generously donated their time and talents will play a benefit show next Friday June 20th at Union Transfer. Union Transfer will be donating the venue and ALL of the bar proceeds from the night. This is a very rare benefit show where 100% of every dollar that you spend goes to the cause. To put this benefit over the top – Connor has decided to personally match the funds raised from this show and write a check out of his own pocket. So if the show raises $30,000. Connor will donate an additional $30,000! 2X the contribution! This will be by BY FAR the most positive and important event we host all year. Every single dollar of the ticket sales and bar proceeds will be doubled and will go straight towards making a big difference in Philadelphia. It’s pretty rare to be able to help out your fellow Philadelphians with just the purchase of a concert ticket but you’ll be doing just that (and it’s a pretty sick lineup!) For those who have the means to help out even more, we ask that you consider purchasing a VIP / MEET & GREET ticket which includes a one hour private open bar before the show, a fully catered buffet and the chance to hang with several Eagles players including Connor Barwin, LeSean McCoy, DeMeco Ryans, Jason Kelce, Brent Celek, Trent Cole and several more. In addition we’ll have several unique prizes up for raffle that evening including: Eagles jerseys and memorabilia, Kurt Vile’s personal arsenal of pedals and keyboards, autographed rare records from several bands and more! This should be a really fun and special night and we sincerely hope that you can make it out.
You can get more information and purchase tickets via the link above. If you can not make the show but still would like donate you can e-mail theteam@mtwbproject.org or donate direct via this link So once again thanks and we hope to see you at this amazing show/benefit next Friday. Let’s make a difference ! xo/r5