Red Cross Gets Band-Aid

An impromptu night of somber yet rollicking Mardi Gras is blowing into the legendary Cat's Cradle.

"Everybody here has good intentions," said Cat's Cradle owner Frank Heath of Saturday's Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert.

As part of the event, a quickly assembled hodgepodge of noteworthy acts will provide a full night of rocking out to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. About the fundraiser, Heath admitted, "The bands were easy to assemble; they volunteered without lifting a finger on our part-. They were pleased as punch to do it."

Only a venue with cache equal to that of Cat's Cradle-the Carrboro-based music club that regularly attracts critically acclaimed bands like Yo La Tengo, Death Cab for Cutie and The Indigo Girls-could throw together a benefit show of this magnitude. "Hopefully the benefit will translate into better awareness of what's going on down there," Heath said.

Introducing alternative bands to the surrounding area is only the tip of the metaphorical iceberg. Frank Heath is known for his eclecticism when it comes to musical selections, keeping the scene interesting and new every night the Cradle is open.

In fact, the show starting at 6 p.m. boasts a packed lineup of eight bands. Reflecting the multi-faceted personality of the Cradle, the assorted acts don't fall into one particular musical category. San Diego outfit Slewfoot will attract hard rock listeners, Raleigh's Nathan Asher and the Infantry, the soul/hip hop crowd, and Spencer Acuff out of Carrboro, the classic rock aficionados-not to mention infamous South Carolinian Cool John Ferguson, a guitarist since the age of 3 who dabbles in all styles. To top off the show, Abe Reid and The Spike Drivers will be closing at 1 a.m. with a self-described boogie-woogie musical style and raucous lyrical tomfoolery comparable to that of Allen Ginsberg.

Suggested donations are $12. As written on the Cradle's website, "Proceeds will be directed to the American Red Cross and to the Music Maker Relief Foundation, which is providing direct assistance to pioneering musicians who reside in the stricken areas of the country. To double the impact, all ticket sales will be matched dollar for dollar by pledges from local businesses."