It started with a conversation at a band practice.
Then Melissa Mitchell put a message on social media, asking fellow musicians if they’d be interested at performing at a fundraiser to benefit victims of ex-Typhoon Halong in Western Alaska.
Mitchell, who fronts the popular Alaska band Hope Social Club, was shocked by the response.
Within just a few weeks, Mitchell and her friends, including many in the music and arts community, had organized a full-day benefit they hope will make an impact for the hundreds of displaced Western Alaska residents.
The Relief For Western Alaska benefit will start at 2 p.m. Saturday at Williwaw Social and go deep into the night, with some of the biggest names in Alaska music taking the stage to help raise funds.
“It was sort of like a thought bubble that came out of my head and just exploded into something real,” Mitchell said.
The bill includes Quinn Christopherson, H3, The Meat Rockets, Pepper Kit, Good Company, The Roland Roberts Band, Shady Pines Retirement Home and many more.
Once Mitchell saw the response from local musicians, the next step was finding a venue.
Lauren Langford, who works in event planning and marketing at Williwaw, reached out to Mitchell and said the venue was interested in donating the venue to host.
“I can’t believe that this has come together in the span of no more than two weeks,” Langford said. “I’m hoping that the community rallies and joins us on Saturday.”
Mahri Lowinger has handled auction items for the event. She said she has a friend who lost their home in Kipnuk, and she has been looking for a way to help. Businesses like Shirts Up have donated to the cause and several people have donated items for a live auction and raffle.
“The community has been so incredibly generous,” Lowinger said.
With two stages hosting performers, local music lovers have plenty of options. And the fundraiser will go late into the night with a DJ set starting at 11 p.m. featuring Posterchild.
But there are also family-friendly activities planned from 2-6 p.m., including games, a coloring station, face painting and an appearance from a clown.
The organizers also hope to have some speakers in between the musical performances to offer information and context on the Western Alaska disaster and fallout.
Tickets are $15 and available online. Attendees are encouraged to bring donation items.
Mitchell said she has no direct connection to Western Alaska. But from growing up in Kasilof and living in Girdwood, she grew up with a strong sense of community support in those small towns.
“That’s the way it’s always been, when someone’s in need, we go for it,” she said.
“It’s not even like I know a lot of people personally, but it has brought me closer to a lot of people in our community too, that do have direct ties (to Western Alaska). You know, it’s educated me, and that’s kind of the point.”
Another major fundraiser will be held this weekend for victims of the disaster. The Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fundraiser is from 6-9 p.m. Friday at the Alaska Native Heritage Center (8800 Heritage Center Drive). It includes a silent auction, donations at the door, a raffle, online donation opportunities, a spaghetti feed, a cake walk and Alaska Native dance performances.