Local nonprofit targets $10,000 goal at December benefit concert

Gifts of Music NW is setting a goal of $10,000 for its upcoming benefit concert, which is more than double the amount raised during last year’s event. The organization uses the funds to pay for music education programs for youth and seniors in Bellingham who face economic or social barriers.

The concert will take place on Wednesday, December 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Firehouse Events Center. The evening will feature a performance by the local band Hot Damn Scandal. A silent auction will also be held, with bids closing at 7 p.m. Items for auction include restaurant gift certificates, handmade art, and music lessons donated by local businesses.

Tickets are available for purchase now. Early bird pricing is set at $20 plus fees for buyers who purchase before November 15. After that date, the price rises to $30 plus fees. Interested parties can contact Bo Bestvina, the director of Gifts of Music NW, for questions or to buy advance tickets.

In 2026, the nonprofit provided music education to more than 75 teens. These sessions took place at the Whatcom Juvenile Detention Center, the YMCA, and the SeaMar Youth Treatment Center. The group also conducts weekly song circles for over 60 seniors in assisted living facilities. These sessions are designed to support memory and foster connection among residents.

Bestvina describes a recent class at the juvenile detention center to illustrate the impact of the program. He started the session with a djembe drum circle. One student held her drum in a way that differed from the standard technique. When Bestvina suggested a different grip, the student placed the drum in the center of the room and sat down, staring at the ceiling. She said she was good and did not want to play.

Bestvina took a breath and told the class it was fine if she sat out. The group continued playing. Another student began singing “Sugar Boom Boom,” and the class worked together to create drum parts to accompany her. The student who had sat out became engaged and looked to Bestvina for permission to join in. By the end of the class, she asked when he would return.

Bestvina later discussed the interaction with a volunteer. He realized the student needed permission to express her frustration rather than a lecture on teamwork. He noted that many of the young people in the program do not often receive permission to express their feelings at home or school. The program provides safe adults who listen to and respect the students.

Hot Damn Scandal is described by the organization as a band that plays outlaw ballads, string band funk, and lonesome heart breakers. Their style is labeled “Cabaret Americana” and is characterized as theatrical, orchestral, and lyrical. The band’s music is noted for being endlessly danceable.