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Autism fundraising concert returning to Gulf High

SUNCOAST NEWS file photo

The band Everyone Disappear! rocks the stage at a student-organized fundraiser concert at Gulf High School, in New Port Richey, last year for the University of South Florida's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. Organizers are hoping reprising the 2009 event during the school year will help draw an even bigger crowd.

By KLINT LOWRY | The Suncoast News

Published: May 12, 2009

Updated:

NEW PORT RICHEY - Last year, a handful of Gulf High School students gave the old movie cliche, "Hey, kids, let's put on a show!" a modern interpretation and wound up producing a fairly successful rock concert, raising $1,050 for the University of South Florida's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.

This year, with experience on their side, Steve Toth, Britt Smith and M.J. Pereyra are playing the rock 'n' roll impresario roll once again, hoping to outdo themselves.

The second annual "Project: Rock for Autism" will take place from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. this Saturday, May 16, at Gulf High School's Des Little Stadium, 5355 School Road.

Once again, the concert will be a benefit for the USF's CARD program, which assists families, service providers and community organizations and agencies in supporting children and adults with autism and related disabilities.

Pasco County public high school students are required to perform community service projects as a requirement for graduation. While this will fulfill that requirement, Toth said, that's incidental. There are easier ways to earn that credit than to organize a concert.

"It's all just the three of us," Toth said. He, Smith and Pereyra lined up the bands, arranged for all the staging, handled publicity, worked with the school district and got "a ton" of permits.

They also canvassed the community for sponsors. They include: Artistic Liposculpting Center; Dobies Funeral Homes & Crematory; Dan P. Montzka, M.D.; Gulf Coast Retina Center; Florenda Fortner, M.D.; Internal Medicine & Clinical Anti-Aging Center; Greg's Barber Shop; Judy's Cards & Gifts; Kelly's Dance Academy; Law Offices of Lucas, Green & Magazine; Leo's Barber Shop; Target Stores; Trinity Seafood; Trinity Yoga Studio; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Holiday Post No. 10167.

The motivation to go through all this not just once but twice is personal, Toth said. Smith's brother is autistic, and she wanted to do something to help autism locally. Toth is in a band and had a sense of the local musical community.

"We got together and decided we wanted to use our skills," Toth said.

While they were happy with last year's results, they've made a few changes that should make the concert more successful. Last year, they drew a crowd of about 250, not bad considering it was in the middle of the summer.

The bands scheduled to appear include the Distance, Tomatoes and Radio Wires, Late Night Glory, THD and the headline act, Worst Case Scenario. Members of those bands include students from Gulf, Mitchell and River Ridge high schools. With the concert in May, it can be promoted at all three schools to the most likely audience.

Tickets are $3. Sponsors Beef O'Brady's and Vickie's Shaved Ice will serve as concessionaires, with a portion of their proceeds going toward the fundraiser total.

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