Concert to benefit MARC

Music for a Cause will have its sixth benefit concert on Monday, Jan. 13 at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center (MARC)

This concert will benefit the MARC.

The benefit concerts, which began last June with Monday outdoor concerts at the Moab Backyard Theater has benefited area non-profits like the Moab Tool Shed, Moab Free Health Clinic, Moab Pride, Youth Garden Project and KZMU community radio.

“The turn-out has been really, really good. We’ve had some really fantastic shows,” said Scott Ibex, who started the concert series. “I can’t thank the community enough for supporting the concert series and these charities.”

The idea for creating a concert series to benefit area non-profits arrived as a group of musicians talked about their love for music and their love for Moab after a jam session at The Blu Pig.

By the end of the discussion, Music for a Cause, was born.

“We started talking about how we could help the community with our music,” Ibex said. “All the musicians are very excited to participate in a monthly event that will benefit the community of Moab.”

This month’s concert will feature Ibex on guitar accompanied by Tory Davis on percussion. The Moab Kriya Band, Ryan Barnum and the Bentley Brothers will perform. There may even be a few surprises with additional performers, Ibex said.

“One hundred percent of the donations benefit the MARC’s awesome non-profit mission: to build and sustain a vibrant, creative community,” Ibex said.

Ariel Atkins, the asst. director of the MARC, said that they are excited to benefit from Music for a Cause.

“It’s a natural fit our organization, not only do we have the venue space to host these locally created concerts but our mission is to build creative community,” Atkins said.

The MARC is now launching its winter arts programs for adults with ten classes.

“The concert and other upcoming events really brings us into the New Year busting with creativity and community,” Atkins said.

The donations will benefit the scholarship program the MARC has now, to provide classes for those who may not otherwise be able to afford.

The concert series is part of a life choice that Ibex made a year ago, to focus on gratitude.

“I just really love being able to perform music for a living,” Ibex said. “I’m thankful for that opportunity.”

The focus on gratitude opened his life.

“It makes you care about other people and things besides yourself a lot of more,” Ibex said. “It minimizes your own personal problems and allows you to focus on bigger and better things. Music for a Cause is one of those things.”

When: 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, Jan. 13

Where: Moab Arts and Recreation Center, 111 E. 100 North

Cost: By donation, to benefit the Moab Arts and Recreation Center

“One hundred percent of the donations benefit the MARC’s awesome non-profit mission: to build and sustain a vibrant, creative community.”

Music for a Cause raises funds for non-profits through monthly concert series