Houlihan?s is teaming up with Vh1 to make sweet music. The restaurant and Vh1 Save the Music Foundation (STMF) have partnered to raise money for music programs in public schools. Houlihan?s in Power Plant will host a benefit concert Sunday featuring Maryland musicians Rebels in Rehab, and Baltimore hip-hop artist Substantial, with all proceeds going to the Foundation.
Since 1999, 80 music programs in the Baltimore City Public School System have been either reinstated or supplemented by Vh1?s foundation ? an effort totaling $2 million in musical instruments and curriculum.
Larry Friend, the Coordinator of Fine Arts with Baltimore City Public Schools, said the benefits of music education are unlimited. “The most immediate response from the children is that they have something in school to look forward to. When we look at the whole child, [music education] can increase testing scores on the SAT. It enables the student to become a more critical thinker. All of those skills, in the future, lead to a more rounded individual who is able to not only appreciate society, but to contribute to society in a meaningful way.”
Jen Gulvik, Vice Presidentof Marketing at Houlihan?s pointed out that the issue was one that she ? and Houlihan?s ? was unfamiliar with. “I didn?t know that a lot of schools were losing funding. It?s unthinkable,” she said. “To think about kids growing up without access to music … where is the next wave of artists going to come from if kids aren?t exposed to musical training?”
Melanie Miller, Vice President of Public Relations at The Sugar Association, persuaded her company to underwrite the concert when she found out about the decline of music education programs in Baltimore. “Music and art are two things that really give kids a chance to express themselves and really excel, and taking that away from the schools is not good.”
Houlihan?s has also agreed to donate the proceeds from the sales of their mini desserts through the end of March.
IF YOU GO
Houlihan?s Restaurants Inc. and Vh1 Save the Music Foundation?s Benefit Concert featuring Rebels in Rehab and Substantial
WHERE: Houlihan?s Restaurant, 621 E. Pratt St., Baltimore
WHEN: 5 p.m. Sunday
TICKETS: $25 to $45
INFO: 443-872-0058
