2023 Oakland Indiefest: East Palestine Benefit
Donation protected
Hello Everyone,
My name is Adam Klenovich, and on behalf of BlackLodgePGH, I am pleased to announce The Oakland Indie Festival, a 10-hour music festival that will support those affected by the East Palestine Train Derailment
The Oakland Indie Festival is a one-day charitable music festival that aims to raise donations and awareness for families and local businesses affected by the East Palestine Train Derailment. Taking place on Saturday, April 29th at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park, the festival will showcase the talents of Oakland's thriving music scene.
Beneficiaries
After meeting with community members and local businesses to understand the most effective forms of support, we have decided to partner with The Way Station, East Palestine School District, and the Walker family. Proceeds from The Oakland Indie Festival will be evenly split between these three partners.
Shelby's Story
Shelby Walker has five kids and four grandchildren, some of whom live with her and her husband, Paul, in a wood frame house that sits directly behind the site where the mile-long train derailed and later exploded. Shelby is one of many East Palestine residents who got tested at a medical lab after feeling ill since the derailment two months ago. She tested positive for benzene and vinyl chloride, which were detected in her urine.
We had the opportunity to meet with Shelby at her home, where she showed us around her backyard where multiple tankers had previously derailed onto her property following the derailment. Since the derailment, she had to relocate her children and grandchildren due to concern for their health at home. With the difficulty of finding a short-term residence that is willing to accommodate her large family and multiple pets, Shelby and Paul still reside at the home, even with the potential health risks. "There are nights when my husband and I are still staying at home while my older daughter has the kids and grandkids at the hotel. It just depends on if there's availability for everybody or not."
Shelby is proud to be one of our local guest speakers and will be commencing the festival at noon during the opening statement!
Visit our beneficiaries below to learn more.
Our Artists
The festival will commence at noon, featuring nine local artists over ten hours, culminating with the final performance at 10 pm. Along with the charitable significance of the event, the festival aims to expose audiences to the immense creative talent present in Oakland and further enhance the Oakland/Pittsburgh creative scene as a whole.
With performances from Clay Coast, Moon Town, Trip Lotus, Wild Blue Yonder, Pitter Patter, Mr.Dr, Quiet Hours, Sedona, and Funky Lamp, we are pleased to offer audiences a sampling of some of the best bands from Oakland. You can learn more about our artists below!
More than just music!
With our list of special guest speakers of local business owners, environmental activists and community leaders, audiences will hear real in-person accounts from those affected.
After meeting with local business owners, we have featured multiple on our website and social media and will continue to promote as many local businesses as possible to help combat the decline in foot traffic caused by the train derailment. Visit the link below to learn more about local businesses and how you can help!
Donate Today
The festival is free of charge and will be open to the public. Although primarily aimed at students, anyone is welcome to attend and enjoy the performances while supporting the cause to raise awareness and donations for those affected.
Your donation is more than just a contribution; it's a powerful way to make a difference in the lives of community members and small businesses impacted by a recent derailment. It's a way to show support for the local independent artists and musicians who enrich our lives with their creativity and passion. And additionally, it's a way to ensure that we can continue to establish this festival in the future, so we can continue to provide ongoing support to those in need. Your generosity can make a meaningful impact, so please consider donating today to help us build a stronger, more resilient community for all.
Thank you
-BL Team
Organizer
Adam Klenovich
Organizer
Pittsburgh, PA