Hey everyone, this is Fisher. I am starting this GoFundMe to start raising funds for the Odd Fellows to acquire better equipment, shore up their ability to remain a substance-free venue, and in general improve/keep things running in an orderly fashion. I am setting this up as a running GoFundMe; anything you can give is extremely appreciated!

If you've been to an Odd Fellows show in the past 6 months, you've probably seen me either running sound, on stage, or out in the crowd catching my breath :) While I am not a member of the Odd Fellows org, I have been volunteering alongside an incredibly generous and capable team of community members who help to bring equipment, talent, and promotional support to the events that get put on in the Odd Fellows space. This work is not without its cost to us! Be it the PA system and cables, or the snacks provided by the Odd Fellows themselves.

Practically all of the gear the Odd Fellows have now for shows and events are either community donations or the result of my own second-hand shopping. What this means is that while we have a lot of great stuff, some of it is in less than ideal condition and if any of it were to break or get damaged (and some of it has been damaged) it puts the show space in danger of not being able to fill the role it plays in the community. On top of that, while we are proud of the sound work we have already done with a shoestring budget, it can always be better! Specifically, we wish to purchase another matching subwoofer, and potentially replace (or at least support) our main front-of-house speakers. Additionally, we suspect that our current soundboard is starting to have electrical issues that are affecting the sound at shows. We'd like to replace it with a more modern system that would support more features, including remote mixing from an iPad.

Any remaining funds after we have satisfactorily upgraded or replaced the equipment will be donated by me to the Odd Fellows to assist in their plan to make the space more accessible and accommodating, including a ramp entrance, as well as support their other programming including the much-needed North End Food Pantry.

You can read more about the venue project at the IOOF BTV website: https://www.burlingtonoddfellows.com/about-3

That's the basic pitch for why you should donate! Now here's the full context.

With the closure of such notable venues as Nectar's, 242 Main (and the rest of Memorial Auditorium), as well as the disappearance of many entry-level performance spaces (Despacito, Manhattan's Pizza, Arts Riot, etc.), the music scene in Vermont has become difficult to find a foothold and build an audience in. The few venues that remain are often 21+ spaces, and on top of that serve alcohol, which is not ideal for sober folks or those struggling with addiction. While there are basement shows, they are often put on without a permit and can pose both a legal and safety risk.

Despite this situation, the need for musical spaces has not gone away and the audiences are here and willing to go to shows. More and more musically capable people are looking for safe places to perform, especially touring bands who need a spot to play but aren't big enough for Higher Ground or the other "established" venues.

The Odd Fellows show venue in the New North End of Burlington was once a space for local DIY shows, and now has returned as a substance-free, all-ages DIY venue featuring music of all genres, but especially those acts that struggle to find places to play in our small but immensely talented and passionate community. If you've ever traveled or played outside of Burlington, you know that our music culture is one-of-a-kind. Not only has the Burlington area played host and spawned such amazing talents as Phish, Grace Potter, Dispatch, and Rough Francis, but it also has a rich history of frequently returning visiting bands with memorable roots in the DIY scene such as Fugazi, Gogol Bordello, Agnostic Front, and The Dillinger Escape Plan.

Growing up, I found a lot of camaraderie in spaces like 242 Main and Radio Bean, back when under-21 folks could go in to see shows. I cut my teeth as a performer in the Memorial Auditorium Annex and around town at locales like Skinny Pancake and Halvorsen's, plus the long-gone coffee shops like On The Rise in Richmond. I remember when you could walk down Church Street on a weekend and catch 5 different bands around town. I know it kept me out of trouble as an angsty teenager, and now I fear the youth of our times lack those same outlets, making it easier to retreat into antisocial behaviors. Earlier this year, as I was undergoing chemotherapy, I decided to do something about it. I announced that I was looking to donate money and time to whoever could build a space that could replace 242 Main. Eventually, I got in touch with The Odd Fellows about being the person to source gear for them. At the time, I thought they just needed someone to help them buy stuff, but the more I spoke with them, the more I realized they needed someone to help them run shows and navigate the world of DIY performances. Along with Riley of Safety Pin Shows and Zach York, Teppi Zuppo, and Ryon Frink of the Odd Fellows (among several other volunteers), we cobbled together an ambitious but ragtag goal to revive that cultural spirit I had been missing for years. Now it's finally starting to feel like it's back! I just hope we can make it stay that way.

But why give money to me when you can just give to the Odd Fellows? By all means, you can and should give money to the Odd Fellows to support their vital work in the New North End. Donating to this fund will act as a direct line of capital for specifically venue project equipment costs. All extra funding once the gear has been purchased will be donated wholesale to the Odd Fellows. No one, including me or any member of the Odd Fellows, will profit from this arrangement. In fact, I am acting on my own volition to find funding for the equipment, the Odd Fellows don't know that I'm doing this. I just know that our community will pitch in when given the opportunity to help :)

Thanks for reading this long-winded history and call to action. Please feel no pressure to give; we are not in danger of shutting down tomorrow, but we are also by no means secure for the long term. I have turned on the ability to give monthly if that is what you prefer, as we will continue to use these funds over a stretch of time. If you can't give your money, consider giving your time and volunteering with us to help put on shows, either as a safety team/coordination member or as a member of the sound crew. You can reach out to volunteer at https://www.burlingtonoddfellows.com/contact