Jim Stephens’ Full Tilt Boogie Band is one of the organizing forces behind Mermaid Music Week | via facebook.com/JSFullTiltBoogi
Mermaid Rescue Week: Five days of funk against domestic violence
The First Annual Mermaid Rescue Week will be five days of music for the support and advocacy of domestic violence and rape survivors. Created by Jim Stephens’ Full Tilt Boogie Band, the music and arts event will donate proceeds to two organizations: Women Against Abuse and Woman Organized Against Rape.
The mini-festival will take place June 15th to June 19th with a slew of Philly hip hop, jazz, and R&B artists. As part of the series, World Cafe Live will welcome Philly rapper Hezekiah on June 16. The prolific MC released his latest album, Dreams Don’t Chase Themselves, last month and it includes several instrumental deluxe tracks with a jazzy flair. Tara Hendricks will also be playing the WCL date; she garnered attention with her single “Can’t Let Go,” which brings her power-packed vocals to the forefront, showcasing an ability to master R&B, soul, and funk. Alongside these two will be Worldtown Soundsystem and Joe Jordan Experiment.
Mermaid Rescue Week will concludes at the North Star Bar with a performance by Jim Stephen’s Full Tilt Boogie Band. The big jazz band features a rotating all-star ensemble featuring musicians from Bad Brains, The Roots, and band members for Nina Simone and Kanye West. Other artists on the final date include Boy Wonder, Kinyon Lanier, and New Pony.
In between, Mermaid Rescue Week includes performances at Warmdaddy’s, Ardmore Music Hall, and The Rotunda. More information about the events can be found at the Festival’s Facebook event page. Check out music from some of the artists performing below.