Musicians against cancer

On my “Flip Calendar” for Saturday the thought for the day was, ”An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere, while the pessimist sees only the red stop light.”

 

After reading “A shock to the system” in last weeks’ edition of the NRHEG Star Eagle, I learned that Todd Utpadel is trying to see what he can do to help fight cancer in a different way.  Todd is taking advantage of the green light that he has seen and set a New Years’ goal of raising $10,000 by the end of the year 2024 by sharing his musical talent to reach that goal.

 

Since setting that goal and announcing on New Year's Day at the Moose Club in Albert Lea that he had formed a group called, “Musicians for Cancer,” Todd has been filling up his weekend calendar with musical performances on both Friday and Saturday nights.

 

On Friday night, April 5th, Todd performed at the Geneva Bar & Grill, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to a full house of family and friends. By the time the night came to a close, Todd had received $300 in tips that will be matched by the Owatonna Motor Company during the month of April and then added to the funds that he has raised since that New Year's Day announcement.

 

I saw Todd on Sunday morning during the Geneva Cancer Pancake breakfast and expressed how bad I felt that I had not been able to attend his performance in Geneva on Friday night. I also asked Todd what was next on his schedule and Todd quickly replied that he would e-mail it to me, and before I got home, it was on my computer.

 

Todd and the Musicians against Cancer will perform at the Albert Lea Eagles on Friday night, April 12 from 5:30 – 8:30, and will be at Spare Time Entertainment in Owatonna on Saturday, April 13 from 6-8. On Friday, April 19 Todd will hold a Red Solo Cup Jam Session at the Albert Lea Moose Lodge, where he will invite all musicians to come at 6 p.m. to join him.  

 

On Saturday, April 20 there will be music at the Glenville American Legion from 6-8, and then the last week in April the Musicians Against Cancer will perform at the Blooming Prairie Servicemen’s Club from 6-8 on Friday, April 26 and at Spare Time Entertainment in Owatonna from 6-8 on Saturday, April 27.  

 

Please look for more information about future performances for Todd, as well as the Musicians Against Cancer group on Facebook and make plans to attend and help support this special project with your TIPS. which will be matched and will go directly to help others who are struggling with cancer.

 

For those of us who have followed Todd for so many years, we know that we will be able to enjoy a great night out, as well as help him reach his goal, so that others who are battling cancer can enjoy some special love.