Culture
Adyn’s Dream Benefit Concert Scheduled For Friday
By: Bryan Gibson
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Not everyone gets to celebrate their birthday with a bluegrass blowout at Casa Nueva. Then again, Adyn Bucher isn’t your average Athens girl.
This Friday, Casa Nueva and Cantina will host the Adyn’s Dream String Band and Birthday Benefit Show and 10 (soon to be 11)-year-old Adyn will be front and center.
The Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers and The Shelf Life String Band, both from Pittsburgh, are scheduled to perform.
Adyn’s Dream is a local nonprofit started by Adyn Bucher, who was born with a genetic disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA is the leading genetic killer of children under the age of two, and for those healthy enough to survive, there are many costly requirements necessary for families.
Having experienced these trials and tribulations first-hand, Adyn and her father Brian decided to set up Adyn’s Dream, a nonprofit charity dedicated to families that have members living with SMA. Money raised will assist with modifying homes and vehicles for wheelchairs, medical equipment, hospital bills and travel expenses to the national conference for newly diagnosed families.
Since staging their first benefit concert in November, local support for the charity has grown, according to Brian.
“Business owners have really embraced Adyn’s Dream and are showing it by providing some really great gifts for the raffle at Friday’s show,” he said. “Our online presence has definitely grown since the last event, some due to the event itself and some due to relationships Adyn has formed with community members and musicians.”
The raffle items include an Athens globe map donated by Lamborn’s Studio, salon products and a $100 gift certificate from The Standard Salon, a free night’s stay at The Hampton Inn, a full set of winter hunting gear from Rocky Brands, multiple gift certificates from Fluff Bakery and locally made jewelry, oils, lotions and other items.
“The tickets start at $1 each and get cheaper the more you buy,” explained Brian. “We’re also doing it a little different where you can buy your tickets and place them in jars for specific items you’re most interested in winning. A lot of people will be leaving with some fantastic local goods Friday night.”
Adyn’s love of music has been a driving force behind these concerts. It’s an interest she shares with her dad, who met The Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers and The Shelf Life String Band while attending DelFest Academy, a musician workshop affiliated with Del McCoury’s annual bluegrass festival in Cumberland, Maryland.
“String music and bluegrass are two of Adyn’s favorite genres, and some of her very favorite bands are string bands, so this was a natural choice,” said Brian. “I contacted these bands because I know a few of the members through time spent at the Delfest Academy last year where we were “students” together. I know them personally and as musicians, and they are exceptional. Both bring a different style of Appalachian bluegrass, and we’re excited to bring them to Athens.”
While live music and raffle prizes are exciting, they’re nothing compared to a little girl’s birthday celebration. And for the Bucher family, it’s a very special occasion.
“We’re just a few days away from Adyn’s 11th birthday. It’s important to keep in mind what Spinal Muscular Atrophy is, and that when Adyn was initially diagnosed, the expected life span for most children diagnosed with Type 1 was two years old,” explained Brian. “Adyn has continually overcome challenges, and is now taking on additional challenges to help other SMA families and make their lives a little easier.”
All funds raised at Friday’s concert will benefit Adyn’s Dream. If there’s a good turnout, Brian hopes to be in a position to start providing financial assistance to families.
“We hope people will stop by Friday to not only wish Adyn a happy birthday, but to support a great cause that will make a huge difference in the lives of those who need it the most,” he said.
For more information about Adyn’s Dream, visit the organization’s website, Facebook page or get updates via Twitter.