Rowan Blues and Jazz Society holds fundraisers

BOB PAOLINO is the featured performer this Friday at the Looking Glass Artist Collective's benefit performance for the Rowan Blues and Jazz Society.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE: This painting of Bob Margolin by Leo Rucker was bought by Dr. Don Fortner. Also pictured are Bob Margolin, Eleanor Qadirah, artist Leo Rucker and Bethany Fortner.

The second in a series of "Sneak Preview" fundraisers will be held this Friday in the black box theatre at Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St.

Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m., featuring "Blazin' Blues" Bob Paolino, storyteller Robert Jones and jazz guitarist Jimmy Alston. Concessions will be available.

This is a "family friendly" event for all ages, in conjunction with Downtown Salisbury's Family Night Out.

Suggested donation at the door is $10 per person and $15 per couple, with children 12 and under free. One hundred percent of proceeds from admissions will go to the Rowan Blues and Jazz Society to help fund this year's music festival, to be held in Salisbury Oct. 11.

RBJS held a successful fundraiser in August, hosted by EastSquare Artworks and featuring "Steady Rollin' " Bob Margolin. Joining Margolin were the two Matts that he performed with at last year's festival: Matt Hill and Matt Walsh sat in with bassist Mookie Brill and Chuck Cotton on drums.

Artist Leo Rucker of Winston-Salem painted a portrait of Margolin during the performance, which was then auctioned off by the auctioneer of the evening, Bruce Wilson of Fine Frame Gallery. Dr. Don Fortner was the winner of the painting. That contribution and the proceeds of the beverages and ticket sales yielded more than $1,700.

For information about this Friday's event, call Nancy Gaines, 704-633-1723.

For more information about the Rowan Blues and Jazz society, call 704-636-2811, or visit www.rowanbluesandjazz.com.