Mankato Free Press reports…

A weekly online concert series featuring local bands to raise funds for area COVID-19 efforts will kick off 7 p.m. tonight on Facebook Live and KTV Public Access.

The event, called Band Together Mankato, is sponsored by the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. It will feature regional musicians performing “live from their living rooms.” Tonight’s guest features Mankato’s Good Night Gold Dust.

Band Together Mankato is a fundraiser for the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, a joint effort of the Greater Mankato Area United way and the Mankato Area Foundation to assist with emerging needs in our region.

I found out about this week when I interviewed tomorrow night’s musical guest Dave Sandersfeld; he will be debuting a new album tomorrow night. I love this idea. I’ve been trying to think of ways that local artists and performers can help the community and vice versa. I don’t know if Dave will get paid for the show; I love the idea either way BUT I really love a plan where the performers get paid as few industries have been hit harder during the pandemic than musicians.

I throw this out for other communities – support local artists and performers by hiring them to perform at online fundraisers or arrange to share money raised. You can open this up to local businesses too – have them sponsor a band, just as they might sponsor a meal, the beer or donuts at a meeting. The performer could perform from the sponsor location or wear promotional t-shirts.

You raise money, you help keep music alive – and with any luck you all build up your social media channels building relationships who will be more likely now to visit once they can.