Now in its fourth year, the HRC-KC Battle of the Bands is back again for another fantastic day of music and good times.
Drew Smith, diversity and faith chair on Kansas City’s Human Rights Campaign steering committee, has been working hard at putting the event together. He said, “This year, you will find men and women performing in this event, spanning across the LGBT spectrum, and some fierce and lovely allies donating their talent to the cause.”
Smith said he personally enjoys music from many genres.
“My fellow board member Mandy Norman and I managed to get chosen to head the event this year, I believe, due to our absolute love of the Kansas City music scene and our connections to it,” he said.
This year’s battle will be structured similarly to those in past years.
“We will have one floor for acoustic and a separate floor for the electric performances,” Smith said. “Each floor will have its own set of judges, an emcee, tables set up for bands to promote themselves and sell merch, and of course, a cash bar for the thirsty event attendees.”
Local celebrity Dirty Dorothy will be returning to emcee the electric category.
Sixteen bands will fight a musical battle to please the judges and the audience, culminating in a grand-prize winner in each of the two categories. The acoustic prize is $300, and the electric winner will receive $500.
“We will also be awarding the audience favorite from each genre with a surprise gift pack,” Smith said.
He added that “Kansas City’s own Beautiful Bodies, who just got done recording their upcoming album in Los Angeles, will be closing the show out. They are huge allies of the LGBT community and are taking time out of their insanely busy schedules to make an appearance and show their support for equal rights.”
The Battle of the Bands will be 2:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Cashew, 2000 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. Admission is $20 for this 18-and-up show.