“Without a pond, the fish cannot swim,” says the foundation’s head John Panza in a press release. “We choose to support clubs in 2021 and will return to bands in 2022.”
After the pandemic cancelled last year’s Panza Foundation Benefit, the annual event returns on Saturday to the Happy Dog. At this year’s benefit, previously sponsored bands Obnox, the Village Bicycle, and Biitchseat will perform.
In addition to the performances, the foundation will raffle off more than $7000 in items. This includes musical gear, services like photography and sound engineering/recording, restaurant, bar, club gift cards, and even yoga and Pilates gift cards. Raffle tickets are available only at the event, and you must be in attendance to win.
Panza Foundation’s board consists of Panza, Jane Takac Panza, Lauren Voss Clune, Christa Ebert and Edward Sotelo. In its seventh year, the 501c3 nonprofit based out of Cleveland supports the underground Cleveland music scene with monetary grants to bands, assistance to clubs and other services for musicians. Donations to the foundation are tax deductible.
Sponsors and raffle prize donators include the Happy Dog, Bryon Miller, Rustin McCann, Magnetic North Studio, Akron Recording Company, Tuck Mindrun Recording, Hal Goodwin, Earthquaker Devices, Mattoverse Electronics, the Grog Shop, the Beachland, Mahall’s, White Cloud Pilates, Abide Yoga, Parnell’s Pub, Zhug, Little Rose Tavern and Soho.
The Happy Dog requires vaccination to enter, so bring a vax card or digital image of the card if you plan to attend. And while mask wearing isn’t required, the club recommends doing so for the sake of others.
This article appears in Nov 3-16, 2021.
