The Westchester PTA sent out this exciting announcement this morning…

The Voice contestant and Decatur High School student Sydney Rhame gave a surprise performance this morning for students at Westchester Elementary School to help announce the school’s “Battle of the (Dad) Bands” fundraiser, to be held Friday, May 6, 2016, at the historic Avondale Theatre in Avondale Estates.

Rhame will be part of a celebrity judging panel for the event, alongside Dr. David Dude, City Schools of Decatur Superintendent; Mark Trojanowski, drummer for Sister Hazel; Michelle Malone, singer-songwriter, musician, record producer; Trish Land, performer, designer, artist; and Shawn Mullins, singer-songwriter, musician. Award winning DJ and radio celebrity Yvonne Monet will serve as the event’s emcee.

“Battle of the (Dad) Bands” marks Westchester’s second community-wide fundraiser since reopening in 2014. Its first benefit headlined Ramblin’ & Rollin’: An Evening of Songs & Stories with Chuck Leavell. This year’s lineup includes four bands based in Decatur, whose members have children in City Schools of Decatur. The bands include The Dammages, The Benders, Flock of Eagles, and Spackle.

“Hot dads who sing, a great community school, AND snarky celebrity judges … I’m all in!” says Monet.

Westchester Principal Rochelle Lofstrand says the money raised will go towards the purchase of computers and other technology resources for the school, teacher grants, and playground enhancements.

“Following in the tradition we established last year, this event promises great music for a great cause,” says Lofstrand. “We’re so appreciative to the entire Decatur community for supporting Westchester in such amazing ways. May the best band win!”

Tickets are available for purchase for $40 at:

http://www.westchesterpta.org/battle-of-the-bands.html

Shawn Mullins is scheduled to play three concerts at Eddie’s Attic on March 7th and 8th to celebrate the release of his newest album, Honeydew. Also Saturday is his birthday, so he’ll have twice as much to celebrate! While tables are sold out, it seems that their are still individual tickets available for the Friday 8p, Saturday 7p and 9:30p concerts. Buy them here. Should be a great time.

To tide you over ’til then, here’s a live performance of “Cabbagetown”, which can be found on the new album.

You can also find video interviews with Shawn about the new album on his MySpace page. Enjoy.

(Photo Courtesy of Eddie’s Attic website)