Richmond was rocked

ARNOLD SHUCHAT

It's the morning after, and dentist Allan Margulius' office is buzzing with chatter of the Battle of the Bands rather than the sound of the drill.

"All we've been talking about all day is what a night we had at the River Rock playing for the crowd. I think the word to describe what I'm feeling inside after last night's event is 'kvelling.' Everything was perfect,"said Margulius.

Margulius was the drummer for the band Purple Heys who, together with four other bands, played for 25 minutes each in the River Rock Show Theatre for the benefit of the Louis Brier Jewish Aged Foundation and Richmond Jewish Day School.

About 450 people packed the theatre and guests were lined up outside, 30 minutes early, to make sure they got good seats. It didn't really matter though because, for the most part, the dance floor was jammed with swaying guests who were treated to crooners and jaw-wagging guitar solos, playing with total heart for the cause.

"Tonight was a dream come true for me and an amazing thrill," said Dr. Bram Lermer, who delayed scheduled surgery until after the show, so he could participate in it. Lermer sang and played guitar and violin with the group Open Sundays, which was formed especially for the event. Ian Cohen, a member of the board of trustees of the Louis Brier, also played with Open Sundays and was already complaining about having withdrawal symptoms an hour after the show ended. "What's next?" he mused in an e-mail sent at 1 a.m.

Sara Levine, an RJDS board member, chimed in that she was going to get her singing voice tuned up for next year.

"It was an absolutely terrific event tonight," said Levine. "I think it exceeded people's wildest expectations. The venue was really great, the performers were all so enjoyable, the food, the decor – and the turnout was terrific. I know people really enjoyed themselves.... I am really looking forward to next year's Battle of the Bands. I'm certain it will grow each year until, within a few years, it will be a must-have ticket."

Sidney Bild, who photographed the event, mused about taking his trumpet out of its case and polishing it up to get down next year with some Wilson Pickett. "I'm sure I could do it and what a blast it would be," he said.

As a twice-a-decade drummer, I have to admit that I had a great time, too. It didn't make it any easier that the producer of the short film shown on the big screen was a session drummer in his past life. Stephan Marliss was drooling at the set of DW drums offered by sponsor Long & McQuade and, from the glances I was getting from him from behind the curtain, the long-term security of this non-paying drumming gig felt somewhat threatened.

Denny Segal, who, in his previous life (or his next one), is really Bob Dylan, summed up the remarks of many other closeted musicians when he wrote, "We had a great time and I hope this is an annual event and that next year I'll get a shot playing."

Dr. Mel Sawyer, who also performed with Open Sundays, summed it up perfectly: "At the end of the day, we all had a great time doing what we love – playing music – only we helped to raise an incredible amount of money for such important causes that we get to feel proud as well."

The evening was capped off by a grand finale featuring all of the band members from each of the five groups. They belted out "Twist and Shout" until the plug was pulled. Finally, little miracles happen from time to time, and my daughter, who sold more than $800 of 50/50 tickets at the event, asked me the next day if she could do some volunteer work at the Louis Brier. I guess "Bring it on home" applies to more than the last verse in the song.

Arnold Shuchat was the co-chair of the organizing committee of Battle of the Bands.

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