Smokey and the Mirror

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tahlequah, Ok. (March 29, 2022)-Rise Up, Inc. is pleased to announce the 2022 installment of Be the Change, an annual fundraiser in support of our global education initiative at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Riverbend By The Bridge. Rise Up, Inc. is a Tahlequah based non-profit. Founded by Scott Batie, a local teacher, our organization’s mission is to remove the obstacles that keep children from having access to education. We hope you will join us as we celebrate at Be the Change, an event that will allow us to update the community on our progress, share plans for the future of our school project in Konso, Ethiopia, and simply come together with our donors and friends to enjoy an incredible night of food and fun. In the past years, we have quietly continued our work during the pandemic. We are currently fundraising in support of our new kindergarten construction. We hope you will join us for an evening of fun in support of continuing this important mission. Be The Change 2022 will feature incredible musical performances by Smokey and the Mirror, Carter Sampson, and The 510ers. Bernice and Bryan Hembree, the husband and wife duo of Smokey & the Mirror and co-founders of Fayetteville Roots Festival, will perform. Smokey & the Mirror are easily one of the best folk duets touring today. Her unique voice and his world weary one combine beautifully to create songs that catch and hold any lover of American Roots Music. Carter Sampson, known as The Queen of Oklahoma, is an award-winning singer/songwriter who has spent years developing a following both here and abroad. She is also the founder and director of The Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls OKC, a nonprofit that empowers girls through music education. She is a long-time supporter of Rise Up and along with her rock and roll camp donated a portion of the building costs for the school bathroom facilities for the Konso school. We are honored to have her gracing the stage of Be The Change once more. Hailing from northern Cherokee County, multi-instrumentalists Dylan Phillips and Joe Mack pull from a deep well of original and inspired musical delights derived from blues, soul and roots music. Bassist Annie Paine is the rhythmic charger that drives them through the catalog. Collectively, they are filling rooms around the mid-South as The 510ers. Our menu will feature authentic Jamaican and Caribbean food and a cash bar with beer by Ivory Bill Brewery. We will also be selling our highly sought-after Elephant Grass Baskets, which are perfect for the Farmer’s Market shopping season. We are thrilled to be hosting this event at Riverbend By The Bridge. This popular tourist attraction and float business owned and operated by Robbie Frank is the perfect spot for a an evening of food and music. The covered venue protects musicians and guests from weather, while still giving access to scenic river. There is seating for dining and plenty of room to drink and dance the night away. There is no better way to spend a Spring evening than by heading out to the river for an enjoyable night out filled with unforgettable food, beverages, and fabulous music, all for a truly worthy cause. Tickets will be available online and at the door for $30.