East Village Club hosts ninth annual ARL 'Petapalooza'
Sara John - STAFF WRITER
Issue date: 2/27/09 Section: News
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The show started at 6 p.m. with opening act 35 South, a Des Moines based cover band that performed everything from ZZ Top to Johnny Cash.
"We love the ARL," lead singer Dennis Haislip said. "We've played this benefit almost every year. It's a good time, a good cause and we love the House of Bricks."
The ARL is Iowa's largest nonprofit animal shelter, and houses over 19,000 animals each year. Its funds also go toward adoption education, spaying and neutering and animal cruelty intervention.
The show at the House of Bricks is one of the organization's largest fundraisers of the year.
"It's fulfilling to be able to play music and help out others at the same time, kind of doing our part to make that world a better place," Karen Harrison, singer for the band The Soapbox Prophets, said.
She said, "The ARL is a great cause. I don't think most people realize how hard their job is and how dedicated of a staff they must have to take care of literally thousands of animals a year."
The Soapbox Prophets, a Des Moines-based rock band, who performed at last year's show, performed again this year, debuting new material they have developed over the last three months.
The event was co-sponsored by KGGO, whose morning dee-jay, Lou, made an appearance. He thanked all the participants and reminded the audience about the importance of the ARL and its causes.
"I'm proud to be part of this. I'm glad it has turned into such a success," he said.
The East Village Club has played host of "Petapalooza" since its beginning, when it was still called Connie's Lounge. Former owners, Connie and Larry Derry, also held fundraisers for the ARL and new owner Joel Wilson has continued the tradition.
This year, the show also featured Des Moines bands Only, The Vandon Arms, Slyde and Nature Boy, who all played 45 minute sets.
Each band donated its time to the cause, and most have performed at previous benefits.
"We weren't really sure what to expect, but we love the ARL. It's where all of our animals came from and we figured for ten dollars and the opportunity to help animals was well worth it," Heather Lawless, a visitor from Arizona who attended with a group of friends, said. "The music was fun, the musicians are talented and we had a really good time."
Guests were also treated to door prizes and a 50/50 raffle, where 50 percent of proceeds went to the winner and 50 percent to the ARL.
"Last year, our winner was really cool. He donated his half to the ARL, too," Joel Wilson, owner of the House of Bricks, said.
"'Petapalooza' is a really cool event. We came last year and had a great time," Tim Wilson, Des Moines resident, said.
He said, "I've volunteered for the ARL and I have adopted animals from them as well. It's a really worthy cause and it's fun. It's a great night out."
As information becomes available, the ARL and House of Bricks will update their Web sites.
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