FREE FREE FREE MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC

Today :08 transforms from one of Gainesville's most trafficked nightspots to the home of the first AM/FM Music Showcase. The About Music For Music Showcase is a music festival featuring acts by 13 of Gainesville best independent rock, folk, blues and hip-hop groups. 

"We are packing about four or five semesters of great live music into one day," says Jose Peruyero, one of the event coordinators, and singer and guitar player of local band Moodhosa. 

The event was created by Jose, Dante Lima and Marshal Patrick as an opportunity to give different genres of local music an outlet to present its talents to the community. With Gainesville's music scene focusing mostly on punk-rock, highlighted by events like The Fest and bands like Against Me!, AM/FM aims to bring attention to other genres, which Jose says don't have a real scene. "Living in Gainesville creates your music," Jose says. "We wanted to give all these hardworking musicians a place to showcase what they have been doing over the years." 

The festival has been in the works for about 4 months; when Haiti was devastated by earthquakes earlier this month, Jose, Dante and Marshal immediately decided to make the free showcase a benefit show, with any donations going to Haiti relief. "To me it was utterly shocking. Everyone was so receptive, none of bands were difficult to deal with, and they were so quick to give up money to Haitian relief," he says.  "With 13 bands, that's more than 30 to 40 people being selfless; not wanting any money and just wanting to be part of it."

The event will offer a forum for local bands, emerging musicians and fans to network and learn from each other. True to the festival's independent spirit, all the sponsorship is coming from local businesses such as Flaco's, Lipham Music, Mother's Pub & Grill, :08 and The Buzz. 

The music kicks off at 1pm and goes through 9pm with bands like Bang Bang Boom, D.P., The Footlights and Moodhosa. Jose says he's most looking forward to catching Michael Claytor & His Friends and The Haps. "If you love live music at all, if you love hanging out with people and supporting the community, this is the best place to see live music for free," Jose says. 

:08 is located at 201 W. University Ave. Admission to the all-day event is FREE. But take a few bucks for Haiti donations. For a complete lineup check out the event's Facebook page. 

-Stephanie Granada

The Orthopaedic Institute on a mission in Haiti

The team leaving to Haiti on a UF charter plane

A medical team from The Orthopaedic Institute left yesterday morning for Haiti on a mission. The goal? To provide medical support to the injured people in the area of Port-au-Prince Haiti after the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010.

Once the medical team arrives in Haiti, the southern command has offered to assist with transportation to the areas in need of medical assistance. The group plans to meet up with civilian and military surgeons, who are already engaged in the relief efforts.

Dr. Maxey says “the ability to use our surgical skills to help relieve the suffering of the injured is a great privilege and this is an excellent opportunity to give back to those in dire need.”

An out-pouring of community support from The Orthopaedic Institute, Orthopaedic Surgery Center, North Florida Regional Medical Center and Shands has provided many of the need¬ed medical supplies in Haiti, such as:
• Gloves
• Masks
• Sani-Cloths
• Marcaine (numbing medicine)
• Hand Sanitizer
• Suture Sets
• Surgical Instruments
• Durable Medical Equipment (leg and arm immobilizers)
• Casting and Splinting materials
• Basic OR supplies
• Surgical masks
• Gigli Saws (for amputations)

They plan to provide medical services for 7 to 10 days.

Dr. Rosenberg says, “fire fighters, police and military are the true heroes and always the ones running in when others are running away. This is a unique way for doctors to contrib¬ute in the same manner.”

To check the updates on The Orthopaedic Institute’s medical team’s mission in Haiti please visit http://www.twitter.com/toihealth. The Orthopaedic Institute plans to make a monetary donation on behalf of the followers of the Twitter site.

--Kari Brill