Gem Fest 2018, at Yellow Cab Tavern in Dayton on Saturday, Oct. 13, features Death By Fetish, A Shade of Red, Scarecrow Sideshow, Stella’s Demise, Evil Eye Gypsy and Kyleen Downes Band. Each year, Musicians for Unity donates its proceeds to a different nonprofit organization. The recipient for 2018 is The Artemis Center. Past charities include SICSA, GLSEN Greater Dayton and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Miami Valley.
>> RELATED: Music scene supports domestic violence victims
Musicians for Unity member Sherree Jane, lead vocalist for Evil Eye Gypsy, sat down recently at Starbucks on Brown Street to discuss Gem Fest with her bandmate and fellow organizer Mike Emmons, who also plays guitar in Death By Fetish.
>> PHOTOS: Get a first look at Dayton’s newest music and events venue
Emmons: "This is a little bit more of a well-oiled machine after doing it for so long. We have a lot of bands eager to play the festival. The folks at Yellow Cab are a pleasure to work with. They're so great. I learned a lot working with them on Sideshow for six years. Last year was my fourth year being on the leadership team so I have a good relationship with everybody there. It's great to see Yellow Cab come on so strong as a venue."
Jane: "Like we've done in the past, we had a couple of different shows leading up to Gem Fest. In August, we had A Shade of Red, Far from Eden, A Sides/B Sides and Burn the Dead at Oscar's in Vandalia. The other one was in June at Blind Bob's with Founding Fathers, Motel Faces and McGuff & the Dumpster Fires."
Emmons: "The Artemis Center does great work and, unfortunately, there's no shortage of women needing their help."
Jane: "A lot of women show up there having nothing because they leave with nothing but their kids and the clothes on their back. It's a very, very scary situation so we're glad we can do our part to help The Artemis Center."
Emmons:
“It has been great to be part of Gem Fest, it really has. I love seeing people opening up their hearts and being generous with their gifts. Not everyone is given that power and to see people use their talents and turn around and make a difference in other people’s lives is a great thing.”
WANT TO GO?
What: Gem Fest 2018 featuring Death By Fetish, A Shade of Red, Scarecrow Sideshow, Stella's Demise, Evil Eye Gypsy and Kyleen Downes Band
Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13
Cost: $5
More info: 937-424-3870 or www.yellowcabtavern.com
About the Author