Though everyone seems to agree that the hardships and financial difficulties that the School District of Philadelphia faces threatens the wellbeing of the entire city and its citizens, no one — state and local officials, administrators, labor leaders, teachers or taxpayers — can come up with a viable solution for the dreadful train wreck. 

 

Leave it to Fergus Carey, concerned parent, business leader and namesake of Fergie’s Pub on Sansom Street, to come up with a fix. 

 

His dream of re-enacting a note for note replay of the landmark concert film The Last Waltz with local musicians and performers filling in for The Band and the star-studded ensemble of rock ‘n roll royalty who turn up in the movie to wish them farewell, will finally play out on Saturday, November 30 at the Trocadero as a benefit for Philadelphia's school children. 

 

All proceeds from the concert will go directly to schools, and resources  for students like the district’s instrument repair program, as well as Andrew Jackson Middle School’s 11-piece rock ensemble. Parents United for Public Education, a group dedicated to ensuring that necessary funding and resources get to students on the classroom level and similar nonprofits will also reap the rewards from the fundraiser. 

 

Bryan Dilworth from Electric Factory and Bonfire Booking, singer-songwriter Andrew Lipke, and producer Kevin Hanson all signed on to help Carey fulfill his altruistic vision. Together they’ve assembled more than 30 of the region’s most talented performers to pitch in. Garth Hudson, founding member of The Band, got wind of the benefit, and has since gotten on board. He will be on hand to perform an intimate acoustic pre-show set and meet and greet with VIP ticket holders. Those tickets run $100 a piece. But entry to the benefit itself cost only $20. 

 

For more details about who is performing, check the Tribute to The Last Waltz on Facebook. And get tickets via TickeyFly