Bedford Band Stacy and the Party to Perform Benefit Gig at the Java Room, Chelmsford

Submitted on behalf of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

The St. Paul’s youth mission trip crew from 2015, in Craigsville, WV. Courtesy image (c) 2016 all rights reserved

Bedford’s own pop/rock band, Stacy and the Party, will perform a benefit gig at The Java Room, Chelmsford, on Saturday, March 19, at 8:00pm. All proceeds from the event will benefit St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s upcoming youth mission trip with Appalachia Service Project (ASP). The gig will feature original songs and covers from the band, plus special guests performing old-time and Appalachian music. Donations will be accepted at the door throughout the evening.

ASP is a service organization with Christian roots, open to all people. Adult and youth volunteers work in communities in five states—Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia—rehabilitating the trailers and small houses that many residents of these states call home. Poverty in Central Appalachia is double the national average, with more than 25% of the population living below the poverty line. 62,500 homes are considered substandard, and 21,000 lack complete plumbing.

At the end of June, seventeen youth and seven adults from St. Paul’s will embark on a weeklong trip to Appalachia. This is the third such mission trip for the high school youth group, and nearly half the participants (seven youth, four adults) are returnees to ASP. Embarking on a trip of this size and duration costs close to $15,000. About half of that money is provided by the participants, but the rest—covering van rental, gas and tolls, gifts for the residents, and more—must be raised by outside donations.

Stacy and the Party performs rock, pop, blues, and hip-hop originals and covers. They have performed locally at Fawnstock, in both 2014 and 2015; at Main Streets Café in Concord; and onstage as part of ST. PAUL’S TONIGHT: ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK. This summer the band will perform as part of the Summer Concert Series in the Town Activity Center on Mudge Way.

Band members are Stacy Schalick, lead vocals/guitar/songwriter; Ron O’Brien, lead guitar; Gian Criscitiello, bass; Chris Murphy, drums; Mary Curlew, vocals; and Emily Mitchell, vocals. Nearly every band member is connected to the ASP trip, either as a participant or as the parent of a participant.

The Java Room is located at 14 Littleton Road in Chelmsford, just an easy drive up Route 4. There is no cover charge.