Music event strikes up success for TLC, will likely return next year
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff Writer
Aug. 11 was a night to sit back, relax and enjoy a few blasts from the past.
Mike Anderson, known locally as a chiropractor, also had a little fame back in the 80s, as drummer for the band known as Madfact.
That band, which included both his brothers David and Mark and his sister Micki, lasted for about five years – and was revived for a performance two years ago.
On Saturday, the group got together again for Markstock – a fundraiser for the Transitional Living Center.
It was a night of music, food and fun, with various dinner items, soda, wine and beer available, as well as a few different performing acts.
Local singer Micah Gebel – who missed making the cut for American Idol a few weeks ago – performed as the opener, followed by the high school pep rock band Orange Crush.
Madfact then took the stage, and managed to make a mark – no pun intended.
“I had so many people come up to me that night and I’ve gotten so many emails telling me how talented those musicians are,” said Cristen Chaffee, the director of TLC. In total, the event raised about $8,000 for TLC, with about 350 people attending the show on the ChocoalateFest grounds.
“I thought it was successful,” said Chaffee, who admitted she measured that by more than just what money was raised.
“For me, success is community awareness,” she explained. “We are here and helping the homeless in Western Racine County.
“It’s really getting out there that we’re here,” she added.
Of course, Chaffee wasn’t the only one having a good time. Anderson said the large, enthusiastic crowd made entertainment an easy job.
“The weather was beautiful and the volunteers were wonderful and the crowd was wonderful,” said Anderson. “They were so enthusiastic and so energetic.
“They stayed the whole night and inspired us to play hard.”
And of course, Markstock wasn’t the only gig on the slate Saturday night. Anderson said the group was competing against both the Rotary Roundup and the Wisconsin State Fair, and was pleased when people trickled in later from the Roundup.
“I thought it was very successful,” Anderson said.
It was more than Madfact that made the event a success, though. Chaffee singled out Orange Crush for its performance, marveling at the variation on a high school pep band.
“They’re just phenomenal,” Chaffee said. “They’re up there enjoying themselves.”
She’s hoping for more in the future.
“We’d like this to be our yearly big fundraiser,” said Chaffee, adding that she’d like to grow the event with more bands and a bigger variety of music.
Anderson thanked everyone who helped, from main sponsor Runzheimer International to David Spiegelhoff for wine donations to Grater Tater for the food and the Kiwanis Club handling the parking.
“There’s just too many to list,” said Anderson, who also thanked the city and the ChocolateFest committee.
But in the end, Chaffee said the message of the evening – helping the area’s homeless – came through loud and clear when TLC Board President Dr. David Taylor got up to speak.
“He said, ‘How many of you are going home after this event?’” Chaffee said. “He talked about how many people didn’t have homes to go back to tonight and how needed the shelter is.
“We really are here for a purpose.”
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