Benefit shows are performances that aim to raise funds and awareness for a specific cause. They help individuals, families and nonprofits across DFW gain access to much-needed support while building relationships and community along the way.
Mindy Arendt is the co-founder of Friends With Benefits (FWB), a nonprofit that helps raise funds for other nonprofits that may not have the resources to raise funds or produce events. FWB is responsible for annual benefit events, including We Denton Drag It, She-Rock and many more throughout the year.
Arendt works with a team of volunteers who represent the face of the organization, stating, “Our job is to make sure that the benefit is for everyone, artists are paid, venues are happy and guests are able to see their hard-earned dollars going to work.” She also emphasizes the natural way relationships form between businesses and artists because of these kinds of events.
“The community grows more easily by getting more people, organizations and businesses involved. It happens over and over again and it amazes me how it hasn’t ceased,” Arendt concluded.
Individuals, families, artists and venues are also getting help from benefit shows.
“Right now, performances of the arts and music are always a fundraiser,” said Chad Withers, operator of Rubber Gloves, a music venue, bar, and what has become a counter-culture community center in Denton, Texas. Withers continued, “We are trying to support the arts, and unless people are getting paid, it's hard to keep it going.”
Although Rubber Gloves has three stages booked nearly every night of the week, it keeps some flexibility in its calendar to accommodate benefit events when they arise, like its event for Dallas artist Llora on May 31.
Although funding cuts, grant cancellations, and rising rents loom over the arts community in North Texas, there seems to be some hope. More and more shows seem to be selling out. Musicians are playing to packed houses again. People are taking the time to come together, celebrate and go out.
Here are a few that could really use your help. Many of these benefits have provided links to organizations or individuals for those who choose to make a monetary donation. This list will be updated throughout the summer.
Haynes Boone Presents Eric Nadel’s Birthday Benefit featuring Shinyribs and The Secret Sisters
Date: Thursday, May 29Time: Doors, 6:30 p.m.; Showtime, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Longhorn Ballroom, 216 Corinth St., Dallas
In an interview on Mike Rhyner’s podcast Your Dark Companion, the longtime radio announcer for the Texas Rangers, Eric Nadel, opened up about his issues with mental health and his dedication to helping raise funds for the Grant Halliburton Foundation, which provides mental health programs and suicide prevention in schools.
According to Longhorn Ballroom’s website, the benefit concert is celebrating its 13th year with performances by Shinyribs, an Austin-based band that “defies genres as a sonic melting pot of Texas blues, New Orleans R&B funk, horn-driven Memphis soul, country twang, border music, big band swing and roots rock."
The band opening sounds like one not to be missed: “The Alabama-bred Secret Sisters are known for their spellbinding harmonies and hilarious concert banter and for their collaborations with Ray LaMontagne and Brandi Carlile,” according to the same website.
The concert raises funds for charity and coincides with the 75th anniversary of Longhorn Ballroom. Tickets here.
Penn Pals Beer Release: A Celebration of Life Benefit for Chris Penn
Date: Thursday, May 29Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House, 1154 Peavy Rd., Dallas
Vector Brewing is holding space to celebrate the late, great Chris Penn and crack open a fresh, cold beer made in his honor. According to a post on Vector Brewing’s Instagram, “Penn Pals [is] our new crisp and hoppy West Coast Pilsner, with proceeds benefiting his family in their time of loss.” The benefit includes an open mic where people can share their stories, sing songs and share a moment of remembrance for CP. DJ sets from Skinny Loggins and Michael McDonalds, as well as a performance at 10 p.m. by LAZY/DC, will take place. Eternal Sunshine Photobus will be on site with their pop-up photobooth. All ages are welcome. RSVP details here.
Llora Benefit
Date: Saturday, May 31Time: 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Location: Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, 411 E. Sycamore St., Denton
“I’m Llora—musician, performer, and now, apparently, a reluctant ‘member’ of the cancer club. Life threw a plot twist at me with a testicular cancer diagnosis,” reads the first sentence on Llora's GoFundMe, which was created in November of 2024.
Llora, a Dallas-based musician who has been performing in the scene for over ten years, is known for their contributions to new electronic music, particularly in the goth and industrial spheres, collaborating with artists such as SRSQ and label Synthecide. In recent years, Llora has been touring internationally and now, due to Stage II cancer treatment, has had to pause a three-month tour, which included dates in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and across Europe. “I don’t know what to say. It’s ruining my life, and it’s overwhelming and kind of crazy. It’s weird when people show up for you in that way. I don’t know how to process it, but I am thankful for it,” Llora stated.
The lyrics to "Forward" from their self-titled album release seem to capture the feeling.
Oh, I'm tired of playing the gamе
I'm gonna go insane
Don't ask me what's wrong or right
Forward motion
Forward motion
The fundraiser at Rubber Gloves includes a long lineup of favorites from the dark side of music, with performances by Psychic Killers, R. Buttrum, Freakhorse, Deep Cross, Wave Decay, Battery Licker, John Flavo and His Daggers, Mirror Box, Both Sides, Service Model, Al G and Orbis9.
Double Wide is also hosting a Llora benefit on June 7 with goth, new wave DJ crew, Away From the Numbers, where ticket proceeds will go to Llora. Details will be announced.
You can donate to their GoFundMe here. All ticket sales from the Rubber Studios benefit will go to Llora’s cancer fund as well as 10% of bar sales. $20 at the door. No one turned away for lack of funds. 18-plus.
All-City Record Store Pop-Up
Date: Saturday, May 31Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Location: Kanpai Coffee & Beer Garden, 215 Henry St. Dallas
Touting “extra kick-ass raffles” with records, merchandise, and gift cards from a slew of contributors, including Josey Records, Red Zeppelin, Black Cat, Recycled Books and Records, and many more, this benefit stands apart from the rest. After the recent passing of Penn, Good Records co-founder, the record community is coming together for a record store pop-up from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and live music performances to follow by Long Black Car, Ghost Roper and more. All proceeds go to the Good Records family.
Save The Cicada
Date: Sunday, June 8Time: 2:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Location: The Cicada, 1002 S. Main St., Fort Worth
The Cicada is a Fort Worth music venue run by husband and wife team, John and Tyler Stevens. The space formerly known as Main at South Side has been transformed with warm lighting and beautiful sculptures made of crystals and moss adorning the space, bringing taxidermy chic and fairy forest vibes to the excellent listening room, complete with top-notch sound engineers and bar staff. However, according to a post on their Instagram, the space is facing a 25% rent increase and needs help now more.
“Our June 8 benefit is a big moment, but the truth is, we need your support starting now. Every visit, every event, every round of pool or jukebox pick helps keep us afloat,” they wrote. The benefit taking place includes a silent auction, vendors, and drink specials, as well as live music performances by Son of Stan, Oatmeal Pizza, Katie Robertson, Darstar and several more.
Love Wins at Lou’s Pride Celebration
Date: Sunday, June 8Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Lucky Lou’s, 1207 W. Hickory St., Denton
Lucky Lou’s is celebrating their fifth annual Pride with an all-day event with food by Miss Gay Texas State Fundraiser. A percentage of funds will go to Outreach Denton, “a nonprofit organization committed to providing mutual support, resources, organizing, advocacy and fun with the LGBTQ+ community in Denton, Texas,” according to the Outreach Denton website. 21-plus. Event details to be announced here.
Sister Act All-Stars by Friends With Benefits
Date: Sunday, July 13Time: Doors, 7:00 p.m.; Show, 8:00 p.m.
Location: Dan's SilverLeaf, 103 Industrial St., Denton
Friends With Benefits, a nonprofit that helps other nonprofits raise funds to continue their work, will be raising funds for their own operations. Sister Act All-Stars is a one-of-a-kind drag competition that features five Denton bartenders going head to head with five local drag performers, where attendees vote $1 at a time. Sure to be a knock-down, drag-out event! Details here.
