Evening of Music and Laughter

On Thursday, October 25, 2018 at the Village Theatre in Danville, Alive Magazine’s humor lifestyle contributing writer, Mike Copeland will be back hosting the 5th annual Evening of Music and Laughter, a fundraising show benefiting Discovery Counseling Center’s anti bullying project. This year’s show features a rare acoustic performance by co-headliners Static & Surrender and, back by popular demand, the very funny comedian, Bryan Kellen. With each show building off the last, there is much anticipation for this year’s annual event as Jeff Campbell, who performed acoustically in 2012, will be back fronting his new band, Static & Surrender, who just released their self-titled debut album to critical acclaim.

I’m very honored and proud to be a part of Discovery Counseling Center’s Anti-Bullying Fundraiser again this year. The passion of all the people who work so hard to produce a show that raises funds and awareness for such a useful cause is both heart-warming and contagious. I jumped at the chance to come back and do my part.
– Bryan Kellen

Mike, who has chaired this event since its inception back in 2011, also serves on the Board of Directors at DCC. He says “Bullying is widespread and perhaps the most underreported safety problem on American school campuses. Contrary to popular belief, bullying occurs more often at school than on the way to and from there.” Once thought of as simply a rite of passage or relatively harmless behavior that helps build young people’s character, bullying is now known to have long-lasting harmful effects, for both the victim and the bully. Bullying is often mistakenly viewed as a narrow range of anti-social behavior confined to elementary school recess yards. Perhaps more than any other school safety problem, bullying affects students’ sense of security. Discovery Counseling Center of San Ramon Valley also offers comprehensive and affordable assistance to school age kids in times of crises, emotional need and life transitions.

Past shows have included many of Copeland’s friends and such talented performers as Nashville country artist Paul Jefferson, singer-songwriter Courtney Randall, Rocker David Victor (formerly of the band Boston), STUNG – the preeminent Police tribute band, and, the incredibly versatile ACappella group from Vanderbilt University – The Meledors. Additionally, the show has featured the comedic talents of Tony Camin, David Vanavermaete, AnthonyHill and, Bryan Kellen who regularly opens for George Lopez on his national tours.

Copeland says this year’s event has secured their largest response yet from corporate sponsors including Title Sponsors; Interior Motions and Links for Life Foundation, in addition to Gold Sponsors; Tommy T’s Comedy Club, Cushman & Wakefield, Sunset Development Company/Bishop Ranch, Herzog Insurance Agency/Farmers Insurance Group, Ware Malcolm and ALIVE Magazine. Silver Sponsors include; Melanie Koehler, D.D.S., Synergy Global Housing,Cuenin Orthodontics, Trumark Homes, Pension Dynamics, Studio Blue Reprographics, Cardinal Consulting, Colliers international, ID Architecture and the San Ramon Valley Thunderbirds Football & Cheer.

Tickets for the show are $40.00 General Admission and $75.00 for Reserved VIP seating along a Static & Surrender CD. There will be a complimentary wine reception (sponsored by Fastbreak Consolidators) and dessert (sponsored by Danville Old Towne Bakery) prior to the show again this year. Kathy Chiverton, Executive Director at Discovery, say funds from this event will help Discovery Counseling Center to expand their highly- regarded anti-bullying program to more schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Every dollar raised at the anti-bullying fundraiser goes directly to the cause and the Quest Foundation, a private foundation located in Danville, has historically matched two for one, all funds raised with a generous donation. With a successful event, over 2,000 4th and 5th graders will be able to participate in Discovery’s powerful and effective anti-bullying course.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Discovery Counseling Center at (925) 837-0505 or you can purchase on-line at the Discovery website www.discoveryctr.net/eventsandnewsfallfundraiser.html. This event will likely sell out again so Mike encourages people to buy their tickets early. Kathy says she is so proud of what this annual event has become and yet it wouldn’t happen without the help of people like Zach Haller, Nicole Fornaci-Roukis, Mary Verstraete, Mark Heavey, Alex Cole, Eric Johnson, Ceal Barlett, Michael Taylor, Michele Milz, Karen Cordeiro, Greg Betty, Dave Jones and Sylvia Luneau.