45 RPM, which specializes in the sounds of the British Invasion and the U.S. musical response, will headline a Kiwanis Club benefit at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Historic Artcraft Theatre. Proceeds from the event will support programs by the Franklin and Greenwood Kiwanis Clubs to support local youth.
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Nearly 70 years after taking the United States by storm, the British Invasion is coming back.
When 45 RPM takes the stage at the Historic Artcraft Theatre on Sunday afternoon, the sounds of the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Zombies and the Dave Clark Five, as well as American bands such as the Beach Boys, the Turtles and the Mamas and the Papas, will come alive.
And for every groovy jam, concertgoers can know they’re helping support local children.
The Franklin and Greenwood Kiwanis clubs have organized a musical journey to the early ’60s, with proceeds go to causes such as Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, scholarships and other youth programs supported by the two Kiwanis clubs.
Leading the journey will be 45 RPM, an energetic rock and roll band that has built a large following by faithfully reproducing the songs of the British Invasion and America’s response. The concert starts at 2 p.m. Sunday.
“Our clubs have been working in earnest to make our communities better—especially for our children—for more than 50 years,” said Richard Isenhour, president of the Greenwood Kiwanis club. “We take part in a number of hands-on service projects to that end, raise money to build facilities and support programs at Riley, as well as support local programs that share our focus on children.”
Service has been a key component of the Kiwanis Club organizations since they were founded.
In addition to raising money for the children’s hospital, the Franklin and Greenwood clubs sew neck pillows and collect items for the Kiwanis Parent Comfort Cart there, which provides toiletries, snacks, games, books and other items to parents of patients at Riley Hospital for Children.
“Parents don’t always know whether their child will be hospitalized,” said Blake Bartling, president of the Franklin club. “The Comfort Cart provides them with items they need for unexpected overnight stays.”
Money the clubs raise also benefits children and teens in our local communities, Isenhour said.
The clubs sponsor Key Clubs at Franklin, Center Grove, Franklin Central and Greenwood high schools, as well as Greenwood Christian Academy. Fundraising also helps the clubs award scholarships to graduating seniors and support local programs helping youth, including KIC-IT, Girls Inc. of Johnson County and Turning Point Domestic Violence Services.
“Our goal is to make our communities better places to live, especially for our children,” Isenhour said. “This concert will go a long way toward helping broaden the service impact we have in the community.”
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from any member of the Kiwanis clubs or online at myevent.com/45RPM. Tickets also will be available at the door.
