Battle of the Bands Saturday For A Good Cause

This Saturday night, will host four local bands at a community event organized by a high school student with a big dream.

Kaitlin Reilly, a junior at Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale has been working on jigsaw puzzles for the past seven years in hopes of raising awareness and funds for Autism Speaks, the “nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization.”

Saturday, she will be working on her biggest puzzle yet – a 24-thousand piece, 70-sq.-foot puzzle entitled “Life.” Reilly’s goal is to raise $24K for Autism Speaks.

During the “Every Piece Counts” fundraiser, Moe’s will donate 10 percent of all sales fom 5 – 9 p.m. Saturday, June 11 to Kaitlin’s fundraiser.

“I wanted to get the community involved in my project and I thought what better way than to involve some delicious food and some wonderful entertainment. I was so excited when Moe’s Southwest Grill was interested in hosting my event, as they have excellent Tex Mex food,” Kaitlin said.

Entertainment during dinner will be provided by local bands competing in a ‘Battle of the Bands.’ Whichever group brings in the most fans will win a Sam Ash gift certificate. Sam Ash donated the certificate and the instruments for the bands’ use during the fundraiser.

According to Kaitlin, one group from Mahwah, the Escape Directors, will take on three Northern Highlands bands:

“The Escape Directors – an alternative- rock and indie inspired quartet based in the heart of Bergen County (from Mahwah).  Within the last year, the band has been extremely busy making their music heard and putting their stamp on the music industry. After a successful debut album “Ladders” the band decided to go back in the recording studio, this time in Cleveland, Ohio with multiplatinum recording producer Jim Wirt to record, “The Crowded Room EP” due out June 16!

Three Northern Highlands High School Bands/ Acts representing the Ho-Ho-Kus and Upper Saddle River areas

Raised Platform – a blues- rock jam band that plays mostly covers by The Black Keys and Grace Porter and the Nocturnals.  The three-member band is in its early stages, only being together for 2 months, but nonetheless excited to get out and make their sound heard. 

FlyByWire – an alternative acoustic rock band that plays mostly original songs, or what they would say “chill and jam band stuff.” The three-member band is not new to the music scene, having been together for over year and playing various events. 

Steven Viola – a creative solo artist who specializes in smooth jazz, pop, piano music. He experiments with new sounds and writes his own music, but occasionally covers some Elton John and Lady Gaga songs.”

Those interested in donating, either at the fundraiser or separately, can find out more information at the fundraiser website or Facebook page