Tonight is the first set of shows of Noise for the Needy (NFTN) a weekend full of music to benefit the Ballard Food Bank. The concerts will be held at various venues around Ballard, including the Sunset Tavern, Tractor Tavern, Conor Byrne and Hattie’s Hat. For a full calendar of shows, click here.
NFTN is a yearly benefit festival, choosing a different Seattle charity to raise money for each year. Started in 2004, the volunteer-organized festival has raised upwards of $20,000 in past years for organizations such as Real Change and the Seattle Community La Center. In a recent Seattle Times article, director and co-founder Richard Green said the headliners are the charities. “That is one of the ways we distinguish ourselves from other festivals.”
This year’s festival will likely benefit from its Ballard-based charity, the Ballard Food Bank. “Obviously the money’s really going to help, but [the food bank] is really interested in connecting with a younger audience and letting them know what they do and that they’re right down the street,” Green said.
To learn more about the festival, click here, or visit NFTN’s Facebook page.