From now until midnight on February 27, vote for your favorite band and/or original 826LA student song at http://826la.org/battleofthebands/2009/. 1 dollar = 1 vote. Your votes determine who will headline the 826LA Battle of the Bands! Competing bands will play in order of their total funds raised.

Pledges over $30 are tax-deductible and come with free admission to the live show on March 1!

The Battle of the Bands is covered online by Dan Crane, world-class air guitarist and author of To Air is Human: One Man's Quest to Become the World's Greatest Air Guitarist. Rock out to Dan's blog, the Rock Report.

The live 826LA Battle of the Bands is an all-ages show going down at the Echoplex in Echo Park on March 1 at 3:00 p.m. Each set includes an original song written by 826LA students in Songwriting with Kate and Friends, a workshop led by singer/songwriter Kate Micucci.

The live 826LA Battle of the Bands will be judged by industry professionals: Liz Garo, Booker at Spaceland Productions; Pat McGuire, Editor in Chief of Filter Magazine; and Daniel Gill, owner of Force Field PR. Winners will receive spots in 826LA's new monthly variety show Tiny Vaudeville, a music video produced by Draw Pictures, a profile on filter-mag.com, and other prizes.

Vote as often and for as many bands and/or songs as you like!

For more information, please contact Christina: christina@826la.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can contributors claim this donation for tax purposes?

Yes, donors will receive an automatic tax deduction letter with their donation when they donate. In addition, donations of $30 or more receive free admission to the show.

Will the winning band be chosen by pledges or best performance?

There are technically two winners. The band with highest funds raised as of midnight on February 27 wins the Headliner title of the 826LA Battle of the Bands and a spot in an upcoming 826LA Tiny Vaudeville show (also at the Echoplex). The winner of the live battle wins a video produced by Draw Pictures, a feature on filter-mag.com, a spot in an upcoming Tiny Vaudeville, and more.

Is there a minimum amount of money that bands need to raise?

Our goal is to raise $30,000 for the organization—split six ways, that's $5,000 each. Bands are not required to raise $5,000 to participate, but the more they raise the better the spot in the show and the closer to achieving our collective goal of $30,000.

Are all the proceeds going to 826LA?

Yes. All Proceeds go directly to support 826LA's free writing and tutoring programs.

Do the bands have to sing the lyrics exactly as they are?

Pretty much. We've asked the bands not to change anything if possible, but they can make adjustments where necessary to improve the flow of the song.

Who wrote the songs?

826LA workshop students, ranging in age from 7 to 13, wrote these songs in an 826LA workshop called Songwriting with Kate and Friends, led by singer/songwriter Kate Micucci.

Who can come to the live show?

Everyone! It's an all ages show.