OlympicsKimNiption (Bene)fit to aid local guitarist
- Original Charlotte.com article: KimNiption (Bene)fit to aid local guitarist
On Sunday, another person in need will benefit from the Charlotte music community, and this time she's a member of it.
A concert fundraiser called the KimNiption (Bene)fit will be held at Amos' Southend in honor of Kim Karnes, the guitarist for Charlotte alternative rock band Luna's Lament. Karnes was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
Karnes will perform with her band at the show, and she will be joined on stage by a handful of other local bands, including Volatile Baby, Echo Code, Steel Standing, Carmona, Stella Kid, and Lindy Dobbins & The Red Velvet Manx.
Karnes, who has lived in Charlotte since she was 4, has supported herself through her own home improvement business called The Wallpaper Woman for 13 years.
Yet most people know her as a musician. In an industry dominated by men, Karnes has stood out as a talented female rock guitarist. She won Feb. 9 at the Charlotte Music Awards Women in Rock showcase at The Milestone Club.
Lindy Dobbins, fellow musician and co-organizer for the fundraiser, said Karnes is looking at having a mastectomy in the coming weeks. She also needs to take a test for the ovarian cancer gene, which will decide how aggressive her treatment will be.
Dobbins said Karnes was denied the test when she could not pay the $3,000 required upfront. It was after hearing that news that Dobbins and other musicians started organizing the event to help Karnes pay for her procedure and face other medical costs.
'She's been able to provide for herself up until now and the pitfalls of our healthcare system are playing out before her eyes as she faces a battle with breast cancer,' Dobbins said.
At $10 admission, it might seem unlikely much money could be raised at a Sunday concert. But KimNiption follows a string of successful benefit concerts held in Charlotte in recent months.
Amos' Southend also hosted the Beards BeCAUSE benefit concert Jan. 11, which raised $21,145 for the Battered Women's Shelter of Charlotte.
And another group of bands and local businesses gathered approximately $20,000 at Marypalooza on Jan. 20 at Snug Harbor. Proceeds from that event went to Charlottean and Plaza-Midwood graphic designer Mary Lawing, who recently suffered from a stroke.
Friends hope to raise at least $3,000 Sunday to cover Karnes' immediate bills.
'She's just a neighbor of ours in the Charlotte community who is in dire need of kindness and support,' Dobbins said. 'Helping Kim is as simple as showing up for her on Sunday.'
No nonprofit has set up an account in Karne's name, but local organization Carolina Breast Friends will be at the event Sunday to help raise publicity for Karnes and other local breast cancer patients.
Want to Go?
What: The KimNiption (Bene)Fit.
When: 5 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 17).
Where: Amos' Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St.
Why: The fundraiser concert will benefit Charlotte guitarist Kim Karnes, and will feature bands Luna's Lament, Lindy Dobbins & The Red Velvet Manx, Volatile Baby, Carmona, Echo Code, Steel Standing, and Stella Kid.
Cost: $10 donations taken at the door. Ages 16 and older.
Details: www.amossouthend.com.
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