Amidst the turbulent and tempestuous floods that have submerged the land and devastated peoples’ livelihoods throughout the Northeast, the Vermont-born jam band Phish sets out to help Vermont and Upstate New York with their Flood Recovery Benefit shows.
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The Flood Recovery Benefit includes two shows set to occur on August 25-26 at the Broadway Stage at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York. All revenue generated from ticket and merchandise sales will go towards Phish’s WaterWheel Foundation 2023 Flood Recovery Fund, which will benefit the families, farmers, local businesses, and whoever else felt the ramifications of the disastrous flood.
The founding of The WaterWheel Foundation took place in 1997 when the jam band decided to start a nonprofit organization that aims to create positive change by utilizing the generosity of both themselves and the wider Phish community. Other charitable ventures that WaterWheel has indulged in include the Surfrider Foundation, Homeless Youth Alliance, Meals on Wheels, Environmental Defense Center, Five Acres, and many more. The organization has raised and donated more than $9 million to 500 plus organizations over its 26-year existence.
Phish’s advocacy and financial support regarding these floods is far more than just a blind and obligatory donation. Rather, the donation is seemingly a highly personal one given that the band’s home state of Vermont was one of the many states severely impacted by the catastrophic flooding.
Needless to say, the group’s aid is generously admirable. The two concerts come during a break from the band’s extensive nationwide Phish Summer 2023 Tour set. That trek will end on Labor Day weekend in Denver, Colorado. The band will resume touring in October with a short run of shows scheduled.
Tickets for The Flood Recovery Benefit will go on sale to the general public on Saturday (July 29) at 10 a.m. ET, and can be bought HERE.
For more information about the WaterWheel Foundation, visit their website.
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(Photo by Alison Buck/WireImage for The Recording Academy )
