BIAMD Bringing Back Bands for Brains, Sept. 26

BALTIMORE – The Brain Injury Association of Maryland (BIAMD) announces the return of its community concert fundraiser to support Marylanders affected by brain injury.

Bands for Brains 2026 takes place Saturday, Sept. 26, from 6 to 10 p.m., at Peabody Heights Brewery (401 East 30th St., Baltimore, MD 21218).

This all-ages show features performances across two stages from the following local bands and DJs:

●Chanp– Rock and roll band from Baltimore

●Medusa Stage - Baltimore band which combines rock and folk elements

●Tongue Scraper –Independent punk, noise rock and post-hardcore band based in Baltimore

●DJ Jason MacLeod –She spins at various private parties and events in the DMV spreading his love of music, through house/techno/pop/drum and bass/breakbeat and whatever other sounds tickle his fancy.

●DJ Huge Problem– She scours the internet for glittering beats and precious melodies from around the globe. She loves Vocaloid and seeing you dance!

“Whether you're coming for the music, the mission or both, your presence helps create a stronger, more inclusive community for those impacted by brain injury,” says BIAMD Executive Director Caitlin Starr. “Come celebrate local music while making a lasting difference; because every brain injury survivor deserves support, hope and the opportunity to thrive.”

Adding to the fun, concert goers can play pinball and other retro games in The Dugout arcade bar and the Bullpen adjacent to the main taproom. Food and beverages (including a signature mixed drink), as well as raffle tickets and event t-shirts will be available for purchase.

Event proceeds will help BIAMD provide education, advocacy, support groups, care coordination, resource navigation and community programs for brain injury survivors, caregivers and families throughout Maryland.

Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door, and free for kids under 12. For tickets or to make a donation, visit www.biamd.org, call 1.800.221.6443 or email info@biamd.org.

This year’s concert is BIAMD’s third Bands for Brains event. It was originally created by Riley Granek, a dedicated teen from Owings Mills, in honor of her mother, Jennifer, whose traumatic brain injury (TBI) from an ATV accident during a 40^th birthday trip to Costa Rica in 2015 left her in a minimally conscious state.

Granek, a guitar player whose life was greatly impacted by music and her mom's brain injury, organized a 2021 virtual concert with five bands as an independent study during her junior year at The Park School. She made a website, promoted the concert and launched it on YouTube in 2021, raising over $5,000 for BIAMD.

Determined to have Bands for Brains as a live event, Granek organized a follow-up concert as her senior project. The event took place in May 2022 with six local bands performing at Union Craft Brewery, and raised approximately $12,000.Sadly, Jennifer Granek died on Apr. 1, 2022.

BIAMD has bestowed Granek with its coveted Frances Bateson Dexter Award for her unparalleled dedication to and support of the nonprofit.

Now a college graduate, Granek continues to play an active role in Bands for Brains with BIAMD Support Services Case Manager and Legislative Liaison Ruth Carlock, who survived a TBI as a child and brings that personal experience with brain injury to her work.

A part-time drummer, Carlock uses music as an advocacy tool. In fact, she will perform with Medusa Stage at Bands for Brains 2026!

About BIAMD
Founded in 1983, the Brain Injury Association of Maryland is a nonprofit whose mission is to be the voice of those affected by brain injury through advocacy, education and research. Its vision is to bring health, hope, and healing to thousands of Marylanders living with brain injury, their families and the professionals who serve them. BIAMD provides leadership and support for a wide variety of projects and programs in resource coordination, prevention, education, advocacy and self-determination. For more information, visit www.biamd.org.