Fundraiser in Memory of Ken Kelly, Somerville Restauranteur and Business Leader

SOMERVILLE, MA – The legacy of notable Somerville restauranteur and businessman Ken Kelly lives on next month, with a fundraiser and night of remembrance at Saloon. Kelly, who founded The Independent in 2001 and later opened Foundry on Elm, Saloon, Brass Union, River Bar and the Rockwell Theater, died in 2015 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Proceeds from the April 12 fundraiser will support Alan Kelly, Conor Brennan and Paulo Pereira, who are riding the Pan-Mass Challenge in Kelly's name. The event, now in its second year, will be held on Kelly's birthday and feature live music from Ronan Quinn, the Johnny Come Latelies and Paddy Saul, a complimentary buffet, cash bar and a raffle.

In a tribute to Kelly, Saloon's five sister restaurants will offer a special cocktail from which the sales will be donated to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The cocktail, "A Tribute to Ken Kelly," consists of a "Ken Kelly" bottling of Whistle Pig 10 Year Single Barrel Rye, Strega, Cocchi Torrino, Cynar and Bittermans Tiki Bitters. The cocktail will launch April 12 and is available for $16.

Tickets for the fundraiser are $50 and may be purchased here.

Patch File Photo