Blend Band Bash

Sandy fun on a sunny beach is a far-reaching thought on these cold January days. Although Ridgewood's Blend Bar won't provide the waves, it will showcase the tunes at tonight's 'Bands in the Sand' concert.

Benefiting the Footprints in the Sand Foundation, tonight's show will feature four area musical groups playing original and cover songs.

A graduate of Pascack Hills High School in Montvale and freshman at James Madison University in Virginia, Adam Okimatsu helped organize the event as a chance for college students and alumni to come together for a good cause.

"We wanted to do something around New Years to give back and help out," Okimatsu said. "The college thing was a last minute thing to make it more fun."

Footprints in the Sand is a nonprofit organization that helps families deal with the psychological and financial hardships caused by cancer in Bergen and Rockland counties. The group councils and aids families with the medical bills and long-term effects, like grief and depression.

Okimatsu previously worked with Footprints in the Sand, and, with friend Rob Sobel, approached it about a fundraiser event. The group used its connections with Blend, and the village establishment offered the venue up free of charge.

"All proceeds come back to help people who's lives have been affected with cancer," Footprints Casey DeZorett said. Tickets cost $10.

The event—running from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.—is for all ages, and includes two raffles and four bands playing 45-minute sets, DeZorett said.

At the show, solo musician Jason Winikoff and bands Righteous Fists of Harmony, Plan B, and Okimatsu's group, Suburbia, will perform. 

Suburbia will spotlight a foundation member on guitar for a number, as well.

"The foundation has helped 12-year-old Ronnie Marsico out of his depression after his dad died," DeZorett said. "[Ronnie] started playing guitar and will play with Adam's band."

Marsico has practiced numerous times with Suburbia and will guest on guitar during the group's rendition of "Dani California" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Okimatsu said.

Another noteworthy performance is Plan B. Composed of high school teachers from Pascack Hills, Okimatsu said, "Plan B always played at school talent shows, and were great. I though it'd be something what people want to see."

If you go: Bands in the Sand at the Blend Bar, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $10 donation. For more information, visit Footprints in the Sand's Web site.