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| Through Bayou Fest 2011 Dimitri's Rail Partners Once Again With Layla Grace Indie Extreme/Desert Highway Records rock band, Dimitri's Rail has once again partnered with the Layla Grace Foundation to raise awareness and needed funds for childhood cancer research. Bayou Fest 2011 is the brainchild of the band's front man, Paul Ehmer in partnership with Hank and Mark Cortez of Music Media Productions. Their passion for helping the foundation accomplish its goals has birthed this downtown Houston rock festival. Paul Ehmer's passion for the organization began when he became acquainted with the family of Layla Grace after a performance at The House of Blues in February of 2010. He was approached after the concert by Jennifer Medina, now Director of Events /Promotion for the foundation, about the band performing in a fundraiser she was organizing to help the Marsh family pay for neuroblastoma treatments for their 2 yr old, Layla Grace. That March Dimitri's Rail donated their time and talent to entertain the people who attended the event at the Meridian. Within a few days following the fundraiser, Layla Grace passed away. To continue his support for the foundation Paul Ehmer booked the entertainment for A Taste Of Cy-fair a fund raising event that drew 3000 people on June 13th and raised over $20, 000 for the foundation. In efforts to continue Layla's legacy and fill the need for more patient focused discoveries in childhood cancer treatment, Ryan & Shanna Marsh founded Layla Grace Children's Cancer Research Foundation. As a result of his participation in the Taste of Cy-Fair event, Paul got to know the Marsh family and has continued to look for ways to support and advance the foundation. Layla's story has had a far reaching impact over the past year in the development of parental empowerment and research in childhood cancer. The foundation has committed that 85% percent of all donations go directly to awarding grants for new discoveries in childhood cancer. Grants are reviewed and approved by the foundations Scientific Advisory Board. As corporate sponsors and events like Bayou Fest 2011 step forward, the percentage of donations that go directly to science will increase. Bayou Fest 2011 is scheduled for April 16, 2011 at Verizon Wireless Theater, Bayou Place and Hard Rock Café in downtown Houston. The all day event will feature Dimitri's Rail along with 26 other national, regional and local bands on 3 different stages. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Jazz News :: home page |