Sixties Rock n Roll Show Benefits Breast Cancer Foundation

Sunday, May 22, hosts the third annual Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the cure fundraiser show. The event features raffle prizes and sixties rock n roll review band Generation: The Sixties Experience. The show begins at 5 p.m.

Cary resident Mike Pierce realized the Durty Nellie’s event to benefit Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation after losing his sister to a thirty-year-battle with breast cancer four years ago.

At that time, Pierce also commenced participation in a number of breast cancer fundraising activities, including annual 3-day, 60-mile walks, various runs and generating information on websites.

“The [annual 60-mile walk] is one of the hardest things mentally and physically I’ve ever done in my life,” Pierce said.

Pierce said his athletic struggles pale in comparison to the three-decades long war his sister fought against her disease since age 21.

Every year, Pierce asks businesses local to Palatine and its surrounding areas for donations to achieve Pierce's monetary goals toward the cause. Many businesses are thrilled to help.

“I ask, and they open up the flood gates,” Pierce said. “About one in three places I go into say yes.”

As a result of Pierce’s determination, he is able to entertain an extensive raffle at the annual event on Sunday at Durty Nellie’s, including more than $7,000 in prizes to be given away.

Among the prize list are photography packages, guitars, Chicago White Sox tickets, auto care gift certificates, therapeutic massages, hotel stays, a host of gift certificates to local restaurants and more.

Pierce said though he has been to many fundraisers, the Durty Nellie’s event sets itself apart in that it offers full entertainment.

“I try to give people something to do while they’re hanging out deciding what they want to get involved in,” Pierce said.

For the past two years, Generation: The Sixties Experience has proven an entertaining spectacle, as it has drawn a crowd to fill Palatine’s popular music venue. There, enthused spectators have donated upwards of $5,000 toward the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  

Lead vocalist of Generation and longtime friend to Pierce, David Huizenga said the nine-person musical ensemble provides “all ages entertainment.”

“We play mid to late 60s and even into early 70s,” Huizenga said. “We cover the British Invasion into the Woodstock era.”

Generation covers popular tunes of Rod Stewart, The Kinks, The Beattles, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Janis Joplin and beyond.

“Our goal is to recapture the whole [cool] fashion and scene of the late 60s,” Huizenga said of his band, who not only sings the part, but dresses it as well.

Huizenga said the “tribute,” or review shows he and Generation stage set themselves apart from those of other groups performing similar genres.

“Compared to other stuff out there, we broaden our appeal by adding horns,” Huizenga said of the three-piece brass section featured among the nine players of Generation.

To this end, Generation: The Sixties Experience is able to target its “key sounds,” as Huizenga calls them, of dance and soul.

Generation also will feature a pair of go-go dancers and accomplished lead female vocalist Kimi Hayes.

Tickets for the Susan G. Komen 3-day for the cure event at Durty Nellie’s are $10 at the door. Visit Durty Nellie’s for more information about the event, or Generation to learn more about the band. Guest band Abstract Reality will perform at the show as well. Durty Nellie’s is located at 180 N. Smith St. downtown Palatine.