In the wake of the appalling Pulse nightclub mass killing, which left 49 people brutally murdered at a gay nightclub in Florida two years ago, Reynolds School of Journalism Assistant Professor Ben Birkinbine felt compelled to give back with a benefit concert for Our Center, a local LGBTQA community space.
When the Wells Avenue locale was attacked by a rock throwing vandal earlier this year, his determination to help only grew stronger. So this past Saturday, Birkinbine and the band he is a part of Fine Motor followed through on their pledge with a solemn evening concert at the Holland Project, with proceeds going to Our Center.
“It’s kind of the punk rock mentality of sense of community," Birkinbine (second from left) said.
Fine Motor and other bands held the benefit concert this past Saturday at the Holland Project to help with repairs estimated to cost up to $10,000. Above photo provided to media by Our Center, which also posted this below video to Facebook after the January second attack: https://www.facebook.com/OurCenterReno/videos/1774797669230893/
20-year-old Erin Miller, a student at TMCC who goes by the stage name Surly, was the opening act. “I’m a firm believer in doing whatever you can to help,” she said.
Photos and reporting by Jordan Gearey for Our Town Reno