Vinyl Palooza 2.0: A Mind-Blowing Retro Fundraising Party

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Early Connections tried a different kind of fundraiser last year: Vinyl Palooza! Not your average celebrity bartender event where attendees basically just drink for charity, this get-together includes myriad fun activities centered around our love of music and all things vinyl.

You can promote your favorite band by participating in "Pay to Play" where the DJs at Erie ExperienceVinyl will spin new and old records with selected songs for a donation. Donate more than the last person and your song moves up in the rotation. There will also be guest DJs, auction items, signature drinks, and music-inspired artwork. An auction of rare vinyl will take place, during which it is rumored that a mint Beatles album will appear. Get your team of four together for Rock'n Roll Trivia. Teams are encouraged to dress like their favorite band. Who doesn't want to go to a party looking like the Clash, the Cure, or Twisted Sister? Individuals can also dress accordingly to win prizes. Time to bust out your Madonna cones and fingerless lace gloves, perhaps?

Last year, more than $4,000 was raised for Erie's Future Fund, administered by Early Connections, which provides scholarships to low-income families so that their children can attend quality early childhood education programs throughout Erie County. Early Connections' mission hasn't changed in over 125 years: to meet the needs of children and their families. A majority of the families served live in some degree of poverty and face multiple challenges within their lives. Children at Early Connections are being given the opportunity to develop intellectual, social, and emotional skills that will help them succeed in school and life. Now that's a record worth replaying. – Bryan Toy

5 p.m. to midnight // 1013 State St. // facebook.com/erie.experiencevinyl