In light of the terrorist attacks, Central Illinois bands and tavern owners have been teaming up to assist the American Red Cross and various other funds during this traumatic time in the United States, where relief donations are imperative to the recovery of the country.

Many bars are hosting benefit shows or are designating a certain night or a certain drink for which the proceeds will go toward the cause.

Uptowner Manager Jimmy Wickiser said he and his colleagues have been discussing a benefit show for some time now and are excited about unveiling and promoting the event in the upcoming weeks.

“We have this deal thought up about a donation, but we haven’t completely thought through it yet,” Wickiser said.

He said the plan entails having customers put their signature on a piece of cardboard poster outlined with an American flag. Wickiser said the cardboard poster along with optional donations will be sent to one of the numerous New York funds.

“(The benefit) will happen; it is just a matter of getting it done,” he said.

The Uptowner has also tossed around the idea of hosting a benefit concert, where the proceeds from the cover charge would go to another New York relief fund.

“We can be pretty persuasive,” Wickiser said. “I think we can persuade bands to donate their cover charge to benefit New York.”

With local band 11th and Cleveland scheduled to perform at the venue on Halloween, Wickiser said he anticipates the band will donate the cover cost of the concert to charity.

Restaurant and bar Gunner Buc’s recently followed through with a benefit that saw a packed house rock to the rhythms of local bands Dr. Wu, Eleven Days and Pop Rocks.

“The cover charges and 100 percent of Budweiser Draft beer sales (of the evening) were donated to the Hero’s Fund in New York,” said Doug Babbs, owner of the Mattoon venue.

Josh Jones, lead vocalist for Eleven Days, said he was impressed with the supportive audience that turned out for the concert.

Performing a benefit show was a rarity for the band, he said.

“Eleven Days do not play a lot of charity events, but with the tragedy on Sept. 11 there was no way that we were not going to play for it,” Jones said. “I really believe that music helps (people) in times like these.

“Music has the power to make your day just a little better. That’s why I am proud that we contributed. The crowd knew the reason why they were there, and I feel like all of the bands that night helped ease their minds for a few hours.”

Babbs said based on the success of the benefit, he would not be opposed to conducting another one in the near future.

“Nothing is planned right now, but I would give another benefit some thought,” Babbs said.

He said having the bands come together and blend their musical talents is what made the charity event a show-stopping success.

Champaign’s Canopy Club also lended a helping hand to the American Red Cross by hosting a recent benefit. Manager Mike Armintrout anticipated the club will be conducting a handful more in the future.

“We are always willing to help,” Armintrout said. “And musicians are always willing to help; it just depends on what they want to do.”

He said the club recruited nearly 20 bands who volunteered to play for free, with the stipulation that all the money they raised would go to one of the many East Coast relief funds. Employees also joined in on the act by donating their time and tips to the American Red Cross, the charity chosen by owners to mail the proceeds to, Armintrout said.

“We were kind of disappointed in the turnout, but all bar proceeds and cover charges went to the Red Cross,” Armintrout said. “We feel it is our duty to provide socially conscious entertainment to the community.”

Despite the low attendance at the charity event, the concert can be deemed a success based on the fact that a total of $2,100 was raised.

Friends & Co. owner Jason Kottwitz said his bar took a different route to assist New York as well as other charities that seem to have been overlooked since Sept. 11.

“We just made direct donations,” he said.

“Not to downplay the incident (terrorist attacks), but there are many other charities that need to be funded.”

Kottwitz said even before the attack on America, charity events have always been something Friends has been devoted to.

With the annual day-long Turkey Testicle Festival benefit set to kick off Nov. 10, Kottwitz said he is ecstatic about the fact that the concert will give the Coalition Against Domestic Violence an opportunity to be funded.

The proceeds from the shirts sold at the concert will also benefit the CADV.