Rockin’ the Night Away for Fun … and Funds

NEW YORK—Looking back a week later, it’s clear that the Rockin’ For New Eyes benefit concert was mainly about two things: fun and funds.

First, let’s talk about the fun. It began as soon as the New Eyes team started decorating the Hard Rock Cafe. As Bob Stein of National Vision explained, “At 5:00 pm on gig day the equipment for the band was pretty much in place, but the venue looked like it would at any lunchtime with no “Rockin’ For New Eyes” feel. By 8:00 pm the New Eyes team had transformed the room into a unique event venue with a true optical industry party and rock and roll vibe.”

By the time the opening band, Retrospex, hit the stage the club was filling up and people were dancing. The band rocked hard and exuded a good time vibe that quickly spread through growing crowd.

At around the same time, Diamond Vision National Vision was hosting a pre-party cocktail party off-site for 150 optometry students. At around 9:30 they walked over to the Hard Rock where they were joined by another 100 optometry students who received free tickets to the show. The students brought a jolt of energy to the show, shifting the party into high gear.

From then until midnight each successive band—Visionaries, The Bass Curve Band and my band, Zonules of Zinn, ratcheted up the excitement until the last band, Punktum Remotum, took everyone over the top. Led by Scott Bushinger, OD and comprised of student optometrists, this group of talented musicians and singers was greeted enthusiastically by their friends and classmates, who snapped smartphone photos and videos and cheered them on. They closed the show on a high note.

As for the funds we raised, the amount was impressive. Show organizers presented New Eyes executive director, Jean Gajano, with an oversized check for $203,160, a record amount for the four years the event has been held.

In a note to band members and fundraisers, Gajano said, “New Eyes is honored and privileged to have you all participate and because of your willingness to share your considerable time and talent, this year New Eyes will able to help 5,000 more children, adults and senior citizens in need get the glasses they could not otherwise afford. Please know your impact is deep and long-lasting—and we are forever grateful.”

Fun and funds can be a powerful combination, as proved by this annual event that brings together people from throughout the eyewear and eyecare community in support of a great cause.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s show. I hope to see you there.

Andrew Karp
akarp@jobson.com