Colorful lights illuminated the crowd as Bay Area rock band The Wildcats brought electrifying energy to the Guild Theatre on Wednesday night. Through classic rock covers and a powerful performance, the event raised thousands of dollars for Americares, a global non-profit focused on health and disaster relief. The band of dads—featuring four guitarists, a pianist, and a drummer—has been showing off their talents locally for over 25 years.
Before the show, community members flooded the Guild Theatre, socializing and gathering their excitement for the show. People shared their enthusiasm, some having personal connections to the band members. “My boss is in the band. I’ve never seen him play. I’ve been hearing about his shows for years, so I’m excited to see him,” community member Maggie Grey said.
As the band entered the spotlight, eager fans cheered them on. With a brief dad-joke-filled introduction, the show kicked off. “We’re the band that puts the hip in hip replacement,” a band member said.
The opening song “Gimme Some Lovin’” by The Spencer Davis Group created a vibrant atmosphere, setting the stage for renditions of Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” and The Blues Brothers’ “Soul Man.” Their dynamic guitar performances and heartfelt vocals created an infectious energy that people couldn’t resist dancing to.
Americares members took the stage part way through the show to share their inspiring message. As a non-profit organization, Americares supports over 4,000 health centers worldwide, raising over a billion dollars and delivering supplies to around 85 countries annually.
Soon after, The Wildcats reclaimed the microphone, bringing more intensity to the stage. People crowded the front of the theatre, grooving to each new track that played. A soulful cover of “Love Train” by The O’Jays was met with a wave of cheers, and “Disco Inferno” by The Trammps connected the community with ‘70s nostalgia.
Participants thoroughly enjoyed the event. “I like the music, I like listening to my friend, and their lead guitarist is really good,” John Armstrong, a friend of guitarist Ken Kenrick, said.
For Americares, this event helped both in uniting the community and supporting their cause. “These types of events draw together people with a common cause of supporting organizations,” Americares Deputy Senior Vice President of Emergency Programs Provash Budden said. “It’s a good way to activate a community around music as well as have a good time.”
The night was a major success. Not only did the event raise thousands of dollars, but it gave the audience a chance to laugh, dance, and enjoy a charming dad-band performance full of energy and rock nostalgia. “It’s fun seeing the community come together and have a good time,” Armstrong said.
To support global communities in times of disaster, you can donate to Americares.
