Jamming for funds

When Huntington Beach local Dan Sharp lost his 26-year-old brother, Nathaniel, to cancer in September 2001, his grief inspired him to make a difference by raising money for cancer research.

“We [my family] also wanted to keep Nathaniel’s name alive and share his story,” Sharp said. “So we started the NKS (Nathaniel Keith Sharp) Foundation, which launched just last year.”

The foundation will host its second event, Bands Together for a Dream and a Cure, on Saturday at Pelican Isle, which will equally benefit the American Cancer Society and Dream Foundation. The event will feature a mix of blues and rock with the Robby Armstrong Band (from Sunset Beach), the Good Fortune Band (Long Beach) and the Midnight Groove Band (Torrance), who will donate their time and earnings to the NKS cause.

“It’s basically a music review of local artists,” Sharp said. “People are invited to come eat, drink and enjoy the show.

“CD’s, T-shirts, gift certificates and other items will also be raffled to raise money for NKS.”

There will also be an “All-Star Jam” at midnight, when some of the musicians will conclude with the final set featuring a classic rock open jam session.

Erich Munzner, lead vocalist and guitarist for the Good Fortune Band, which was nominated for Best Roots Music at the 2004 OC Music Awards, said the band is excited to be a part of the event.

“Dan is a longtime friend who introduced me to the [Cali] music scene when I first moved here from Seattle,” he said. “I’m happy to not only be doing something for a good cause, but something that means so much to him.”

The NKS Foundation held its premiere Sports Day fundraiser last June, with a sport-themed birthday party to honor Sharp’s brother.

The foundation plans to hold another fundraiser in the spring.

“Nathaniel was a wonderful son, brother, father and friend,” Sharp said. “He lived a life in just a few years that he should have lived in 50.”

Sharp’s mission is to help others who battle cancer, so that they and their loved ones won’t have to live life on “fast-forward.”

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Bands Together for a Dream and a Cure

WHEN: 8 p.m to 1 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Pelican Isle, 16400 Pacific Coast Hwy. No. 103,

Huntington Beach

INFORMATION: Admission is free; donation jars will be available.