The stage at Lucca Beer Garden where several musicians will be performing next Wednesday to raise money for Mary Farmar Elementary School’s music program. (File photo)

Lucca Beer Garden is generally not open Wednesdays, but to help raise money for a good cause, the stage will be filled with the sounds of music for a special concert benefiting the music program at Mary Farmar Elementary School.

The Mary Farmar PTA Music Committee will be hosting its Gimme a Beat! Benefit concert next week to finance music education at Farmar. Committee Chair Shelley Rice said the group was formed as an offshoot of the school’s Parent Teacher Association after the music program lost a private donor.

“We were left with no funds and a program we wanted to continue, so we put this committee together,” she said.

Rice said the goal of the committee is to continue to provide Farmar students with a robust music education. Among other things, she noted that music programs help students form bonds with others, build stronger school communities and help them learn in other aspects of their education such as retaining knowledge.

“We just want to give our children the best,” she said.

Currently, Farmar offers a music program for students in first through fifth-grade. Rice, whose daughter graduated from kindergarten this past year and whose son will be starting in two years, said a major goal is to introduce the program to students at a younger age, in addition to supplementing the current program.

“The specific program that we’re trying to fund next year is one that gives kindergarteners music,” she said. “I want to make sure that all students have access to music.”

As chair, Rice came up with the idea of hosting a fundraiser concert at a popular venue. She reached out to Jan Lucca, the owner of Lucca Beer Garden, who thought it was a great idea. he then partnered with Jeff Campitelli, a Benicia resident who has played drums for guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani and is the rhythm director for Benicia a cappella group VOENA, and began brainstorming ideas with the committee.

For the concert, Campitelli has invited some of his musician friends within the industry, although details have not been announced. Justine Chadly, the owner of In Harmony Music will be performing, as well as past and present Farmar students and staff.

“This event is designed to bring together past and present students, their families, teachers, staff, friends, neighbors and community members,” Rice said. “It’s a reunion jam!”

Additionally, Farmar students in attendance will be invited on stage to sing a special song about their school. There will also be a tap takeover and magic tricks performed by magician Gerald Joseph.

Although the event is free, funds will be raised through a raffle and silent auction. Attendees can bid on such goods as drum lessons, a free semester at In Harmony, a guitar autographed by Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, and a signed copy of the 2017 book “Bauhaus Undead,” an autobiographical history of the legendary English goth rock band written by original drummer Kevin Haskins. The book is one of only four copies autographed by Haskins and Bauhaus guitarist Daniel Ash.

Rice hopes the event has a solid turnout to support and improve Farmar’s music program.

“We really encourage all to attend,” she said. “I think you’ll find a lot of friendly fun to be had.”

Gimme a Beat will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 25 at Lucca Beer Garden, located at 439 First St. The event is free and open to all ages. For those who are unable to attend but would still like to donate to Farmar’s music program, visit mfeptamusic.org.

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