I mentioned this in passing in the Chicago Qualifier post, but let's have a whole post about it because it's important and it's bigger than just Chicago. I say that air guitar is a family all the time, but this is the proof. Plus: ways to help!
Noche at the Chicago qualifier - photo by Nicole Sevcik aka Cleoplectra
So, as you may be aware, Chicago air guitarist Noche is basically a superwoman. When she isn't terrifying your face with her shredding skills, she is living with and caring full-time for two women with serious disabilities, as well as her own two adorable kids who are both under 5. Naturally, getting anywhere with this group requires some infrastructure; she uses a wheelchair-accessible van to go anywhere and do anything.
Unfortunately, the van has been in poor shape for a while now, and she has been trying to raise money to replace it (the agency for which she works is on a tight budget and can't pay for a replacement right now). Then, last fall, disaster: some teenage jerkwads stole the van and, like teenage jerkwads do, took it on a joyride and beat it all to hell. She got the van back, but now it's in even worse shape than before, and the wheelchair lift can't be repaired anymore. What is a wheelchair van without a wheelchair lift? She is in a serious bind with regard to transportation right now.
So, she has a fundraising page. Friends and family have been helping out when and how they can, but it's drops in the bucket, really. So, her air guitar family came up with an idea. Since qualifier season is starting to ramp up, we thought we might be able to use that in some way to help out. Well, not "in some way." In the way of money, specifically. The Chicago qualifier pioneered it, and now many upcoming qualifiers will also be donating some or all of their proceeds to her cause! If there's ever been a better reason to go to your local event, I don't know about it. We love each other and want to help one another, and now we're going to rip some air for a good cause.
Would you like to help? Well, hustle off and buy a ticket to your local qualifier; invite all your friends and enemies and make sure they buy tickets too, and some qualifiers get paid out of the bar as well as the door, so be sure to drink heavily at the show just in case yours is one of those. If you'd like to help right now, directly, you can donate to Noche's fundraising page at any time.