We’re smack dab in the middle of a week based around giving thanks, staring down a four-day holiday weekend that has most people already checked out. But at the tail-end of the oncoming festivities, Boston duo Leo*Leo are continuing the act of giving back, playing two shows at the Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain this Saturday to benefit the Animal Rescue League.
“Showing gratitude by giving back — even before we ‘make it’ — is part of who we are, says Sarah Hope, who along with bandmate Vanessa Wheeler count three pets in their musical stable: Meegs the cockatiel, Sophia the dutch shepherd mix, and a chihuahua/terrier named Basil. “Every artist makes a greater impact by aligning support for others. Even if it isn’t money, we all have a gift we can give someone other than ourselves. Leo*Leo doesn’t make a lot of money, yet, from music and we won’t make that our excuse to not do something for someone else.”
Leo*Leo are promising a few surprises at Saturday’s all-ages shows, a double-header (doors at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.) with special guests that funnels all proceeds to the ARL.
“A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from Leo*Leo saying ‘we’re throwing you a benefit in a few weeks. We’ll contact you with details.'” says ARL Boston director of marketing Ami Bowen. “They took it upon themselves to plan the benefit knowing we can always use the help. We do not receive state funding and count on donations in order to meet our operational costs. This is a great time for a benefit because the Animal Rescue League of Boston gets a lot of calls for distressed, abandoned animals during the cold months.”
Check out Leo*Leo’s recent EP, August’s Side One, and keep it locked to the band’s Facebook page for more announcements leading up to the weekend.
