06/03/2026
A letter from Lady Rick Berlin.
Last night’s John Casey's Bar Wars wiped me out (in a great way - including a couple of senior ‘moments’). A giant night. The most money we’ve ever raised at a JCBW fundraiser at the Midway Cafe (Jay Balerna got the performers and judges beer and chased me downstairs to point out where his brother - oops! Can't write that s**t.
Sure. There were winners. It's a hilarious competition, but felt like a functional family of happy warrior weirdos.
Every band, every bar repped, every performer brought heart, life and talent to the stage. For me running around like a fool 2 months prior, you guys brought it well in advance for rehearsal shots, promo and practice. AND you made the back line the fullest ever. Looked like a drone shot of Manhattan on that stage! (PS thanks to Billy Squire for polishing, repairing and prepping the kit!).
Not one (Heather Timmons) but TWO (Joe) sound guys managing the transition insanity. Judges stuck it out and remained alert by the end of a long 11 band count. Marc Waterfall tallied and managed the ridiculous intricacies of voting. Charles McEnerney did an every-day-something-new to promote.
Everyone supported every act. Dancing, cheering, listening, clapping. As it should be and why it is always my fave musical night of the year in the hood.
Transitions with a lotta gear - a pain, but bands were on point and pretty damn quick. Vice V'Ersatile?! What can I say? The guy ad libs like Groucho. THREE costume changes and a brand new fluffy wig!
Anthony Sahadeo (his pics soon up on the JPMF page) caught every move - every solo grimace.
