Fragile, a band outstanding in their field. The band’s Heyde Center concert will
raise money for homeless vets.

This is a rare occasion when attending the “shotgun” wedding for the daughter of a family of bootleggers and outlaws supports a good cause. Rosewater, a musical experience of an old-time “shotgun” wedding, will be performed by Owen-based band Fragile to raise donations for The Hands Foundation’s Homeless Veterans Project. The foundation, formed in 2003 by band members Chauncey and Darrell Marrier, is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding homeless veterans. Rosewater is an outlaw bluegrass musical performance with a storyline set in the 1930s. The incredible vocals and instrumentals make this event enjoyable for people of all ages. Except for their innocent daughter, Violet, the Rosewater family is made up of outlaws and bootleggers. The music follows the lives of the two young lovers, starting with their wedding day and ending in old age. The audience becomes part of the wedding, posing as “wedding guests” and being asked to dress for the occasion and bring “wedding gifts” which will be distributed to homeless veterans. Recommended gifts are sleeping bags, backpacks, new winter clothing, personal hygiene items, socks, quilts, blankets, underwear, or any item beneficial to someone in a homeless condition. The last show was highly successful, producing 342 “gifts” for homeless veterans. Fragile is kicking off its national tour at the Heyde Center, and will continue on to perform in  Green Bay, Minneapolis, and Nashville, Tenn. Before and after each show, the band talks about the conditions of homeless veterans and the organization’s goals of rebuilding those veterans’ trust by helping them in any way, from providing them necessities to helping them find employment. The admission charge covers the cost of the concert; tax-deductible donations also will be accepted. (Checks should be made payable to the Hands Foundation.) For information on the foundation and its projects, visit HandsFoundation.com.