This week’s featured show is the three-day-long Exposure Concert 8 at the Cove.

Love Shouldn’t Hurt was founded by Suzanne Suchan, survivor of a 22 year violent marriage.  One morning, their 16-year old daughter, Jackie, confronted Suzanne, threatening to run away if her mother didn’t do something about their dangerous, turbulent daily life.  They made a pact that Jackie would call 911 the next time Suzanne was being attacked.  Within 2 weeks, that call was made, and her ex-husband was arrested.

A year later, she began to open up about what happened.  Suzanne was taken aback by an outpouring of responses from men and women who wanted to share their survivor stories; who said they, too, felt alone and that nobody else would understand.

In a discussion, a small group of young women said they didn’t want others to know their story.  They asked Suzanne to be their voice. That is when she went public.

“It means so much just to have your feelings validated by someone who has been there.  Don’t let the other team downplay the abuse. You are not crazy, and it does not have to get physical to be abuse. Words can bludgeon our hearts and pscyhe. So does being neglected and ignored. There are several forms of abuse.  It is VERY real. Additionally, this is not just a women’s issue. One in 4 women, and 1 in 6 men are directly impacted by domestic violence. When I speak, behind my voice are the stories of hundreds of survivors who shared their lives with me.”

The EXPOSURE Concert came as a dream. Ten months later, it went live, as 43 bands came to perform a half-hour set in the first concert August 13-15, 2010, and was watched from 7 countries and 34 US states. The term ‘EXPOSURE’ is used because we need to ‘expose’ the topic –  we are putting unity back in the community through music and raising awareness of domestic violence.

44 bands will grace the two stages at The Cove in Depew, NY between June 23rd & 25th for this year’s annual concert all to raise awareness & “exposure” for domestic violence awareness. This year’s line up includes: Chris Squier, Surrender Reality, Ed Koban & Peter Vincent, John Hornberger,  Community Service, The Orange Friction, Kevin Blakita, Nix Vega, Floyd The Barber, Spacelord, Andy Herman, Dave Ostroski, Pete Kremer, Brian Quigley, Sean Lander, James Smith, Heenan Brothers, Dirty Smile, Tyler & Jamie, Nickel City 5, Creative Spirit, The Dynamic Richie Derwald’s Las Vegas Show & Dance Party, Johnny Ryder Munt, Lenny Revell, Silkat6, Sentinel, Yeti Massacre, Swill, Darling Harbor, Gods Creatures, Rockin Ronnie & Coco, Raspy Jones, Mike Zogaria, BigBottleRocket, Porcelain Train, Charlie Reed, Katie Ann & MC Zill, One Eyed Jack, Dogghouse Band, French Quarter Hounds, Slight Return, String Theory, Uncut Stones, & The Scarecrow Show.

Games, Drink Specials, Basket Raffles, Electric Guitar Raffe, Plinko for Prizes, and Concert Tshirts will be around all day as well at this Free event! All ages are welcome, so go support tons of great local music & a great cause!

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Greg Burt is a Concert Promoter/Sound Guy/Music Supporter/Keyboardist/etc. He can be reached at Greg@FTMPEvents.com. For the full FTMP show calendar, visit www.FTMPEvents.com.



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