Join us for a cosmic night of music and dancing with We Are Star Children live at the Thistlerock Amphitheatre, a concert benefiting ReadyKids in partnership with Charlottesville’s Carlos Marrone, who is swimming across the English Channel to support of ReadyKids in October 2024.
We Are Star Children:
We Are Star Children is a 9-piece "adventure pop" band from Charlottesville, VA. They veer in and out of conventional rock/pop arrangement: horn and synth cascade over a surging rhythm section, brazen enough to share lead with the advancing wall of rich harmony vocals. In their recordings and live shows alike, they continually dance with beauty and mayhem, occasionally spinning into a contemplative waltz or tip-toeing down an eerie alley, but ultimately whipping the crowd into a full froth. They frequent debaucherous fundraisers, host homegrown shows in beach clubs, and bring down the house whenever they appear on Central Virginia’s biggest stages.
Tickets are available at https://starchildrenatthistlerock.eventbrite.com
A Message From Carlos:
I always had a deep passion for the ocean and open water. Swimming for me is very relaxing and allows me to focus. Even in conditions that are not ideal, being out in the open water brings me peace of mind. I remember once reading from American writer, Lauren Myracle, who stated “You will love the ocean. It makes you feel so small, but not in a bad way. Small because you realize your part of something bigger." This resonates deeply with me. We are all connected to something much greater than ourselves, and have the ability of making a positive impact in the lives of others, especially when working together.
For this reason, I am dedicating my swim to a wonderful organization called ReadyKids, which is very near and dear to my heart. ReadyKids is a local non-profit serving Charlottesville, VA and the surrounding counties. Their mission is to promote kids' wellbeing through counseling, family support, and early learning opportunities. For over 100 years they have responded to the changing needs of kids and families with evidence-based programs that get kids ready for school and ready for life. Each year, they impact more than 4,400 kids, parents, and early childhood educators.
Throughout my life, both as a child and as a father, there have been many times when I felt very alone and overwhelmed with the challenges I faced. My ability to grow through my challenges were greatly impacted by having access to healthy parenting relationships and community support. This is why I feel strongly about ReadyKids and the wonderful support they provide to families and why I am so thrilled to partner with Thistlerock this summer to launch our campaign for ReadyKids. It would mean the world to us to have your support with fundraising for this organization, and helping them continuously grow to positively impact the lives of so many families.
I’m scheduled to swim the English Channel October 9th – 14th, 2024. The exact day of my swim will depend on weather and sea conditions, and ultimately determined by the captain of the vessel, The Masterpiece, which will guide me across the Channel. To complete the crossing, I will swim over 21 miles in very cold water, while only wearing a swim cap, goggles, and swim trunks. On average, the swim can take 14 hours. This swim would not be possible without the continuous support from all of you!
Please feel free to access the English Channel Swimming Association for more information about swimming the English Channel, and to track me live during my swim!