All-day benefit show raises $900 for Downtown Mini Mall
Founded in 1979, Brave Combo, performs at the Big Benefit Show for the Mini Mall. The show's proceeds will go to the family of the Mini Mall and vendors.
More than 80 people attended the twelve-hour Big Benefit Show for the Downtown Mini Mall on Saturday at the Parker House in Denton. The show raised $900 for the vendors and owners of the business, a large part of which had to be demolished after a fire in December 2017.
The event was hosted by local venue booking groups DTXBnB Entertainment and Laconic Sound.
“Denton is a unique town in general and I feel like something like this shows people what can be accomplished when you come together,” Laconic Sound co-founder and owner Cameron Bradley said.
The show featured 20 performers and bands, a variety of food trucks, a raffle provided by Western Sons Vodka, art vendors and live painting. The two mini mall live paintings are being auctioned off on the DTXBnB Facebook page with bids starting at $75.
Bands played on two different stages and the event was advertised as family friendly until 5 p.m.
“It is a matter of bringing the community together,” Bradley said. “How often do you have an event where you have country, metal, rap indie, singer-songwriter, hip hop and a little bit of electronic music all in one place and within 12 hours?”
All artists performed for free and 7Feathers, a local nonprofit, handled the money raised through the show. All of the proceeds went towards the mini mall.
Local Denton artist, Channing Smith, paints one of two Downtown Mini Mall paintings to auction off at the benefit show. The proceeds will go to the family of the mini mall and vendors. Omar Gonzalez
Laura Barnett of DTXBnB Entertainment played a major role in organizing the event. She says some of the vendors do not have another source of income nor do they have insurance.
“They lost everything,” Barnett said. “They don’t have anything anymore.”
The 4-alarm fire left a carcass of a building and damaged other stores on North Locust Street, including La Di Da, Shop the Barn and Jupiter House. The remains of the 37-year-old antique mall were demolished on February 7.
“The Denton mini mall, just like Recycled Books, might as well be a historical marker of Denton,” Bradley said. “Anyone who grows up in Denton knows about the Denton mini mall.”
Laura and Rick Barnett of DTXBnB Entertainment initiated the idea for a benefit show and asked Laconic Sound to help. The event was originally intended to be a four-band show at the Abbey Underground but community support helped the event grow.
Laura acquired the Parker House for the event, which usually serves as a haunted house. The location allowed for two stages and an outside venue.
Ashley East, the owner of Parker’s Plantation, which includes the Parker House, responded with an emphatic “yes” when asked if the land could be used.
“We love Denton Square, everyone loves Denton Square,” East said. “It was pretty sad when we heard about [the fire].”
Denton businesses promoted the show and helped the event come together. Bradley said it was one of his favorite events to work on.
“It snowballed into this giant avalanche of awesomeness,” Bradley said.
Big Benefit Show for the mini mall organizers’ children help at the show by running the concession stand. The children help a man decide what to buy. Omar Gonzalez
The show started late and attendance fluctuated throughout the day with about five people at 2 p.m. and more than 20 people at 5 p.m. The standard price of admission was $10 and attendees could bring a cooler of beer for $5.
The performers included The Faps, Diesel Beast, Brave Combo and Ritchy Flo Magic Show with Vegas. The live painters created portraits of the mini mall and there were several tables of art for sale.
Monique McIntyre, a stained glass artist, sold her work at the event to benefit the mini mall.
“It’s good to support the community,” McIntyre said.
Bradley said he enjoyed working on a project that will benefit the community instead of a project for business purposes.
“They are playing for the love of Denton,” Bradley said.
Featured Image: Brave Combo performs at the Big Benefit Show for the Downtown Mini Mall. The show’s proceeds will go to the family of the mini mall and vendors. Omar Gonzalez
The Owners of the Downtown Mini Mall and family appreciate everyone who participated and contributed to the All-Day Benefit. We will be passing on the proceeds to our vendors to help with their loss.
We thank each and everyone of you.
The Best of Denton is the people of Denton.
Leo and Shirley Will
The Owners of the Downtown Mini Mall and family appreciate everyone who participated and contributed to the All-Day Benefit. We will be passing on the proceeds to our vendors to help with their loss.
The Best of Denton is the people of Denton.
We thank each and everyone of you.
Leo and Shirley Will