Following the success of the Heart of Gold benefit concert earlier this year, the State Theatre will team up with another local nonprofit — this time to honor British music old and new.

The theater will partner with the Bestwick Foundation for the “British Invasion … Then and Now” benefit this weekend. The event will feature local bands including Ted and the Hi-Fi’s, The Screaming Ducks, Pure Cane Sugar and Miss Melanie and The Valley Rats performing songs by artists such as The Beatles and Adele.

The British twist is in honor of Jamie Bestwick, a native of England and former X Games gold medalist who now resides in State College. The organization’s goal is to assist families in the Centre Region who are enduring cancer treatment.
Bestwick Foundation secretary Steven Greer had the idea for this benefit after attending the Heart of Gold concert in January.

“This is a little bit away from doing a golf tournament or dinner and silent auction,” Greer said. “We also are community minded and wanted to see the community thrive a little bit and have fun while doing it.”

Greer worked with local musician Jason McIntyre to coordinate the musical lineup and was surprised by how quickly the event came together. He said the foundation hopes to raise around $35,000, which will be split with the theater.

“Jamie is as British as can be and everyone loves The Beatles, Rolling Stones and The Who,” he said. “It fit right into our sweet spot and our motto of putting the ‘fun’ in ‘fundraising.’ ”

Prior to the concert, a VIP “Brits Reception” will be held at Indigo nightclub, 112 W. College Ave., featuring food from local caterers and a silent auction.

From the theater’s perspective, marketing director Cathy Brown said it is always looking for opportunities to partner with local organizations and showcase local talent in unique ways.

“It’s important for us to be a home for local bands and be their home,” Brown said. “There are so many opportunities for us to do fundraising events for other organizations … they are always looking to do something different and the State Theatre provides a unique opportunity to do that.”

The "British Invasion" concert will start at 7 p.m. July 28 at the State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., State College. Visit www.thestatetheatre.org or call 272-0606 for more information.