Connect Beyond Festival Announces “Hell or High Water” Nashville Benefit
“Hell or High Water,” A Star-Studded Nashville Evening to Benefit WNC In The Wake of Hurricane Helene, Announced for February
Connect Beyond is proud to present Hell or High Water: An Evening to Benefit WNC, a special fundraising event to support Western North Carolina's culinary and creative communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
This intimate, one of a kind experience will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the historic Bell Tower in Nashville.
T Bone Burnett and Rolling Stone senior music editor Joseph Hudak will host special (and several surprise!) guests, including Grammy winners Daniel Tashian and Mike Elizondo, on stage for musical performances as well as conversation around creativity and the inspiration behind their songs.
Guests will enjoy an all-inclusive evening, featuring:
Multi-course dinner led by James Beard Award winning chefs Sean Brock (Joyland, Audrey) and Brian Riggenbach (The Mockingbird)
Live music showcase and conversation featuring T Bone Burnett and Friends, moderated by Rolling Stone senior music editor Joseph Hudak
Open bar with a selection of fine wines, beers, cocktails and mocktails
A silent auction offering exclusive items and experiences
VIP ticketholders will receive additional perks, including an Asheville gift box full of locally-made treats and artisan goods, access to a private whiskey tasting room, and a limited edition signed poster from the event.
Tickets start at $300 per person, VIP packages are $750 per person. Sponsored tables (accommodates 10 VIP guests) are available for $7,500.
100% of net proceeds benefit WNC Tip It Forward, a relief fund providing critical financial support to local artists and food service workers directly impacted by Hurricane Helene. The region’s food and beverage industry and arts economy are both fighting to recover after Helene upended Western North Carolina last fall. While the disaster has faded from the headlines, recovery is far from over.
Daily life in WNC still involves navigating broken roads and debris, searching for employment and shelter, navigating long and complicated insurance processes, and the situation for many is dire.
WNC Tip It Forward has been raising funds since late October 2024 and quickly distributed over 1,600 grants to individuals. They are currently processing a backlog of applications as the region faces a long road to recovery.
“Winter is the slowest economic time in our region for two of our most vital sectors: artists and hospitality workers. The people who work in these sectors often overlap: artists who have day jobs, and vice versa. So it’s been a huge hit for them to lose art studio space, music gigs, equipment, income from restaurant closures, and more,” said Jessica Tomasin, Director of Connect Beyond Festival.
“This event embodies our commitment to supporting the vibrant communities we’re part of during this challenging time, and our friends at WNC Tip It Forward will be able to take action quickly with the funds we raise at this benefit. We invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable evening of food, music, and solidarity.”
Tickets are limited and can be purchased through Connect Beyond.
About Connect Beyond Festival
Connect Beyond Festival is a 501(c)3 nonprofit annual festival and year-round program, based in Asheville, North Carolina. Their mission is to use art, music, film, and storytelling to create connections and inspire social change. Connect Beyond is hosting and producing this benefit.
About WNC Tip It Forward
WNC Tip It Forward is a relief fund initiative co-founded by ArtsAVL, AIR (Asheville Independent Restaurants), and GBX Group, to provide relief grants directly to Western North Carolina’s culinary and creative communities that were impacted by Hurricane Helene. Donations are tax deductible and processed through ArtsAVL, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. WNC Tip It Forward is receiving funds raised from this benefit.
About T Bone Burnett
Joseph Henry "T Bone" Burnett III is an American record producer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was a guitarist in Bob Dylan's band during the 1970s. Burnett has won several Grammy Awards for his work on film soundtracks, namely O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Cold Mountain, Walk the Line, and Crazy Heart. T Bone’s latest album, The Other Side, released in 2024 to critical acclaim and is his first album in twenty years.
