Revolution 91.7 knows how to rock. For more than 20 years, WWHR-FM has moved music forward. Delivering a commercial-free mix of progressive music to listeners throughout south-central Kentucky is what the station does best—and it doesn’t just do it in a studio. Mayhem is Revolution’s annual spring charity music festival that takes the tunes to the lawn. People of all ages are invited to come together on Friday, April 29 from 4pm to midnight at Circus Square Park in downtown Bowling Green for free concerts, community, and camaraderie to benefit Henry F. Moss Middle School’s Music Program.

O, Don Piano from Nashville, Tennessee, will share their catchy folk-rock rhythms to kick off the festival. This band received national buzz after sitting down for an unplugged session at the increasingly popular Daytrotter recording studio, a place haunted by college radio heavyweights like OKGO and the Avett Brothers. As the sun beings to set, festival-goers can satisfy their local music cravings with the flavorful feel of The Black Shades. A perfect mixture of sweet and salty, The Black Shades have been compared to artists like The White Stripes, Wolfmother, and even David Bowie.

Nashville native Kyle Andrews is also on the bill for Mayhem 2011. His sugary-sweet pop music has been featured on several national automotive and hotel advertisements, but don’t let that fool you. Kyle’s live show is full of honest and energetic exuberance that is bound to get and keep you on your feet. The dancing won’t stop there, either. The tough-girl rock act Vanity Theft will delight fans with music from their latest album: Get What You Came For.   

Festival-goers will get another dose of local flavor with Bowling Green’s own Technology vs. Horse, winners of RevFest: Battle of the Bands. Last fall, Revolution 91.7’s charity music festival was transformed into a battle of the bands competition and raised more than $600 for the Henry F. Moss Middle School’s Music Program, with TVH rising to the top.

Headlining this year’s Mayhem is Brooklyn-based group Bear Hands. Their debut LP, Burning Bush Supper Club released on Cantora Records last fall, has helped catapult the band into spotlight. They’ve opened for indie-music heavyweights like MGMT, Vampire Weekend, and Les Savy Fav and have spent time touring with bands like Passion Pit, We Were Promised Jetpacks, and Manic Street Preachers. Their live shows are consistently reviewed as jam-packed with infectiously sexy energy.

Closing out the night is Canago, a Bowling-Green based group with a very supportive local fan base. The group formed in 2009 and has been creating a name for themselves ever since. Their live show is hands-down one of the most buzzed about shows in Bowling Green; Canago work hard to show a slightly different facet of their endless talent every time.

 Most importantly, Mayhem is a charity event.  Donations from attendees do not go to the station’s pockets, but rather to a hand-picked, worthwhile, and local cause. This year, the community is invited to join in supporting the Henry F. Moss Middle School’s Music Program to help make music education available to all kids. Though there is no admission charge to attend Mayhem, donations will be accepted for the charity at the event.

This year’s Mayhem has expanded to feature food from local vendors and booths with merchandise from local artisans. A portion of all purchases made at Mayhem will be donated to the charity, as well. Several local businesses are supporting the event, including Great Escape Records and Comics, Burnam & Son Mortuary, Insurors of Kentucky, Batteries Plus, Georgie’s Gift Baskets, Overtime Bar & Grill, Hilligan’s, DMZ, JP Properties, Yellowberri, SKYe Magazine, Deemer’s Florist, Smucker’s, and Royal Music.

At Mayhem, music lovers of all ages will be able to show support for local music, for this growing community, and for the education of children in the area.  Mark your calendars for Friday, April 29 and make plans to attend this exciting event.

For more information, follow Revolution 91.7 on Facebook and visit their newly-renovated website at revolution.fm.