Friday Presentation

About the Event:

• Everyone who registers is invited to join us for our Friday evening concert “Stories, Music, Journeys” featuring Ben Shirley, the musician from the movie “Skid Row Marathon” and Bismarck Symphony Director Beverly Everett. 
• Ben was a professional musician who played bass guitar in a heavy metal band. Alcohol and drugs destroyed his career. After losing everything, he found himself on Skid Row. He joined the running club weighing nearly 300 lbs.
• The Basin Electric Beacon of Hope award will be awarded during this reception to a RADD runner that has used running to make the biggest difference in their lives​. 

 Timeline of Event:

• 3:45 - Gathering at the Heritage Center begins
• 4:00 - Playing of "Skid Row Marathon"
• 5:30 - Reception in Paaverud Gallery (outside of the Russell Reid Auditorium)
• 6:30 - Evening Program "Stories, Music, Journeys" featuring Ben Shirley and Beverly Everett in Russell Reid Auditorium
  • ​Film Maker Gabi Hayes and Judge Craig Mitchell will also be in attendance
    

About Ben Shirley:
Ben Shirley is an accomplished concert composer, film composer,orchestrator, and musician whose atypical path to success informs his music. A touring musician for 25+ years, Ben was previously signed to Epic Records, as a bassist, releasing rock radio singles charting in the Top 5. Not long after, drug and alcohol addiction drove him into homelessness.

​In 2011, Ben sought refuge at the Midnight Mission, in Los Angeles’ notorious Skid Row. He returned to school and rebuilt his musical life from the homeless shelter, where he resided for 26 months. In 2015, Ben was accepted into the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of Music, as a student in the inaugural class of the Technology and Applied Composition (TAC) Program. 

​​Today, Ben is 10+ years sober. His  works are commissioned, performed, and recorded by prominent ensembles, including the Grammy-award winning Pacifica Quartet and Quadre. His music has been performed by members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Opera.   

About Beverly Everett:
Everett believes in being a positive role model and advocate for young people.  She was invited to be a guest speaker at Cottey College's Institute for Women's Leadership and Social Responsibility to speak on Women's Leadership in the Performing Arts, and received a subsequent nomination to the National Advisory Committee for the Institute, on which she continues to serve.  (Jan. 2012).  She has been a founding Success Coach in the Students First! mentoring program of Bemidji since its inception.  She is a member of PEO Chapter F of Bismarck, and in 2013 was the recipient of the state Shining Star Award.  Everett is a distance runner and triathlete and is a member of the Bismarck "MeFirst" fitness group that promotes fitness by example in the community.