“Not everyone can talk so easily about poop,” laughs Ashley Tarbet. “It is a disease of the lower intestines. If you mention Crohn’s and Colitis to your friends and family, you’ll most likely find someone who is affected by it. Right now it affects 1.5 million Americans.”

This Thursday night, Rock For A Cure will be featuring Nick Cliché, Patrick Simas, The Digs, The Hideout, and Zip-Tie Handcuffs. Doors are at 8 p.m. for the 21+ gig and tickets are being “sold” on a $5-$10 sliding donation scale.

Tarbet is a strong supporter for Crohn’s and Colitis research after her partner, Nick, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis six years ago. “At first, I didn’t really understand colitis or what this diagnosis would mean for either of us,” Tarbet said. “Since then, we have learned a lot from his doctors, and from my Team Challenge family, about different medications available to patients, how diet and lifestyle can affect the severity and frequency of his symptoms, and how to be strong when no matter what we do or how well we watch ourselves the symptoms come back.”

Tarbet is one of the organizers of a short series of benefit concerts and will be running a half marathon in  Jamestown, RI this July to further support research for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America with Team Challenge. This Thursday’s event at O’Brien’s is the kickoff to the series with another to follow next month at The Midway. “Working with O’Brien’s has been so easy, they were so excited to help for a great cause and offer what they know best,” Tarbet said.

ROCK FOR A CURE
FEAT: Zip-Tie Handcuffs, The Hideout, The Digs, Patrick Simas, and  Nick Cliché
Thursday, April 10
8 P.M.
O’BRIEN’S PUB

*All donations of $10 or more will be entered to win a $50 AMEX Giftcard