Michael Cee dreams big.
Wanting to raise awareness of AIDS and HIV, the virus that causes it, he decided to hold a fundraising concert in Lake George.
The event’s Web site touts it as the greatest four-day event in HIV-AIDS’ history.
`We’re going to try to do what Willie Nelson did for Farm Aid,` Cee said, referring to the concerts the country singer organized to highlight the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep families on their land.
Beyond the concert, Cee envisions building a hospital for HIV and AIDS patients, similar to what Danny Thomas did with St. Jude, an internationally known pediatric treatment and research facility. He wants to award college scholarships to people across the country infected with HIV and AIDS. He envisions bringing celebrities on board to support the cause.
It’s a personal mission; Cee lost a friend to HIV and knows a 26-year-old woman who has fought it all her life.
`HIV is our most serious problem,` he said.
The issue may be serious, but Cee hopes the concert will be a light-hearted, good time. Set for Thursday to Sunday, May 1 to 4, at the Lake George Forum, the concert will feature nearly 40 bands, all of whom donated their time.
Cee is quick to note, `We don’t have any Grammy winners,` but he’s excited about the lineup.
`We have some great road acts,` he said, rattling off names like Big Frank and the Bargain Bingers, the JCF Group and Bobby Dick and the Sundowners.
Multiple genres will be covered: The schedule includes country acts, rock and rollers and some punk and heavy metal, Cee said.
`I’m trying to get something for everyone,` he said.
There will be plenty for night owls, too: On Thursday and Saturday, the last band takes the stage at 2 a.m. On Saturday, the Mickey Cee Road Show will perform at 3 a.m.
Sunday wraps up relatively early, with the last band slated to go on at 10 p.m.
Bring Forth Ragnarok is part of Sunday’s Battle of the Bands, featuring local groups.
`We’re looking for a big high school and college draw on Sunday,` Cee said.
Overall, he thinks the concert will be fun for all ages and encouraged families to attend. Tickets are $25 per day.
`It’s a little high, but we had to do it,` Cee said, noting that sponsors for the event have been hard to find.
The proceeds are earmarked for the scholarship fund as well as for securing venues for future concerts. Cee’s grand plan is to hold concerts every month or so, but those will be one-shot deals rather than multiple-day extravaganzas.
`This is a lot of work,` he said. `I can’t do it all by myself.`
It’s not for a lack of trying. Cee has pounded the pavement to spread the word about the concert, hanging up signs and passing out fliers wherever he can. But he suffers from multiple sclerosis, and his energy level just isn’t what it once was.
In fact, Cee had thought of holding a golf tournament to raise funds, noting that he used to be an avid golfer before MS sapped his strength, but he didn’t think he could pull that off.
In the end, he figured a concert was a better fit anyway, since it can cut across gender, religious and other lines, just as HIV and AIDS do.
`Music is multi-cultural. Music is eternal,` he said.
Food and refreshments will be available at the forum throughout the weekend. The concert will go on rain or shine, since the forum is an indoor venue. For information, visit www.hivliveconcert.com.“