Benefit concert will support Charles Andrew Kirby Scholarship

After an East Carolina University student and a restaurant manager were killed by a gunman's erratic bullets during a shocking violent event in downtown history, friends of the victims and local businesses are working together to bring about some good.

On Nov. 12, Unk's will host the inaugural “Feel the Beat, Not the Pain” benefit concert in memory of Andrew Kirby, 27, and Landon Blackley, 21. The concert, scheduled for 5-11 p.m., will feature Big Hop, Cinder Cat, The Spittones and The Early Show. Proceeds made from admission, as well as 10 percent of sales at Unk's and at least one location of Michaelangelo's that day, will go toward the Charles Andrew Kirby Scholarship.

Andrew Harris, manager of Michaelangelo's on Fire Tower Road and good friend of Kirby's, said he and Steve Hill, a teacher at JH Rose High School, are working together to create a scholarship to help pay for one of the high school's graduating senior's college tuition. Harris, Hill and Kirby were in the same bowling league.

“We want to help out people in need, who really want to go to school, get a job and help the community,” Harris said. “Kirby went to school, so what better way to remember his name?”

Unk's owner Jeremy Spengeman says he hopes other business will join them in donating a portion of their sales.

“This is a really good cause, “ Spengeman said. “… It's a way to get people out and do something positive.”

Harris also said that even though the money will go to Kirby's scholarship fund, the concert is just as much in honor of Blackley.

“I didn't know Landon, but he also lost his life that morning,” Harris said. “So every event, every year, will be in honor of him, as well.”

Contact Kristin Day at kday@coxnc.com or 329-9579.