Carry The Fire

Sun., Dec. 13, 6 p.m., $24, with Toy Soldiers, Drink Up Buttercup, George Stanford (featuring members of Townhall), Birdie Busch, The Blood Feathers, The Great Unknown, Cowmuddy, Fantasy Square Garden, Hezekiah Jones, Chris Kasper, Lady, Joshua Park, Spinning Leaves and Aunt Pat, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com, iourecords.com/thefire.

by John Vettese

rock venue/benefit

Maybe you haven't gone to The Fire in years. Maybe you've only gone once, and were weirded out by the tight space and rustic atmosphere. Know this, people: Now is the time to dig deep and show some support for a venue that's been massively supportive of Philly's music scene. The NoLibs room that nurtured talent from Amos Lee to Dr. Dog was a victim of this fall's ruthless L&I clampdown on Philly rock venues, along with its neighbor, 941 Theater. The owners need to raise $20,000 to bring the place into compliance. Fortunately, an impressive lineup has pitched in to play a fundraiser this Sunday — evidence of the venue's artist-friendly rep. Ron Gallo of Toy Soldiers knows The Fire as the place he first met and worked with many of the musicians that ballooned his lineup from a duo to a nine-piece. "The sense of community that resonates around The Fire must have seeped in somehow," Gallo says. Its storied open-mic nights of the early aughts gave Birdie Busch (pictured) her start as a performer, and she was taken with the room's eclecticism. You could see Cowmuddy dressed in Grim Reaper outfits covering "War Pigs" on Halloween, and then chat with them about Townes Van Zandt after the show. "It's one of those places where people get it," Busch says. "They can sit there, take it all in, and not feel like it's awkward in any way." Talent buyer Derek Dorsey says he's flattered by the support he's received from other venues like World Café Live, which hosts the fundraiser. "Our so-called 'competitors' have all been so gracious and helpful," Dorsey says. "This music community does have a chance after all."

Sun., Dec. 13, 6 p.m., $24, with Toy Soldiers, Drink Up Buttercup, George Stanford (featuring members of Townhall), Birdie Busch, The Blood Feathers, The Great Unknown, Cowmuddy, Fantasy Square Garden, Hezekiah Jones, Chris Kasper, Lady, Joshua Park, Spinning Leaves and Aunt Pat, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com, iourecords.com/thefire.