'Flamingo Incident' in Farmington Raises Funds for Cancer Center

A group devoted to raising funds for the Botsford Cancer Center in Farmington Hills will present an evening of music for a good cause Oct. 25 at the Farmington Civic Theater. 

"The Flamingo Incident" organizer Ben Hogg said the inspiration for the event is the late Ellen Grumeretz, his "very dear friend and mentor" who lost her battle with breast cancer. After her diagnosis, he said, she didn't ask "why me?", it was "what now?". 

"She was the one who always pushed me to get back into my music and my passion," Hogg said. "I didn't want her death to go in vain."

During a concert in May, the group raised $2,500 that went toward a weekend cancer screening event at the Botsford Cancer Center. The title and logo pay tribute to Hogg's parents and their travel group, called "The Flamingos". Their attitude, he said, is "What are we waiting for? What are we saving it for?"

"This is a concert that raises money for cancer treatment and research, but it also smiles in the face of adversity," Hogg said. 

Concert-goers can expect an acoustic sound that will make them feel like they're relaxing in a hammock on an island sipping a drink, he added. Tickets are $10 for the 8 p.m., Oct. 25 event, and can be purchased online at https://concerttix.ticketbud.com/the-flamingo-incident. 

For information, write to behogg@gmail.com or call 919-244-7004.