How the Phoenix Rock Lottery benefits Rosie's House

In Phoenix's annual events calendar, the Rock Lottery feels refreshingly unique. Every year, on a brisk February morning, 25 local musicians gather and are randomly assigned into five bands. Each of those new groups then prep three original songs and a cover tune for a raucous evening gig at Crescent Ballroom. Local fans and musicians alike celebrate the Rock Lottery as this living testament to creativity and collaboration.

Eleven years into this event, even the most dedicated fans may be surprised to know that the event has a greater purpose than simply awesome rock music. The beneficiaries of the Rock Lottery — beyond the dazed musicians and their overjoyed audience — are kids from lower-income families around the Valley.

Proceeds from the event support the nonprofit organization Rosie’s House, which last year provided more than 28,000 music lessons and 7,000 meals to more than 600 area students. The Rock Lottery’s gift, says Rosie's CEO Becky Bell Ballard, comes out to more than $5,000 each year.

Bell Ballard lauds the Rock Lottery for its celebration of music at large, and for its support of essential music education for kids. During the 16 years that Bell Ballard has been in her role, she says, the disparities have only widened in which local students receive music education at school.

“Our work helps bridge the gap and help those kids who are less fortunate and who have barriers to participation,” she said.

Rosie’s House teachers are working with even more kids who arrive without having had any prior musical education. About 85 percent of the students the nonprofit works with are Hispanic and Latino, and most of those kids are from households that make less than $40,000 a year.

Be advised: none of those benefits have to weigh on you as you attend the Rock Lottery. It’s just a lucky pairing, sort of like with the bands themselves. You get to support kids’ futures while also taking in some primo tunes from Phoenix’s finest players.

"You're supporting local musicians," says Bell Ballard. "You're supporting a local music education nonprofit. And, as an audience member, you're seeing a once-in-a-lifetime show of incredible talent. You never know what's going to happen.”