Flight to Mars Blasts Off at Showbox

Flight To Mars at The Showbox (Photo: Mocha Charlie)

This year’s 14th annual Flight to Mars two-night spectacular was bigger and better than ever, raising over $50,000 to benefit Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America‘s Camp Oasis, Patient Advocate Foundation, and Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy Foundation. Founded in 2003 as a tribute to 1970s English heavy rockers UFO, the supergroup features Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready on guitar, Ryan Burns on keys, Tim DiJulio on guitar, Mike Musburger on drums, Paul Passarelli on vocals, and Gary Westlake on bass.

Chris Friel Orchestra opened the night with a special tribute to David Bowie which included special guests Grace Love (Grace Love & the True Loves), Robb Benson (Stereo Embers), Jeff Rouse (The Guessing Game, Loaded), Adam Czeisler (Sweet Water), Sean P. Bates (Strong Suit), Ryan Waters (Prince, Sade), Barrett Martin (Mad Season, Screaming Trees), Kim Virant (Lazy Susan), Rick Friel (The Rockfords, Shadow), and Brad Sinsel (TKO).

Check out Mocha Charlie‘s photos from the star-studded second evening as well as Mike Savoia‘s video of Chris Friel Orchestra performing Bowie’s “Suffragette City” and Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades”.