The Press Room in Portsmouth will host a benefit concert at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 1, to help those directly affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill. The concert is one of more than 25 benefit shows taking place at music venues throughout the country on July 1. 

The Press Room will collect donations at the door, with all proceeds going to the Gulf Restoration Network, an organization committed to protecting natural resources in the Gulf region. The Restoration Network plans to use revenues from the concerts toward wildlife and wetlands restoration and to help fishermen and their families cope with the disaster. The fundraising goal is $500,000.
Press Room manager Bruce Pingree said the local concert is one of only a couple taking place on the East Coast. “I’m hoping for a good crowd once we get the word out on what this thing is,” he said.

Pingree is still finalizing the musical lineup for the show. Among the performers will be blues musicians Morgan Davis, who once lived in New Orleans and has played at The Press Room before. “He’s a great guitar player and singer,” Pingree said. 

The show begins at 8 p.m. on July 1 at The Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 603-431-5186.