Raleigh, N.C. (Feb. 13, 2012) — Band Together NC, a Triangle-area nonprofit that uses live music to raise funds and awareness for other local nonprofits, will present its second annual Last Band Standing event on March 1 at Lincoln Theatre in downtown Raleigh. Four local bands – LiLa, Lizzy Ross Band, Big Something and Mipso Trio – will compete for a $3,500 cash prize and a spot in the lineup at Band Together’s main concert event.

Band Together NC is a Triangle-based organization whose mission is to raise funds and awareness for select nonprofits through events that showcase and support musical talent. All proceeds from “Last Band Standing” will benefit local musicians and Urban Ministries, Band Together’s nonprofit partner for 2012.

“Last Band Standing” will feature the four competing bands performing 30-to-40-minute sets that will be scored by five local celebrity judges and two audience votes. The winner will receive a slot in the main event concert lineup and $3,500 in cash. Last year’s main event concert headlined by Third Eye Blind attracted more than 5,500 fans and raised more than $482,000 for Band Together’s 2011 nonprofit partner, Alliance Medical Ministry. Footage from the first “Last Band Standing” event can be viewed here.

The event will also serve as a canned food drive to support the Urban Ministries Food Pantry. Guests can bring an unlimited amount of canned goods to contribute to their band of choice. At the end of the night, the band with the most donated cans will receive an additional vote.

“With the success of our inaugural ‘Last Band Standing’ event in 2011, we knew we were on to something great – a local battle of the bands that supported both the nonprofit community and local music scene,” said Jim Graves, event co-chair at Band Together NC. “We look forward to expanding this local music event in years to come and help our community in the process.”

Tickets for the second annual “Last Band Standing” show are just $12.50 in advance or $15 on day of show. VIP tickets including food, drink, private viewing area and donation are available for $75 in advance or $140 per couple. Tickets can be purchased through eTix at http://www.etix.com/ticket/online/performanceSearch.jsp?performance_id=1592395&, through a link from http://www.bandtogethernc.org/posts/events/last-band-standing-2012, or by contacting jgraves919@gmail.com.

For more information about Band Together NC, please visit www.bandtogethernc.org, become a fan on Facebook or follow @BandTogetherNC on Twitter. For more information about Urban Ministries, go to www.urbanmin.org.