Operation FreeFlow
On January 9th, 2014, a coal-cleaning chemical was spilled into the Elk River, one of West Virginias most prized water sources. Over 300,000 residents lost access to safe tap water and the infrastructure devastation is still to this day, stunning. The offending company filed for bankruptcy and offered nothing in damages. Day-to-day conditions were and remain heartbreaking. Catalyst Productions responded with Operation FreeFlow. On January 25, 2014 Catalyst partnered with Sanger Carpentry, Appalachian Voices, Whole Foods and other corporate sponsors to host a benefit concert at the Jefferson Theater in downtown Charlottesville. This crucial first event provided an opportunity to raise awareness about those enduring, to channel resources for immediate bottled water relief, and to uplift the work of insisting on justice. We dispatched 44 tons of water to the victims of the water crisis, barely a drop in the tank.
Our next step was an indoor Local Wine, Craft Beer, Visual Art and Music Festival in downtown
Charlottesville's historic Paramount Theater, Sunday, March 23rd— a continued investment in addressing the devastation (reoccurring) in West Virginia. Local bands and artists included Alligator, Mountain Animation, the Dane Alderson Trio, and Larry Keel.
Our next step was an indoor Local Wine, Craft Beer, Visual Art and Music Festival in downtown
Charlottesville's historic Paramount Theater, Sunday, March 23rd— a continued investment in addressing the devastation (reoccurring) in West Virginia. Local bands and artists included Alligator, Mountain Animation, the Dane Alderson Trio, and Larry Keel.