Courtesy Image The above graphic created by Shannon Vivero of Vivero Industries illustrates the Battle of the Bands event happening from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the APlex, 701 Woodward Ave., Alpena. Proceeds will benefit Freedom Recovery Center.

ALPENA — An all-ages event celebrating musical talent and sobriety is coming to the APlex on Saturday, with proceeds to benefit Freedom Recovery Center.

Vivero Industries and Freedom Recovery Center present Rock Recovery, a Battle of the Bands event featuring five talented bands from northern Michigan competing for the $500 grand prize and studio time provided by New Level Productions in Alpena.

In addition to a great night full of musical talent, inspirational speakers will take to the microphone in between sets to tell their own stories of recovery. Two of those speakers are Carlos and Shannon Vivero, owners of Vivero Industries and the recovery clothing line Reborn Renegade.

“Freedom Recovery Center is an advocacy center that offers different services to their clients, such as therapy, clinics, substance abuse prevention tools,” said Shannon Vivero. “So that they can educate and bring awareness to a lot of different things. They really help our community.”

She explained that they approached the Viveros to partner for this event because Vivero Industries plans a lot of events in the area.

“They also knew that we were in recovery ourselves,” Shannon Vivero said. “Carlos and I are celebrating, in 2024, our eighth year of sobriety. And, we would not have anything that we have now without our sobriety. Our business is thriving, our household is thriving, our children our healthy. We’re very, very grateful for everything we have, but we owe it all to our sobriety, and we will never forget where we came from.”

The Viveros hope to inspire others by sharing their stories, and encourage them on their recovery journeys.

“We’ve always wanted to do something for recovery,” Shannon Vivero continued. “Carlos has a background in music — he has his own band, Katharsys Theory, so when it comes to all of the band relations, booking, band contacts, lineup, production, that’s all him in the background.”

“One of the things we wanted to showcase in this particular event is northern Michigan talent, period,” Carlos Vivero said. “All of the bands that are going to be in the lineup are either from the Alpena area or the U.P. We actually have two bands from the U.P. So, we’re going to give them a chance to really showcase themselves.”

First- through third-place bands will win prizes, he said.

“Second place is going to be one full studio session” at Lachine Machine Sound Studios, Carlos Vivero said, adding that third place will get to make a professional music video with his friend from Traverse City.

The winner of this rock contest will take the title of Rock Recovery Band 2024, in addition to the aformentioned prizes.

Attendees will have plenty of chances to win, with a guitar raffle and a 50/50 drawing. Half the pot will go to a lucky winner, and the other half supports Freedom Recovery Center.

The cost is $10 per person. Proceeds go to supporting awareness, education, and prevention efforts for those suffering with substance use disorder. Rock Recovery Battle of the Bands will be held at the APlex, 701 Woodward Ave., with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the event going until 9 p.m. Concessions will be available, but alcohol will not be allowed, as this is a sober event.

“By attending Rock Recovery, you’re not just enjoying incredible music; you’re also contributing to a vital community resource,” the Viveros said in a press release. “Between sets, hear inspiration from speakers sharing stories of recovery and resilience, adding an extra layer of meaning to the evening.”