![A folk band of 9 musicians play on stage](https://kxt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1DSC06027.jpg)
The Veselka Ukrainian Folk Singers of Dallas performed both the Ukrainian and American national anthems during the Ukrainian Benefit Concert at Amplified Live in Dallas. Photo: Jessica Waffles
North Texans showed up to support “Dallas Says No To War,” a Ukrainian Benefit Concert at Amplified (formerly Gas Monkey) in Dallas on Sunday, March 27.
It was an all-day event, from noon to 10 p.m. Local music artists on the lineup included Darlington, The Infamists, Flow State, Lost Art Legacy, Joseph Fisher-Schramm, Zane & the Strange Angels, and the Veselka Ukrainian Folk Singers of Dallas.
The event was organized by Jay Gavit, aka DJ Crash, in collaboration with Amplified and David Fletcher, who helped with booking bands for the benefit.
”Seeing troubling news, knowing I can’t just sit still and sit back,” Gavit said of his inspiration to put the event together. “We need to recognize that this has the potential to be a world war now.”
Proceeds from the show benefited the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, which is a nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia and Kyiv, Ukraine.
“This is a pro-event,” Gavit said. “Pro-democracy, pro-Ukraine, pro-freedom.”
![A guitarist andbassist play on a stage](https://kxt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2DSC05911.jpg)
The Dirty Shirts at the Ukrainian Benefit Concert. Nick Santa Maria (left) and Austin Lee Kroll (right). Photo: Jessica Waffles
![People in a crowd hold Ukrainiane flags](https://kxt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3DSC06043.jpg)
People in the crowd showed support for Ukraine by holding flags and wearing yellow and blue. Photo: Jessica Waffles
![A woman sings in front of a stage with image that says "Stand with Ukraine"](https://kxt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/4DSC05980.jpg)
Ludmlla Kasyanenko performs the song “Ukraine in my Heart Forever.” Photo: Jessica Waffles
![A man plays guitar](https://kxt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/5.jpg)
Nick Santa Maria of The Dirty Shirts. Photo: Jessica Waffles
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Supporters of the event and a vendor. Photo: Jessica Waffles
![A merchandise booth with baked goods](https://kxt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/7DSC05930.jpg)
The Ukrainia Culture Club of Dallas set up a booth to raise funds selling baked goods and supportive apparel. Photo: Jessica Waffles
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Slim Gravy performs at the Ukrainian Benefit Concert. Photo: Jessica Waffles
![An LED screen shows a woman holding a sign that says "Democracy Must Prevail"](https://kxt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/9DSC05955.jpg)
Event organizer Jay Gavit compiled a slideshow of images from the Russia-Ukraine War to play during the event. Photo: Jessica Waffles
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Ludmlla Kasyanenko performs at the Ukrainian Benefit Concert. Photo: Jessica Waffles
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Ludmlla Kasyanenko and Anatoliy Matviychuk perform at the Ukrainian Benefit Concert. Photo: Jessica Waffles
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Estacato performs at the Ukrainian Benefit Concert. Photo: Jessica Waffles
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The Veselka Ukrainian Folk Singers of Dallas perform at the Ukrainian Benefit Concert. Photo: Jessica Waffles
![Musicians play folk instruments on stage](https://kxt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/14DSC06067.jpg)
Musicians playing folk instruments during the UkrainianBenefit Concert. A traditional Ukrainian stringed instrument called a bandura was used in the performance, one of which has a significant history that ties to Ukrainian culture preservation. Photo: Jessica Waffles
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The Veselka Ukrainian Folk Singers of Dallas have been playing together for 13 years. Photo: Jessica Waffles
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Cameron Taylor of Secret of Boris at the Ukrainian Benefit Concert. Photo: Jessica Waffles
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Paragraph Taylor of Secret of Boris at the Ukrainian Benefit Concert. Photo: Jessica Waffles
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Paragraph Taylor and Kevin Porter from Secret of Boris perform the Ukrainian Benefit Concert an Amplified. Photo: Jessica Waffles
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Cameron Taylor of Secret of Boris at the Ukrainian Benefit Concert. Photo: Jessica Waffles
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Secret of Boris has a new single coming out soon. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Jessica Waffles is a freelance photographer/videographer and regular contributor to KXT.
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