Authored By chloe.morrison

Uncle Larry’s Restaurant and Southside Social are teaming up to raise money for the Tyner Academy band, which is short on instruments and uniforms.

“Our goal is to march a bigger number [of students] than what we’ve marched in previous years,” Tyner Academy Director of Bands Myron Smith said.

This is the time of year when students sign up to be in the marching band next year. Smith is projecting there will be at least 60 who want to participate, but he only has 50 uniforms available. There aren’t enough instruments to accommodate all those students, either, he said.

Smith is hoping to ultimately raise $10,000 for new uniforms and instruments for middle and high school band students.

About a month ago, Smith sent out letters to community members seeking fundraising opportunities.

That’s when Larry Torrence, owner of Martin Luther King Boulevard business Uncle Larry’s, said he and Southside Social owner John Wise decided to join forces and host a fish fry to raise money for the band.

If you go What: Tyner Academy band fish fry When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 2-6 p.m. Where: Southside Social, 1818 Chestnut St. How much: The cover charge for adults is $5. Children can jump for an hour at The Jump Park for $5, which is a discount. For $1 extra, attendees get a bowling game.

“It’s for a good cause and I was willing to be a part of it,” Torrence said.

Southside Social recently had bad publicity after a social media post explained the business’ dress code, which Wise said was aimed at keeping out gang members.

And although Wise said some people might think this fundraiser is an effort to generate positive publicity, he said it isn’t. He said he had been wanting to team up with Uncle Larry’s long before that.

Torrence also said this event was in the works before the dress code drama and that he wouldn’t be a part of pandering.

“I wouldn’t be [used as] a tool for that,” he said.

At Sunday’s event, the band will show off some of their skills, attendees will get to taste Uncle Larry’s special fish recipe, and children can get discounts for The Jump Park, which is next door to Southside Social.

All the proceeds will go to the band.

This is Smith’s first year as band director. Last year, there was controversy surrounding the school’s former band director, who was investigated for insubordination and is no longer with the school system.

“It put a blemish on the band’s name, and this year is about rebuilding,” Smith said.

Torrence also said he hopes he and Wise can make these kinds of fundraisers more regular.

“Hopefully, I can set up down there on a permanent basis,” he said. “We’re trying to help minority schools and bring [people] together as a diverse community.”