What if you had to raise funds for your school? Would you sell cookies or host a bake sale? Would you sell wrapping paper?

One school in Ballard is hosting a concert benefit to raise funds for the their school, and the line up has attracted some big music names from the region.

The 15th annual Rock for Friends Of Salmon Bay is a fundraiser for Salmon Bay K-8 School and is set for November 20 at the Sunset Tavern. The concert is one of three fundraising events held every year to raise vital funds for the school.

This year there are three local Seattle bands playing the event: Trip Wires, Stereo Embers and ACME Band. Each band performing has ties to the school by being a parent or relative of a Salmon Bay student. Band members make up over 30 years of playing in local bands and continue to play in well respect Seattle groups.

“We have some pretty talented parents, and it’s so amazing that they get to have this crazy show,” said Kim Laton, a FOSB board member and organizer for the event. Laton also has a daughter enrolled at Salmon Bay.

“What is unique is that not only does Salmon Bay have very talented and awesome students, but we also have some extreme talent in our parent community.”

Dan Peters, from Mud Honey plays drums for the Trip Wires. Readers may remember Mud Honey as a core band in the flannel-laden grunge scene of the 90s. Peters has two children enrolled at Salmon Bay Elementary. He said he has been performing at the event for a few years now, but this is the first year a real band he’s in is playing.

“It’s always a good time, and if the event goes well it’s a great way to raise funds for the school and a great way to hang with fellow parents and enjoy a good night out,” said Peters.

Peter’s lives near the school and said that what drew him and his wife to enroll their children in the school was not only proximity but also the alternative learning style they offer.

The curriculum at Salmon Bay K-8 School follows the Montessori School or “project-based” model, which gives more room in flexibility for students when it comes to schedules and learning. For instance, if the instructor feels the students have not fully comprehended a lesson, then they delay moving on to the next class session to recapitulate the lesson.

“We have breathing room and a little more leniency to teach the kids. Project-based learning is a little bit different than what public schools follow.”

Salmon Bay also offers more time for arts and music programs. Physical education class is also four days a week.

“If we didn’t have these fundraisers we wouldn’t have what we have, and we really want to keep this event going and showcase the school and what we do.”

Rock for Friends Of Salmon Bay is an age 21 and over event. More information can be found at sunsettavern.com.