Guitarist David Laffin on right, with Jeffrey “Little Drummer Boy” Sherban playing the drums.

POUGHKEEPSIE – Nearly a decade ago, now-retired Poughkeepsie High School Teacher David Laffin, an accomplished musician, began weekly music performances at the Shamrock Association social club to benefit veterans’ programming.  The weekly shows went for 11 weeks between Labor Day and Veterans Day to raise money for MHA Dutchess Vet2Vet.

The incredibly successful fundraiser has evolved into the Vet2Vet Project, in its 6th year, based at the Shamrock Association in Poughkeepsie, expanding to include more bands performing at several venues throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley.  The 2026 event kicked off Friday night at the Shamrock, with a performance by David Laffin’s “Grand Peril Trio” at 6:15 pm and Grunge Type Thing at 7:30 pm.  In Ulster County, Tom Kellner’s “Dog Party” performed at RMV Cellars beginning at 6 p.m.

Laffin, who had previously stepped away due to health issues that would have shut down most people, has returned and was inspired by the number of people who showed up to enjoy music and support Vet2Vet.  “I am completely overwhelmed by the generosity and support of the music community in our area. I love playing my guitar more than anything else, and to entertain these folks is just the best.”

“This fundraiser involves local bands passing a bucket to collect money during their performances at local venues,” said former Shamrock President Al Nowak, owner of .  “All money collected will stay locally to help our local veterans through the Nowak continued.  “The Vet2Vet program helps local veterans and is staffed by amazing and dedicated veterans.”
Bands who are interested in participating at their local venue in Dutchess or Ulster Counties, which is the MHA Dutchess Vet2Vet service area, can contact Al Nowak by email at . Please put 2026 VET2VET in the subject line. For weekly performance schedules, and ask him to send you the calendar.
The live music continues throughout the Labor Day weekend, with the following performances:

Saturday, Se[ptember 5, 2026:

 is something to behold. He plays 6-9 at .

will feature a rare appearance by “Juan Night Only,” a Poughkeepsie supergroup featuring , , , and playing from 7:30-10:30.

Sunday, September 6, 2026:

in Lagrange is the site of a performance by from 5:30-Sunset.



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