Dressy Bessy Brings Their Timeless Charm to Betty Boop's Birthday Bash for a Cause
Ahead of Dressy Bessy's performance at Betty Boop's Birthday Bash for a Cause, lead guitarist John McDowell Hill discusses the band's enduring spirit, the power of community, and the joyful mission behind one of this summer's most unique charity events.
As benefit concerts go, Betty Boop's Birthday Bash for a Cause is anything but ordinary. On Saturday, August 8, the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale, California, will transform into a celebration where indie music, classic animation, comedy, and community come together for an evening that is as joyful as it is meaningful.
Headlined by Dressy Bessy, with Kate Micucci hosting, a special DJ set from Allison Wolfe of Bratmobile, performances by the legendary Bob Baker Marionette Theater, and a curated showcase of classic and independent animation, the one-night event supports The Birthday Party Project, which brings birthday celebrations to children experiencing homelessness, and Saturday Morning Cartoons United™, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating the legacy of animation while strengthening communities through shared cultural experiences.
Few bands feel more at home in a celebration built around warmth, imagination, and timeless charm than Dressy Bessy. For more than two decades, the Denver indie-pop favorites have carved out their own path, earning generations of devoted fans with infectious melodies, an unwavering DIY spirit, and music that has always chosen authenticity over trends.
Ahead of the celebration, we caught up with John Hill, guitarist for Dressy Bessy, to talk about what drew the band to this unique event, why joy can be one of the most powerful things music has to offer, and the simple philosophy that has guided Dressy Bessy from the very beginning: creating a momentary escape into a better place.
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Eugenia Roditis, Musicngear: Benefit concerts happen every year, yet Betty Boop’s Birthday Bash feels unlike almost anything else: a celebration where live music, classic animation, comedy, and community all share the same stage. What was it about this event that made you want to be part of it?
We just love Betty Boop! Tammy and I both have really loved her character since we were kids. And then we heard it was a benefit for such a great cause, and it’s being held at The Alex Theatre.
We were really excited before even hearing that Kate Micucci was involved, then Allison Wolfe, the Bob Baker Marionettes, and on and on. Caro Buermann deserves heaps of credit for making this happen and has done a fantastic job of organizing the show.
Musicngear: Dressy Bessy’s music has always carried a timeless quality without simply chasing nostalgia. Betty Boop is another cultural icon who has survived generation after generation. Why do you think certain music and characters continue to resonate long after trends disappear?
I hadn’t really thought about it in that way. While we would never pretend we have had the reach of Betty Boop, our band does have a way of drawing in fans of all ages and Betty is obviously as endearing to very young kids as to their great-grandparents.
We do share the ability to draw in the whole family. I think that both the character and our band weren’t based on trends and continued throughout the years in our own unique lanes without really trying to fit into current trends. Betty and our own Tammy are both so cute; that doesn’t hurt.
Musicngear: The event supports children experiencing homelessness through The Birthday Party Project, a reminder that something as ordinary as a birthday can become extraordinary under difficult circumstances. Has there ever been a moment in your own career when you truly realized how much joy a band can create beyond the music itself?
We’ve had a number of special moments over the years where our music and our presence have obviously touched people in a very heartfelt way.
We’ve been doing this so long that we have many, many fans that we’ve seen them from childhood to parenthood and now they are bringing their children to the show. It’s really touching to see this happen over the years, and some of our fans have become our dearest friends.
All of us involved in the show definitely have one thing in common: our mutual love of having fun, laughing with you and laughing at ourselves
Musicngear: One of the most exciting things about this event is that it throws together artists from completely different creative worlds. Do you find that the most memorable artistic experiences often happen when disciplines collide rather than stay in their own lanes?
When we plan our own shows, we do like to blend genres of bands and find that it works very well. We’ve not been involved in a variety show like this specifically, but just like blending musical genres, bringing together people through all these varied disciplines, it can and will be really special.
All of us involved in the show definitely have one thing in common: our mutual love of having fun, laughing with you and laughing at ourselves. We’re all artists, but also unapologetically entertainers as well.
Musicngear: Dressy Bessy has outlived scenes, trends, and countless “next big things”. Looking back now, what do you hope people have actually taken away from the band over all these years that maybe isn’t obvious from simply listening to the records?
As I said before, we never set out to follow a trend. Our band isn’t contrived but rather just an expression of who we are.
We don’t pretend that we are creating a seismic shift in The World, but we do hope to create a momentary escape into a better place. We also look to carry you along for a fun-filled ride and then drop you off on the other side with a little better perspective. If you walk away with a little chuckle and a smile, we’ve done it right.
What we do could be considered somewhat simplistic. If that turns into a criticism, you probably don’t understand what we’re trying to do.
I think you could easily animate Tammy from Dressy Bessy and Kate Micucci and send them into Betty Boop’s world to create a dynamic triplet of cheeky adorability
Musicngear: Betty Boop has remained recognizable for nearly a century despite countless changes in popular culture. If Dressy Bessy were distilled into a single visual symbol that could survive the next hundred years the way Betty has, what would it be and why?
Well, I think you could easily animate Tammy from Dressy Bessy and Kate Micucci and send them into Betty Boop’s world to create a dynamic triplet of cheeky adorability.
If Dressy Bessy has a similar endurance to Betty Boop, it will be in the image and the character of Tammy. She’s cute, she’s tough, she’s excitable, and she’ll excite you. She’s Betty Boop’s tough and punky sister that you want to meet but might be a little scared to make the approach. You should definitely approach her; you won’t regret it.
Musicngear: Imagine someone walks into Betty Boop’s Birthday Bash never having heard Dressy Bessy before. When they leave that night, what do you hope they’ll remember, not just about the band, but about why events like this matter?
Just like doing our multi-genre shows, we know that people have the innate ability to open their minds to a wide variety of different things.
We hope that we can play a small part in creating the whole experience and certainly hope that we all can help create a singular and unique moment in time that people will remember.
We’re sincerely honored to share the stage with everyone involved.
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Event Information
Betty Boop's Birthday Bash for a Cause
Saturday, August 8, 2026
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Doors: 5:30 p.m. | Program: 6:30 p.m.
Alex Theatre
216 N. Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203
Tickets: https://thealex.evnsong.com/events/boop-s-birthday-bash-for-a-cause-tickets.html
Complimentary Betty Boop Birthday Party Pack RSVP: https://www.cartoonsunited.com/rsvp
Proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales support The Birthday Party Project and Saturday Morning Cartoons United™, helping create joyful experiences for children and celebrating the legacy of animation.
About Eugenia Roditis
Eugenia's passion for music was ignited from an early age as she grew up in a family of musicians. She loves attending concerts and festivals, while constantly seeking fresh and exciting new artists across diverse genres. Eugenia joined the MusicnGear team in 2012.
Contact Eugenia Roditis at eugenia.roditis@kinkl.com
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