On Jan. 5, 43-year-old Tony Faria died in front of his girlfriend Meredith Marin as a result of a tragic accidental shooting.


Faria was a well-loved server at Casanova who was originally from Hawaii. He considered his young son his greatest accomplishment and volunteered at nonprofit Loaves, Fishes and Computers in Marina. He was also in school studing computer science and heading toward sanctifying his serious relationship with Marin.


“Part of me wants to get in car and run, and the other part needs to be around loved ones,” Marin says. “I have amazing friends, family and Tony’s family understanding that I’m going through post-traumatic stress disorder and it’s going to be a long process.”


Marin has started going to therapy to begin healing, but there’s been an additional struggle lingering as a result of the incident: financial strain.


“Dying in an accident the way Tony did hasn’t been cheap,” Marin says. “Money is one thing we shouldn’t have to worry about with everything else.”


Back on Feb. 2, the Thrasher Fundraiser, featuring the music of Praetorian, Drunk with Power, Psychos In Love and ANGERHEAD, brought window-shattering music and a full house to Jose’s Underground Lounge to say goodbye and raise money for the funeral.


“Tony was definitely in the room,” she says. “Really loud music is exactly the kind of send-off he would’ve wanted.”


The community’s generosity doesn’t stop there: On Saturday, at American Legion Post 512 in Carmel, the Mardi Gras Montage – a hodgepodge of Beso Negro, The Tomb Weavers, fire dancers, belly dancers, Sin Sisters Burlesque and Cat’s Meow Fashion – will help Faria’s loved ones get more assistance. 


Beso Negro serves up a mouthwatering, reconstructed basement-dark variety of gypsy swing. “Burn it Down” is seven minutes of Eastern European bliss that sounds like it was swiped from a film by Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet.


The Tomb Weavers – an all-star cast starring Vinyl Rev’s Bob Gamber on drums, Keigan Skydecker on bass and the elusive Tom B. Weaver on vocals and guitar – live in another dimension where the radio is always tuned to Blue Cheer and The Golden Dawn. Molded from swampy, tube-amp distortion and chunky feedback, their throwback blotter boogie, fittingly, has a unifying effect.


“These benefit shows are allowing us reprieve from the money stress so we can grieve,” Marin says. “I will never be able to thank everybody enough.”


Faria’s family is also grateful: A large portion of the proceeds is going into a trust for Faria’s 7-year-old son, Jimmy.


“Tony died totally loved and had [lots] to look forward to,” Marin says. “That’s the silver lining. Tony went out on a big high. He was in a great place and really happy. I’m so glad I got to have him in my life.” 


MARDI GRAS MONTAGE happens at 7pm Saturday, Feb. 23, at American Legion Post 512, Eighth and Dolores, Carmel. $20. 917-0068.