'Rock for Recovery' aims to destigmatize addiction with day of music, local resources

Joey Pagano of Monongahela is a recovering drug addict who has been clean and sober since June 1, 2013. And while he knows how hard things used to be, it’s difficult to look back at the past decade with anything but gratitude.

In that time, Pagano has maintained his sobriety, met his future wife while in recovery, and co-authored a book, “No Addict Left Behind,” which published this spring and set him on a path that will lead to speaking engagements in the coming year at the University of London and in Spain.

He is also clinical director for the nonprofit Club Serenity, which will host an all-day event, “Rock for Recovery,” on Aug. 20 at the City Park Amphitheater in Monessen.

“We wanted to create a massive outreach event that’s going to help an area — the Mon Valley — that badly needs it,” said Pagano, 47. “We wanted to embody the themes from my book and ultimately our main goal is to reduce the stigma of addiction in the Mon Valley area.”

Club Serenity was founded in 1992 as an alcohol recovery group. By 2016, it attained nonprofit status and today has its own facility along with several licensed recovery houses. A staff of 10 people operate the organization along with help from volunteers.

At the Rock for Recovery event, Club Serenity will set up a large tent featuring organizations and resources from six Western Pennsylvania counties.

“We wanted to make it large enough to include Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette and Greene counties, and we ended up pulling people and groups from as far away as Indiana County,” Pagano said. “We want to provide a comfortable atmosphere where people can get information and seek help.”

Club Serenity members then decided to fold the informational tent into an all-day music festival.

“We got Scott Blasey from The Clarks who will do an acoustic set, we have the jam-band Habatat from the Greensburg area, and we have (Pittsburgh rapper) Colicchie, who is also a recovering addict and will perform,” Pagano said.

In addition, comedian and recovering addict Mike Zydel will perform a half-hour stand-up set. Zydel released his first special, “Before I Got Sober,” in 2022 on YouTube.

“We’re fully behind the work this charity is doing,” said Ryan Woods, 30, of Ligonier, guitarist and lyricist for funk band Habatat. “A lot of our band members are from places like Johnstown and Greensburg, where people have struggled with addiction. Our drummer Justin grew up in McKeesport where it has been a big problem. So any way that we can promote recovery is great.”

Throughout the day, speakers from across the addiction recovery spectrum will take the stage briefly, including Pagano.

“We’ll do short little speeches, but the day is geared toward music,” Pagano said. The event will be rounded out with food trucks, children’s activities and an interactive drum circle.

“Rock for Recovery” will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Monessen City Park Amphitheater, off of City Park Road. Tickets are available online or at the festival for a suggested donation of $10.

“No one’s going to be turned away, though,” Pagano said. “We want to continue our mission of helping people.”

Pagano said it’s sometimes hard to believe he’s come so far over the past decade, and he hopes it can help inspire others.

“It’s almost like a dream sometimes,” he said. “I’m about to finish my doctorate degree in social work. I continue to want to serve others, things keep getting better, and doors just keep opening.”

Tickets to “Rock for Recovery” can be purchased online at Eventbrite.com — enter “rock for recovery monessen” in the search box.