This Sunday, April 10, Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge (FOTA) and Baton Rouge Music Studios (BRMS) present Mutts & Music.

The event will showcase the adorable, adoptable dogs and puppies available from FOTA. Four fabulous bands will perform—Graphite or Grease, Cover Letter, Biscuits and Gravy and the Atkinson Family Band—and the afternoon’s activities include a raffle and refreshments.

The performing bands are part of the talented stable of junior high and high school students who participate in a variety of BRMS programs geared to teach life skills as well a jazz, blues, pop and rock-and-roll musicianship, production and band management.

Advanced students have performed at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Baton Rouge Blues Festival, Lafayette’s Festival International de Louisiane and Memphis’ International Blues Challenge.

“This fun afternoon provides an opportunity to hear some great music, learn about FOTA and meet adoptable dogs,” FOTA founder Paula Schoen says.

The inspiration for the collaboration of a Highland Road dog rescue and Baton Rouge’s School of Rock was—in a word—Millie.

In 2011, Schoen rescued Millie, a black and white terrier, from the local animal shelter. At a FOTA adoption event on the Old State Capitol grounds, BRMS founders Doug and Courtney Gay met Millie on their way to set up for their bands’ Fest For All performances.

And, the rest is part of Baton Rouge rock ‘n’ roll history. Just as Nipper the terrier and the gramophone became the mark on the old RCA label, Millie has become this music academy’s mascot and chief kid-friendly canine greeter.

“It was a very natural partnership for us,” BRMS Operations Manager Carolyn Ray says. “We look forward to supporting this wonderful local nonprofit with the help of our student musicians and helping find these sweet creatures good homes.”

Mutts & Music is free and open to the public. The event takes place from 4-6 p.m. at Baton Rouge Music Studios, 9327 Burbank Drive. For more information, visit brmusicstudios.com or fotabr.org.

Creature feature

Among the cuddly canines who might come to the event are:

Ellen and her six siblings are all healthy and well socialized with dogs and people. This retriever/hound mix weighs 17 pounds, so owners should be prepared for a large puppy-on-the-grow. Contact Ellen’s foster at 620-6018 for info.

Odom is an 8-month-old, 30-pound Labrador mix. Odom has a glossy black coat with a single spot of white on his chest. Odom gets along well with other large dogs and has only a passing interest in cats. Odom is housetrained, crates easily and settles quickly overnight.

Chee Chee is a 5-year-old bundle of love and affection who weighs almost 8 pounds. This clever and inquisitive dog enjoys taking brisk walks as well as being held, cuddled and carried. Chee Chee is on good terms with both the resident dogs and humans at her new foster home. Text 281-4638 for info.

Kasha is a 2-year-old mix terrier/border collie mix. Affectionate but not clingy, the athletic Kasha could be a willing running partner or a companion for neighborhood stroll. But, she also enjoys lazy days and snuggling. Contact her foster at [email protected] for info.

Herman is a handsome hunk of hound with beautiful eyes and a winning disposition.

Courtney is an 8-month-old, 34-pound hound/retriever mix. Alert and inquisitive but not overly active, Courtney gets along well with cats and other dogs. She seeks out her crate at bedtime and is still and calm till morning. For more information on this friendly dog, call or text to 205-9330.

All these pets have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, heartworm-tested and microchipped. Many other adoptable dogs and puppies are available through Friends of the Animals.