Mon. March 22

Dennis Hopper is in the middle of a divorce from wife No. 5 and battling prostate cancer. He was a heavy cocaine user and drinker for some years. We remember an appearance on "Letterman" (in the '90s) where he discusssed his recovery. Letterman asked him about an eight-ball a day, case of beer plus whiskey regimen and why he stopped? "It stopped working," was Hopper's response. Now, recovery's a whole lot different and more difficult for most folks, maybe Hopper, too. But we liked the simplicity of it. It worked (or convinced him it did) until it didn't. And he stopped. Which brings us to the latest benefit for Right Turn, the Arlington-based outpatient substance abuse recovery program helmed by former Del Fuegos drummer Woody Giessmann. Woody's been down the twisted path, emerged with counseling degrees, this organization and a sincere desire to help Boston rockers and artists banish their demons. (He's gone on tour and helped some big-name guys too.) On Monday March 22, Right Turn goes out to dinner at Jasper White's from 6:30-9:30 and would like you to come along, plunk down $100 (Yes, it's a benefit) and enjoy the seafood, the comedy of Tony V and the blues-rock of James Montgomery and Woody's band. Alcoholism and drug abuse, of course, cuts across all stratas of society. That we know. But we also know it strikes musicians and artists - those folks who want to ante up their creativity - in what we'd have to say are disproportionate amounts. Not sure exactly how the cause and effect equation works, but rock 'n' roll recovery is a path for a lot of rockers who (are lucky enough to be) approaching middle-aged. Woody wouldn't mind getting the attention of some of those folks before that point, before destructioon or death ruins it all. You can lend a supportive voice and a few bucks at Jasper's.  The event sold out last year and raised $8000.

149 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambrdige, 781-646-3800 (Right Turn offices) www.summershackrestaurant.com You can also purchase tix at
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/100621 www.rightturn.org