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Newfoundland Artists “Pay it Forward”… Again |
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Benefit Concert in Support of the FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, February 20, 2003, St. John’s, NL... In the true spirit of community support, many of the Province’s finest entertainers are donating their time and talent for a night of entertainment at Mile One Stadium. Over 20 acts, 150 artists, including Crush, The Irish Descendants, Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers, The Masterless Men, Pamela Morgan, Mark Bragg, Ron Hynes, Denis Parker, Billy and the Bruisers, The NSO Youth Choir, Rasa, Shanneygonock, The Punters, Barry Canning, Jackie Sullivan, Gearbox, A Crowd of Bold Sharemen, Colleen Power & Sean Panting, Terry Penny, The Navigators, and hosts to be announced, will all perform at a benefit concert to lift the spirits of the people affected by the Badger flood, and to raise much needed funds to assist in piecing their lives back together. In July 2001 the first "Pay it Forward" benefit raised over $50,000 to help the Red Cross in assisting the 103 residents of apartment building fire on Blackmarsh Road in St. John's. The organizers of this latest benefit, Peter MacKenzie, Russell Bowers, and Con O'Brien, realized that the devastating destruction in Badger would require an even greater response and set about to produce an even larger event than before. "The response has been nothing short of overwhelming", says Mackenzie. "The list of artists on the show speak to that, but the vast number of others who called to volunteer but couldn't be fit into the show, unless it were to be an all-day marathon, tells the full story of the amazing contribution our artists make to their communities. Add to that the support of the City of St. John's, Mile One, Atlantic Audio Visual, and others, and this truly demonstrates the "Pay it Forward" philosophy." Tremendous support has also come from many other directions. "All the media have expressed interest in helping promote the show, which is essential for the success of an event of this size put together in such a short timeframe", added Bowers. “Our goal is that Mile One will be the center around which the entire province can gather. We’d like to see the artists, the general public, media and the corporate community rally together for this cause in a way that would be unprecedented. "Also, we are very pleased to announce that the CBC will broadcast a portion of the event live to all of Newfoundland and Labrador and to the rest of the country on satellite, with appeals for donations from people near and far whose hearts go out to the people of Badger". Proceeds from the concert will be directed to the Canadian Red Cross, Badger Flood Appeal. Red Cross Regional Director Rhonda Kenney says the generosity of the artists is a true act of humanity. “We are very grateful to the artists who are giving freely of their time to help the people of Badger,” says Kenney. “This incredible outpouring of support is yet another example of the tremendous spirit of giving for which the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are so well-known". The end result of all of this support is a three-hour benefit concert on Thursday, March 6th at Mile One Stadium. The concert, titled Pay it Forward 2, begins at 7:30pm with tickets only $20 plus surcharge. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, February 21st at Mile One Stadium or by calling 576-7657 For further
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