Three years after organizing a fundraising concert for Nanaimo’s Haven Society, Russ Der and his band the Doctors of Rock ‘n Roll are back and this time the Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank is the target of their altruism.
“They’re a very very prominent charity in town. They do a lot of work, They really help a lot of families,” Der said of the food bank, adding that his group felt the need to lend a hand because “we’re real proponents of helping the community.”
The fundraiser, called October Musical Showcase, takes place at the MGM Restaurant on Saturday (Oct. 28). Besides the Doctors of Rock ‘n Roll - Der, guitarist Doug Nuyts, bassist Paul Bourke and drummer Keith Cyr - the concert will feature other MGM regulars Mark Galavan, Ries Vink and Marty Steele. The show will also feature Paul Bourke’s daughter Emily, and Grade 7 student Maya Harbo on the violin.
“Maya is very well known around town because she’s done a lot of fundraising for different causes,” Der said.
“I remember one of the things that she did was she busked and the money that she made went toward a teacher in financial difficulty. She’s a very unbelievable kid at Grade 7 with a real humanitarian knack.”
Der said the food bank was enthused when he put forth his idea. He even asked if there were any musicians at the food bank who wanted to join in the performance or sit in with the band. Unfortunately there won’t be any food bank members onstage, but Der said they will be helping with other areas of the evening’s proceedings, like ticket sales.
WHAT’S ON…October Musical Showcase, a fundraiser for the Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank at MGM Restaurant on Saturday (Oct. 28) from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets $10. Non-perishable food items would be appreciated.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter