A night of rock and blues music at the Queen's will support a local non-profit organization in the lead-up to Christmas.
Michael Patrick organized seven bands including his own, Blues Explosion, to perform at the concert Friday, Dec. 13, to raise money for the Nanaimo Association for Community Living.
“It’s going to be a really good night, really good bands,” Patrick said.
The show will include covers and original music in multiple genres including rhythm and blues, blues and classic rock.
Jeanette McGonigle and Woodstick will play Celtic-inspired music, Jared Popma and Sarah Terlesky are a duo who perform original songs, Mike Mallon and the South Island Rythm Kings will play rhythm and blues, Thor and the Thundercats are a rock-blues band; Mark Crissinger Band will play rhythm and blues; Michael Patrick’s Blues Explosion will play blues and original songs and Sunset Strip will play classic rock covers.
Patrick said the concert last year raised a few thousand dollars. With the exception of about six years, he has organized a Christmas benefit concert each year since 1987.
“I have done about 33 of them. I have been doing it for a long time. We used to do it for the Salvation Army and the food bank and then we did it for the women's shelter the last few years so this year we decided to do it for this organization,” he said.
NACL is a non-profit society dedicated to supporting people with developmental disabilities. Patrick said he likes to raise funds for organizations that rely heavily on private donations.
The concert will be on Dec. 13 at the Queen's Hotel, starting at 5 p.m. For tickets, visit www.showpass.com/michaelpatrick.
