Anchor Tsunami Benefit
Anchor benefit concert raises $2,268
LITTLE CURRENT--Bands, fans and the simply curious came from all across Manitoulin Island and beyond to partake in a Tsunami Benefit Concert at the Anchor Inn Hotel.
"Saturday was a very busy day at the Hotel" said owner operator Bruce O'Hare. "Probably the busiest January day ever in the 115-year history of the Anchor."
The result was a $2,260 donation that went directly to the Canadian Red Cross Tsunami relief efforts--$1,460 collected at the door and a further infusion of $800, which came from the hotel owners themselves, representing roughly 20 percent of the sales at the restaurant and bar during the day-long event. There was a further $75 in donations collected in cheques from downtown businesses--made out directly to the Red Cross--sitting in MC Dave Southwood's pocket as he arrived for the event.
Ten bands provided the music for the event, ranging clear across the musical spectrum of the Island, from country to rock and beyond.
"This was fantastic," said Rockville Road guitarist Peter Nelson. "We don't often get a chance to see other musicians pay. Where else could you see 10 Island bands all together in one place? There is a lot of talent out there and you could see it here tonight!"
That sentiment was to be heard from many of the musicians--a good number of whom could be found taking in the performances of other bands.
In a news release, the organizers of the concert said they gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Beacon Images for the banner that the company supplied, The Manitoulin Expositor for assisting with publicizing the event, CFRM radio for the live broadcast of the show, The Manitoulin Wild for providing personnel to take donations, Mike and Linda Erskine for overseeing and helping to man the donation table, Dave Southwood for his energy and enthusiasm in producing the show and, especially, up-and-coming musical stars 'Tyme Well Wasted' for the use of their band's equipment and sound system through the day.
The bar of the Anchor Inn Hotel was filled to capacity through most of the day and evening, with the early crowd imbibing primarily tea and coffee while they enjoyed the offerings of a number of Island country bands, while the evening patrons sampled more traditional bar fare as the music escalated from honky tonk right into full-blown rock.
Many of those unable to attend the entire day's events caught the show on CFRM 101.1 radio, either over the airwaves or through the Internet.
The music lovers who attended the event were generous with their praise of Manitoulin music and with the depth of their pocketbooks.
"Clearly the people of Manitoulin Island wanted to help the relief efforts in Southeast Asia," said Mr. Southwood, the event's producer. "This benefit concert provided that opportunity."