PREVIEW
New Year’s Eve Benefit Concert
Dec. 31 from 6:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
McDougall United Church
10086 MacDonald Dr., Edmonton
Admission: Free. Donations to Edmonton Food Bank gratefully accepted
New Year’s Eve is a time to kiss the old goodbye and ring in the new. Although parties are going full-throttle, for many it’s still a time of caring and compassion.
Some of the region’s most popular musicians volunteer their talents for the New Year’s Eve Benefit Concert at Edmonton’s McDougall United Church. All proceeds are directed to Edmonton Food Bank.
Now in its 11th edition, St. Albert’s Penny Malmberg from Back Porch Swing has organized this free event hosting an ever-changing roster of top-tier musicians.
Topping the list are Back Porch Swing, Audrey Ochoa, Dana Wylie, Braden Gates, The Spaniard, The Edmonton City Fiddlers and The Misery Mountain Boys.
“I’m so happy it’s grown. Some musicians start emailing me in June to see if they can perform,” said Malmberg who has tapped into the local music scene for more than two decades.
“Every local band I know has contributed – Maria Dunn, Bill Bourne, Travis Matthews. They play for next to nothing when they could be playing at a venue making lots of money. But they do this to help the food bank.”
Malmberg estimates the 2018 concert raised $5,000 and “tons of food.”
“The other thing that drives me is that it’s fun, and there’s no cost. If you live downtown and can’t afford a concert, or if you just want to come in from the cold, you can drop by and enjoy the music and warmth.”
The Edmonton City Fiddlers, a group of eight to 10 student fiddlers from 14 to 17 years led by former St. Albert resident Ron Olstad, kick off the music at 6:45 p.m.
“They’re awesome, and they play all styles of music.”
At 7:30 p.m., David Jay, a.k.a. The Spaniard, pulls out his acoustic guitar for an instrumental set of flamenco rhythms.
Audrey Ochoa, a dynamic presence on the national jazz scene and favourite at Yardbird Suite, adds yet another dimension with her trio at 8 p.m.
“She’s a female trombone extraordinaire. I can’t come up with words for her. She’s amazing and she leads the band – something you don’t see every day.”
Back Porch Swing steps under the spotlight at 8:30 p.m. extolling their unique mix of old-time swing, folk, bluegrass and jazz.
“Lately we’ve been flying by the seat of our pants. We’ve been playing together for 17 years so we’ll perform something out of our 300 songs,” laughs Malmberg.
Changing it up at 9 p.m. is multi-genre singer-songwriter Dana Wylie.
“She’s a long-time songwriter and she sings like a bird. She plays piano and guitar and she plays everything from roots, jazz and blues.”
Guitarist-fiddler and singer-songwriter Braden Gates pairs up with flautist Anh Phung for a tribute to folk music at 9:30 p.m.
Closing the evening is the bootie shakin’ Misery Mountain Boys delivering a sonic experience of driving swing, velvety jazz and energetic boogie sounds.
“All are local bands from Edmonton and they’re super fun as they play a crazy array of music.
While the concert takes place upstairs, the church basement is turned into a children’s area with free games, crafts, face painting and a Puppet Palooza show at 8 pm.
“It’s the best variety show in town. It’s enchanting and peaceful and a great way to close out the year. Together we can make a difference and help out the food bank while we have a great family time.”
No charge, however food bank donations are welcome.
