One St. Albert musician is excited to gather some amazing talents in celebration of song and women with a special event coming up next month. Vida is organizing Music and Verse, a benefit concert to support Edmonton's Women's Shelter.
"I'm hosting my very first annual charity event for WIN House," she announced, revealing that the other performers set for the show include headliners The Command Sisters, along with secondary musical acts Andrea Nixon, Shauna Lynn and Darby MacDonald. They'll be joined by special guests Dani Zyp and Ferra Lategra who will be doing some poetry reading.
"It's a variety show! It's going to be fun!"
Zyp, she added, has a new book that was listed as the number one seller in Edmonton last month.
Vida hopes to raise at least $1,000 for the cause, so she encourages everyone to come with a friend. The venue has a capacity of about 250.
"We'd like to make it as big as possible! It's my very first event and I hope to keep it going so that we can continue to do it annually. It's a big thing for me and I hope it'll be a success."
The live concert is meant to raise awareness and financial support for WIN House. Vida said that, as a non-profit organization, it gets 70 per cent of its funding from the government to do its important work, which includes its three locations. It also gives out food, clothing, hygiene items and other household goods for women and children fleeing abusive relationships, and operates a 24-hour crisis line at 780-479-0058.
Despite the government support, they still need to raise $1 million a year aside from that to continue running their program, Vida continued.
The all-ages show takes place on Sat., April 25 at Big Al's House of Blues, 15004 Yellowhead Trail, inside the Yellowhead Inn. Doors open at 2 p.m. with the show at 3 p.m. Along with the entertainment, the event will have food and prizes, including a raffle and other giveaways.
Admission is by donation at the door. All proceeds go to WIN House. Visit www.winhouse.org for more information.
Pets helping PAWS
The Global Pet Foods chain's ninth annual Show Us Your Heart campaign brought in more than $230,000 with all proceeds going to more than 100 animal shelters and rescue groups across the country.
That total includes nearly $1,350 from the St. Albert location alone, the proceeds of which went to PAWS for Life.
Those funds help cover the costs of veterinary care. The volunteer-run organization uses a network of foster parents to take in homeless pets, with PAWS also funding the costs of shelter for dogs that don't have foster homes.
"Once again our customers have shown the size of their hearts through their donations and support," said Jim Walker, the chain's president, adding that there was a 16 per cent increase in donations over last year.
Global Pet Foods and Natural Balance Pet Foods matched the first dollar of each in-store donation.
