Musicians will band together at a Sidney bar this weekend in an effort to raise money for Ukrainian refugees.
Boondocks Bar & Grill in Sidney will be hosting a Stand With Ukraine benefit concert from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday (March 19).
The all-day benefit concert will feature live performances by The Distractions, Carla Olive, Lust Life, Mike Dalla-Vee, Paradise Street Duo, Helen & Al, and Truman Mason. There will also be a special Ukrainian dance performance by Veselka Dancers as well as a raffle and prizes.
Colin Southwell, one of the event’s organizers and member of The Distractions, said the event aims to raise $10,000 for the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF), which will use the funds to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians in Ukraine and nearby countries.
“The aim of the event is to raise funds for Ukrainian refugees,” he said. “This is about humanitarian aid, not military or anything to do with that. This is all about helping these poor Ukrainian folks who have had to leave their homes in Ukraine.”
Performances will occur on two stages within the venue, one in the pub area and the other in the banquet room of Boondocks.
“It will be a fun music day all day, with the highlight being the Veselka Dancers,” said Southwell.
Entry to the event is by donation.
Southwell said in addition to all of the donations going directly to the CUF, all of the musicians and performers have agreed to donate their time and aren’t being paid to participate.
“A lot of people are putting a lot of effort into this event,” he said.
The Stand With Ukraine benefit concert begins at 2 p.m. March 19 at Boondocks Bar & Grill, located on 9819 Fifth St. in Sidney. For a full list of performers and performance times visit https://thedistractionsband.ca/ukraine/ or click here.
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Nicholas Pescod
