Africa cries for help, we rock out!

Recent charity rock concert — a resounding success

Morgan Modjeski, staff

On March 6, a lineup of local solo artists and bands played the Park Theatre for charity. Proceeds went to Reaching Across Borders (RAC), a charity that works to provide undernourished people in Africa with food, clean water and shelter. The lineup consisted of two local artists and three bands, while two of the bands were local the other was international (Canada and the United States).

Local artist, Samantha Howden, made her debut at the Park Theatre, performing an impressive set that was a combination of original acoustic guitar and heavy poetry; she captured the audience.

Frequency, a local band from Winnipeg (which helped make the event possible) also put on an impressive show, with a striking display of synchronization between instruments and vocals.

Fade to Fiction, another local band (playing Winnipeg venues for the last two years), had a solid set that had most of the crowd moving. The sound of this band was a solid example of modern alternative rock, with an impressive use of vocals and harmony.

Fade to Fiction’s lead guitarist, Kevin Hogg, made it very clear that doing something for charity was more important than making a bit of cash. Hogg said, “It doesn’t even matter if the bands aren’t getting paid, as long as it’s for charity.”

Andrew Mitchell, another performing solo artist, showed the Park Theatre what one person can do with a mean set of vocals and an electric guitar.

The last band of the night was Ghosts on TV — another alternative rock band that filled the room with a huge sound, making the combination of three complex guitar riffs, heavy drums and a solid bass line look easy.

In the end, the concert raised over $700 for RAC, and all the bands involved said that they had no problem sacrificing a bit of cash to help a good cause.

Janelle Plamondon, organizer of the event and Frequency band member, said that she was “totally surprised at the turnout.” She went on to say, “There is not enough selflessness in North America.”

In the end, the concert was a total success, and this charity event was one of the better ones that I have attended in the city.