Musicians Join Forces for International Benefit Concert for the Homeless in Guelph

GUELPH, ON – Local businesswoman and lead singer of a New York City rock band join forces to warm the hearts and hands of the homeless this winter with a benefit concert geared to deliver warm blankets to those living on the streets and in shelters in time for Christmas.

Canada’s first official Blank-Fest Benefit Concert for the Homeless will be hosted at Guelph’s Salsateria Bar & Restaurant on Saturday, December 8th, 2007. The benefit concert will showcase a variety of rock bands from across Canada who will play at 30-minute intervals from 4 p.m. until closing. The price of admission is always one blanket, which will be distributed to the homeless for the cold winter months ahead.

Gaynor Fletcher, business owner and part time teacher, has photographed the homeless in several major cities over many years, and came across an online press release about the upcoming 10-year anniversary of Blank-Fest in New York City. Fletcher contacted Founder Kenn Rowell, lead singer of the NYC based band The Baghdaddios, who jumped on board immediately.

“We want to provide warmth and comfort to those less fortunate, raise awareness about our homeless and send a message that we really do care about those living on the streets or in homeless shelters,” said Fletcher. “We are all just a pay-check, illness or tragedy away from being homeless. They are just people like us, without homes.”

Blank-Fest Canada is a recent spin-off from the Blank-Fest Benefit Concert series in New York City, which will be celebrating its 10th anniversary December 16th, 2007. Founded by NYC indie rock veteran Rowell in 1997, Blank-Fest has raised over 3,200 total donations that have been distributed to NYC and the surrounding area's less fortunate; inspiring more recent efforts in Austin, TX in the States, Nottingham, UK and now Guelph, Canada.

Rowell, who’s band played North By Northeast to an enthusiastic Toronto audience in 2006, says he is looking forward to coming to Canada and sharing his message of hope and positive community activism with the Canadian people. "I have been working with Ms. Fletcher on this for the past several weeks and all of us here in New York are excited to welcome our Canadian friends into the Blank-Fest fold. We have a lot of friends in your country, I can hardly wait."

This year’s NYC event will feature over 20 music acts of varying styles from amongst the rank and file of NY-based and national touring bands, including featured act Bobby Steele of the legendary punk rock pioneers, Lach; who invented the Anti-Folk genre, and Misfits. Rowell's Manhattan-based group, The Baghdaddios, will serve as the function's host. Among the many named artists who have appeared at past Blank-Fest shows are: Patti Rothberg (EMI), Buddy Cage (Grateful Dead), Marc Rizzo (Soulfly) and Meg Griffin (Sirius Radio). Also included are Hudson Valley local favourites such as international touring artists Joe D'Urso and Stone Caravan, as well as newcomers Fallen Innocence.

For more information, and for bands or volunteers interested in participating in this or next year’s event, contact Fletcher in Guelph at 519-837-1122 or contact Rowell in NYC at 917-647-4226. For website information visit www.blankfest.com. (www.blankfestcanada.com is under development).

Blank-Fest Canada is a recent spin-off from the Blank-Fest Benefit Concert series in New York City, which will be celebrating its 10th anniversary December 16th, 2007. Founded by NYC indie rock veteran Rowell in 1997, Blank-Fest has raised over 3,200 total donations that have been distributed to NYC and the surrounding area's less fortunate; inspiring more recent efforts in Austin, TX in the States, Nottingham, UK and now Guelph, Canada.

This release was published on openPR.