Local residents are teaming up to fight back against bullying with a series of benefit concerts to boost student support programs in the face of governments tightening their belts.
On May 31, Scarbelly Creek, This is War, Armifera and West of Hell will hit the Innisfail Hotel Zoo for an 18+ show to raise money for the Family School Wellness Program in the local education system. The following day, Slumland Theatre will host an all-ages show in Red Deer that will include a silent auction, to help add to the impact.
“It'll be a cool weekend,” said Mike Parkin, bar manager at the Zoo, noting the talent on the Innisfail bill will be a diverse rock lineup. “It's going to be three different genres of music, so it's going to be a little something for everyone.”
Having seen the negative effect bullying can have on local youth, Parkin said it was a no-brainer to help put together a concert to take on the problem.
“It makes me annoyed that kids are scared to go to school,” he said. “A child shouldn't be afraid to go to learn because somebody might pick on them.”
Some people are in the dark about the extent of the issue, he added, noting he hopes the show will help change that.
“More awareness needs to be raised,” he said. “The bigger kids are picking on the little kids.”
Innisfail resident Cindy Bacque, charitable events co-ordinator with Slumland Productions, says kids need to feel free to express themselves.
“They should be able to keep their individualities,” she said. “I hope it's a good turnout because it's for a good cause and it will be a great show.”
Armifera will release their CD entitled Eradication at the Zoo show.
Susan Roy, treasurer for Chinook's Edge School Division, says she expects a drop in funding from multiple levels of government for the family school wellness program.
“We're expecting that in the FCSS budgets that we will lose some funding,” Roy said.
The school board doesn't know the full impact of the funding cuts and is thankful for any private donations that roll in.
“It's huge,” she said of the donations, noting it helps administrators provide programming within the school.
Gary Fuson's daughter went to school in Innisfail, but now he lives in Calgary and plays with Scarbelly Creek.
“Just because we have long hair and play rock 'n' roll doesn't mean we won't get behind a good cause,” he said.
The musician says he's excited about the opportunity to tackle a social matter through a fundraiser instead of the more typical disease benefit efforts.
“We like to get on board with things that are a little different than what other people are trying to do,” he said. “If I can do my own way to do my part to keep it a safe town to grow up in, I'd like to.”
Doors open for the May 31 show at 8 p.m. with the concert starting at 10 p.m. Tickets are $4 at the door.
To donate silent auction items for the June 1 show contact Cindy at [email protected].
