A stalwart of Canadian rock and pop will renew a long-standing tradition when he plays SidneyB次元官网网址檚 Mary Winspear Centre for three straight nights Nov. 16 to 18 to help raise funds for Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank.
Barney Bentall and the Cariboo Express arrive in Sidney during a period of economic uncertainty and with it a growing demand for the services of the food bank. B次元官网网址淲e are dealing with inflation, we are dealing with higher interest rates, all these things,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淧eople are living pretty close to the margins as it is.B次元官网网址�
By his own account, BentallB次元官网网址檚 performance on behalf of the foodbank is his 14th, a relationship that has raised more than $300,000 over the years.
This figure alone points to the significance of the coming fundraising shows for the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank. B次元官网网址淭hey are very important,B次元官网网址� said Bev Elder, executive director. B次元官网网址淭his is our biggest fundraiser of the year and last year, we raised $67,000 over three nights. Right now, the ticket sales are going very well. Our Friday is sold out and Thursday and Wednesday are looking very good for ticket sales. But the big deal for us is getting songs-sponsorship.B次元官网网址�
On the surface, it means that the band will mention the sponsor of a song before playing it. B次元官网网址淏ut they usually do it with a comic twist,B次元官网网址� said Elder. B次元官网网址淭hey make it a lot of fun. So they will say things like, B次元官网网址極h, if you are travelling down the Malahat and you have had a heck drive, the kids are crying, stop at the Best Western and have a good nightB次元官网网址檚 rest,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hey try to tie it all together.B次元官网网址�
The fundraising shows (which also include a silent auction, 50-50 draw and meat draw each night) could not be more necessary.
B次元官网网址淲e definitely see a rise in people asking for assistance for Christmas,B次元官网网址� she said. Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank handed out just over 300 Christmas hampers last year. B次元官网网址淎nd we are expecting 400 this year,B次元官网网址� she added.
The history of BentallB次元官网网址檚 involvement with the food bank dates back to his involvement with Leslie Gentile of Brentwood BayB次元官网网址檚 Music in the Park. B次元官网网址淭hey promoted the first one and then we just looked for a charity. We knew the foodbank there in Sidney needed lots of help as they do to this day and it just went from there. Bev (Elder), who runs the food bank in Sidney, is just so great in helping to promote the show,B次元官网网址� Bentall said.
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It features not only Bentall, but also a long list of other musicians with deep connections to the Canadian music scene and Bentall himself, including his son Dustin Bentall and his band The Blue Wranglers, as well daughter Jess Niedermayer and her band Wild Honey. B次元官网网址淪o it is lovely to have them there,B次元官网网址� said Bentall. B次元官网网址淚 also have a few grandchildren in tow.B次元官网网址�
Other performers include Ridley Bent, Matt Masters and Wendy Bird. The presence of Geoff Kelly also means that audiences will hear some Spirit of the West material. B次元官网网址淪o we try to change certain things up, but there is also some comfort (in the familiar), B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淩idley Bent has this song Suicidewinder Saloon and it is just a highlight,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e are never not going to play that.B次元官网网址�
BentallB次元官网网址檚 involvement with Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank is not the only one of its kind. He has also helped raise funds for Classroom Champions connecting Olympians and Paralympians to school children and the Potluck Cafe Society helping people in VancouverB次元官网网址檚 Downtown Eastside.
Bentall is currently touring through western Canada and his coming residency in Sidney for three nights represents a rare luxury. So where does he find his local zen?
B次元官网网址淚 always like having a breakfast or two at the Third Street Cafe, B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 always bring my bicycle and go riding. We are kind of used to doing a show, packing up and then moving to the next town.B次元官网网址�
For more information, see splfoodbank.com/barney-bentall-the-cariboo-express.
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