In the words of local musician Jamie Clarke, Hospice Huntsville “…takes a situation that completely sucks….and somehow makes it suck less.” And for that he will be forever grateful. It’s why, for the second year in a row, he’s organizing a stellar musical fundraiser in support of the organization.
Jamie Clarke with his dad in the 90s (Photo: Myrle Facebook page)
Clarke’s dad, Richard, died on June 25, 2016, spending his final days at Hospice. When Clarke learned how much the organization relies on donations, he wanted to help and the Rock and Roll Black Tie Affair was born.
He says his dad wouldn’t be surprised by that desire to help, though he might not have enjoyed the format. “He hated rock and roll,” said Clarke. “But one of the last things he ever told me was that I was generous and willing to give to others and he always liked that about me.”
That first event garnered “tons of super positive feedback,” said Clarke. He was pleased to see a younger generation getting on board to support Hospice at the event. They also enjoyed the dress-up part of the evening, sporting everything from tuxedos and top hats to spiked hair and cut-off jeans – when you combine rock and roll with black tie, just about anything goes.
It raised $19,628 for Hospice Huntsville.
The second annual Rock & Roll Black Tie Affair features Clarke’s band Myrle, along with special guests Ron Hawkins from band Lowest of the Low; Steve Singh, guitarist for Matt Mays; and Bluebelle. Comedian Ryan Horwood is MC.
The show is once again preceded by canapés and cocktails from Spencer’s Tall Trees, Totem Juice Company and Peninsula Ridge, along with a silent auction that will include: tickets to a Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators game in February, a Dare 2 Be Different concrete coffee table, golf foursomes at Deerhurst and Grandview, a complete irrigation system installed by Earth Elements, and a Letterkenny autographed fan package from K Trevor Wilson (a.k.a. Squirrely Dan).
If you can’t make it to the show or want a lasting memory of the night, local producer Andre Wahl will be recording it for release as a live album, with 100 per cent of its earnings going directly to Hospice Huntsville.
“I hope that people come out and support it,” said Clarke. “I hope they realize that hospice is an important part of our community and that people keep lending their support to these type of things in our town.”
Tickets are available at the Algonquin Theatre box office or online here.
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