Take a warm summer night, add in a backyard and a few local bands, and not only do you have Rock the Patio, an August 18 event in Hanmer, but you also have a fundraiser for the Sudbury Food Bank.
It will be held in the backyard at 925 Coté Blvd., beginning at 7 p.m.
“A close friend, prior to us knowing them, had a hard time, financially, and they relied a lot on the food bank,” said Chesi Hall, organizer of the grassroots event. “So we're supporting this person and other people by doing this.”
Hall said her whole family is musical; she, a singer, her father a guitarist, and her brother as well. This is a chance for them to enjoy their favourite family activity: live music.
It’s also a chance to showcase the talent of new bands in Sudbury, including Hall’s brother’s band, Brother Stone.
The event was a success last year, said Hall, promoted only by word of mouth through friends and family; this year, she hopes a little marketing will help, as will a well-known band playing the show: Sudbury’s own Pop Mach!ne
“We give bands an opportunity to put themselves out there, and this year, we're hoping to do as good, if not better,” she said.
For Hall, good means taking a sizeable haul to the Sudbury Food Bank, just like last year.
“We are asking for a donation of a non-perishable food item or cash donation as a ticket,” said Hall. “We want to give back to the community we love and that we grew up in.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair, and be prepared for the weather. If there’s rain, the bands will play in a garage on site.
“We’re also out in the boondocks,” she said with a laugh, “So you’ll need bug spray.” As well, sunblock is recommended.
There will also be open mic opportunities for any singers or bands looking for a stage.
For more information about the Rock the Patio concert, visit their Facebook event page, found here.
Jenny Lamothe is a reporter with Sudbury.com.
