Hear for a good cause

Annual event raises money for Loaves and Fishes

SYDNEY — Guitar Night has become something of a tradition every spring although organizer Jerry Holland probably wishes there wasn’t a need for it.

The event, which will be held at Centre 200 in Sydney on Thursday, April 18 at 7:30, will see some of the island’s best performers on stage and all of the money raised from admissions and raffles going to Loaves and Fishes.

“It’s the day before Good Friday — it’s like the Tipsy Eve of Easter,” said Holland. “We’re supporting Loaves and Fishes and the demand has been increasing every year. They’re serving 4,000 hot meals a month so that’s crazy.”

This year’s event will be held at Centre 200, thanks to increasing attendance every year since it started four years ago.

“It’s amazing how it’s working out,” said Holland. “We get an attendance of 350 to 400 every year. We kept the ticket prices as low as possible — tickets are $34.50 plus service. We held it at Membertou

and we decided to take it to Centre 200 and grow it a bit.

“We have everything on the floor this year so it’s going to be a good night, a bigger night, and I think a lot of people will come out to see the impact Loaves and Fishes has in the community.”

Since it began in 2016, the event has been steadily expanding. In its first year, it raised $4,308 and a truckload of food and in 2017, $8,375 was raised. Last year’s fundraising goal was $10,000 but $18,011.80 was raised instead, leading to this year’s goal of $20,000. Over the past three years, $30,694.80 has been raised for Loaves and Fishes.

Performers this year include J.P. Cormier, Dave Gunning, Buddy MacDonald, the Elliot

Brothers, Joe Waye Trio, Curtis Matheson Band, Carmen Townsend, Jordan Musycsyn and Mike McKenna Jr.

The silent auction and doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. If you bring a food donation, you might win a prize.