Derry4Haiti gig

NO ONE can fail to be moved by the images that have beamed around the world since the earthquake in Haiti, so spread the word music lovers - 'Derry 4 Haiti' is just 15 days away.

That means there are just 15 days left to round up support for a unique, one-off, four-venue music event designed to raise as much cash to help the beleaguered people of Haiti and and the help of music lovers across the City is needed.

According to the charity gig's booking and logistics manager, Tony Doherty, the imaginative event will take place on one day/evening and will focus mainly on four venues: The Nerve Centre, Sandinos, Bound for Boston and Masons, but there is scope for street entertainment and music on the Walls as well, and there is still time to register your interest in helping out either by performing or by assisting in some way.

"The concept is that there are four venues, the Nerve Centre, Sandinos, Bound for Boston and Masons, and the concert will take place all on the one night, on February 25, which is a Thursday night.

"What we are appealing for is for music lovers to save up their sheckles and buy a ticket. One ticket will cost a minimum of 8, although you can donate more if you want, and for that you get an armband. That armband lets you go to any band you want, so you can float between the four venues and view your favourite bands or you can spend all night in one venue. You can enjoy the line-up any way you want, or you can simply buy a ticket if you don't want to go, and contribute to the event. Whatever you want to do that's fair enough," said Tony.

"There was a music event in Belfast in aid of Haiti, but we are doing things slightly differently: It's not just the bands that are giving their time and effort for free. The Venues have given us the space free and they are also donating their bar profits to the cause, which is not only very unusual, it is also very generous and we are delighted and very grateful at the support that the four-venue gig has been shown so far," he said

Organised by Pierce Moore at the Nerve Centre, the support team includes Tony as band booking and logistics manager, who also paid tribute to others who had come on board: "Sandinos is doing a lot of its own work on this, we are indebted to Deep Fried Funk, Billy from Masons and Les from Boston have also been very, very helpful, as have all the managers and owners. In fact everyone we have spoken to to date have been great."

Stressing that the they were still in the very early stages of organising the event, the growing band list will be posted on the Nerve Centre website and will be updated as February 25 approaches.

"There are 10 or so at the moment and we reckon we will need about 20 bands, and hope to have DJs, and maybe comedians doing MC on the night. We would also like to have busking taking place around town and maybe even musicians on the walls...so anyone that wants to offer their services in aid of Haiti is very welcome to get in touch with us at the Nerve Centre.

"The gigs are open to everyone and we would be delighted to see people from the Waterside and the Cityside coming together to make this work. The Nerve Centre is open to everyone from the age of 14 up, and, obviously in the bars you have to be 18," said Tony.

Those who want to volunteer their services can telephone the Nerve Centre on 028 7126 0562.

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