Music afficionados looking for something to do this weekend will be “blown away” by the variety on show at the ‘Lift Your Spirits’ benefit concert, supporting fundraising efforts at Highland Hills United Church.
County-based musician Drew Allen is partnering with the Minden congregation for the event – taking place at the church Feb. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. and raising money for the installation of an elevator at the church.
“Having a lift would make a huge difference to this congregation. It makes the entire space accessible,” Allen said.
The project is pegged at $80,000, with the church group having raised approximately $20,000 thus far. Allen said he doesn’t have a set monetary goal for his concert, noting tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. The church can hold about 120 people at capacity, he said, with about 40 tickets sold as of press time.
Allen said he was approached last summer, with an eye on hosting something in the fall. Together, he and the church’s reverend, Max Ward, decided to hold off until the new year, when there’s typically not a lot going on.
“We wanted to maximize [the number of attendees], while also giving families something to do,” Allen said. “It’s something affordable that people can come out and enjoy.”
A musician since childhood, Allen has spent much of his working life performing on stage, teaching, and selling instruments – mainly pianos. He said this concert would incorporate a variety of styles, showcasing the range in his voice.
“I’ll be doing some of my classical music, like Chopin, Beethoven and Bach. I’ll have some popular music, mainly Billy Joel and Elton John. Then I’ll have some classic American song book, stuff from George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart, and Burt Bacharach. There will be some Broadway stuff mixed in too,” Allen said.
He will be joined on stage by two members of the Highland Hills United congregation – David Moore and Sheelagh McClelland, who will each assist on two songs.
“David has got an amazing voice, a much better bass voice than I have. Sheila is a wonderful soprano… it’ll be nice to have some company up there,” Allen said.
“There will be two 45-minute sets, five or six different styles of music, and you’ll get to hear from a few different people. It’ll be a great event and it’s for a fantastic cause,” he added.
Tickets can be purchased online at eventbrite.ca (search ‘Lift Your Spirits’) or by calling the church office at 705-2861470.
Highlands musician Drew Allen is excited for this weekend’s ‘Lift Your Spirits’ benefit concert.
