Come out on Jan. 18 and dance your socks off at Beat the Blahs.
The event is a fundraiser for the non-profit organization Fertile Ground. It will be held at the Masonic Hall at 2687 Dunsmuir Ave. in Cumberland, starting at 8 p.m., and continuing until the music is over.
Says organizer Richard Drake: “The dance is aimed at people my age who don’t want to wait until midnight to boogie. Starting at 8 p.m., we will be spinning sounds from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, making sure everyone gets to move their feet to the best of beats. Just to remind us older folks of what it was like back then, we will be featuring a light show to help you trip the light fantastic, and get you in the mood.”
The event is a private party, and tickets are available only at Seeds Natural Foods Market in Cumberland, and Sure Copies in Courtenay. The will be no tickets at the door. There will be a licensed bar, so entrance is limited to 19 and older.
States Drake: “This event is a sure way to beat the January blahs, with some great music, and help a wonderful cause. At 10 p.m. we will be handing over the sounds to local DJs em.ash, UpsideDownNinja, Plena, and others, for those who appreciate a more modern groove. So there will be something for everyone. Our laser light show will illuminate the Cumberland night.”
Half of the proceeds will go to the organic tea project in Assam, Fertile Ground. This project has been helping farmers in northeast India to grow tea organically since 1998.
Founded by Peggy Carswell and Kel Kelly, it has helped small-scale farmers learn traditional agricultural methods, and access organic markets in the West.
Concludes Drake: “My aim is to raise enough money so I can fly to India and present Peggy and Kel with a big fat cheque. A few hundred dollars goes a long way in India.
"A thousand would advance organic tea growing in Assam light years. And of course, we will have a lot of fun doing so.”
For more information, contact Richard Drake at richard.drake@hotmail.ca.
— Fertile Ground