Listening to some of Nelson’s best musicians will help guarantee future performers get their shot at the spotlight.
The fourth annual International Blues Music Day fundraiser will be held Saturday starting 7 p.m. at Finley’s Bar and Grill. All money raised by the event is donated to the music programs at L.V. Rogers and Trafalgar Middle School.
Tim Bullen, who retired this year after serving as music teacher at LVR, says programs don’t receive the funding needed to thrive from school districts.
“Just about every school program across Canada, and B.C. in particular, has really suffered from shortfalls through my entire career,” said Bullen.
“Any time there’s a little pod of funding that helps in purchasing instruments, repairing instruments, buying music for kids, helping kids get to festivals, it’s really, really welcomed.”
Saturday’s event is organized by Stelio Calagias and Phil Wilson-Birks, who will also perform as part of Baker Street Blues. Other acts include White Lightening Blues Band, Railtown, Sam Hurrie, Mr. Aardvark, and guest vocalists Sydney Black and Big Momma Blue.
Tickets are $10, and kids are free until 9 p.m.