The annual Keep the Beat music event will be held next Wednesday at Lakeside Fields.
It is a fundraiser put on by youth to raise money for War Child Canada.
“This is our seventh year,” said Aisha Smith, who is one of the head organizers. “We have raised over $60,000 since it started.”
Keep the Beat started when four local high school students heard about War Child Canada and decided they wanted to organize an event to raise money.
“There are 15 of us [organizers] this year,” said Smith. “About four of whom are mainly involved. Everyone is working really, really well together.”
Keep the Beat is a free 10-hour music event that plays host to numerous artists from different genres.
This year there will be some regulars from years past, but also a lot of new faces.
“[Musicians] are usually really generous with their time,” said Rebecca Landsberg, who is also a head organizer. “Sometimes when we have a bigger name from far away, we try to make sure they have a place to stay.”
The group has been planning since last fall, as Keep the Beat requires a lot of time and effort to put together.
“It’s a little bit slower in the fall, because we don’t have as many meetings. Once spring hits though, it gets really busy,” said Landsberg. “The whole experience has been great. It has definitely opened my mind about new things for the future, and I think it’s been great to grow as a group.”
They are hoping to have another successful year, and a good turnout.
“Come out, it’s going to be lots of fun,” said Smith “The musicians will be really good this year, and we are going to have kid activities set up like arts and crafts and face painting. There are also going to be a lot of success stories being told, so people can learn more about War Child and what they have accomplished.”
“We are also going to be having a really good silent auction with a bunch of merchandise donated from local stores in Nelson,” added Landsberg.
The event starts Wednesday, July 25 at noon.