A ‘Uke-nique’ evening of ukulele music is coming to Colborne’s Keeler Centre early next month, with all proceeds supporting the cause of Ukrainian refugees displaced through the Russian invasion of their country.
Presented by the Colborne and District Lions Club and the Cramahe Township Public Library, the ‘Ukes for Ukraine’ fundraiser is set for the Keeler Centre’s (80 Division St.) Rotary Room on Saturday, May 7 from 5 to 9 p.m.
The evening will feature music from the Colborne Library Ukulele Band, the band String Mashup, as well as several special guests. There will also be silent/live auction event, as well as a catered dinner. All money raised will be turned over to International Red Cross Foundation and to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.
According to event organizer Marie Lachner, who’s also a member of the String Mashup band, the concert/dinner/auction evening came about in response to the dire needs of the people of Ukraine.
Lachner said the 30-member Colborne Library Ukulele Band, a band she’s been affiliated with since 2013, has been hard at work with rehearsals for the event. The Colborne band has played on various stages throughout Northumberland County, including the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope and the bandshell in Cobourg. This summer, the band will perform a concert at the Colborne Gazebo in Victoria Park.
Meanwhile, the Colborne and District Lions Club is partnering with Black Dress Catering for the meal associated with the event. A Mother’s Day meal is $25, with $10 of it to support Ukraine, which is also the admission to the concert.
“You can bring your boxed meal into the Keeler Centre and listen to some music,” said Lachner, who added pub food will also be available for sale upstairs in the Centre, and the bar will be open (bar service requires ID for age of majority).
Lachner noted there will be a Facebook live auction in conjunction with the concert, as well as a silent auction at the Keeler Centre, with items graciously donated by local businesses. All auction items will be on site for viewing and bidding.
“It’s so much appreciated,” said Lachner of the donations. “All the support from the community has been amazing and it just continues to grow as we move toward the event.”
Lachner said there are plans to have a Ukrainian guest speaker whose family arrived in the area recently.
Doors open at 4 p.m. on May 7. Meals must be ordered in advance by calling Donna Rusaw of Black Dress Catering at 905-375-8575. The ordering deadline for meals is May 5.
(Written by: Alan Rivett)
