The floods in southeastern Saskatchewan have prompted people to do what they can to help out. The province's musicians are doing their part by singing to raise money, with flood relief concerts being held throughout the province, including at the Painted Hand Casino on July 12 and 13.
The lineup for the concert has a wide range of Saskatchewan talent, with Codie Prevost, Jess Moskaluke, Samara Yung, Stephen Maguire, JJ Voss, Alex Runions, Steve Gibson and Kelsey Fitch.
Maguire says he got on board with the concerts from the moment he heard what was happening from Moskaluke. He came to Yorkton that day, and worked with Murray Yung to set up the concerts. Maguire says that this is the way musicians can help people, and he hopes the money raised will make a big difference to people suffering after the flood.
"For us, if our audience is hurting I have a problem with that. We're constantly telling people to come out to shows, we're launching an album, we're doing this, we're doing that. And now it's if you guys are in trouble and we can help, we're doing it."
The support from the province's music community has been overwhelming, with SaskMusic and the SCMAs being a big supporter of the event. Maguire says that artists from across the province wanted to be involved.
"Nobody hesitated, they said if they were available they were there, and nine out of ten of them were... Everybody wanted to be there from all over this province, we had to move quickly, so even though you're going to get about ten artists on stage, believe me there are about forty thinking of you guys."
There will also be concerts in Saskatoon and Regina, and Maguire says he hopes they remind people what is happening in the south-east corner, and remind people how serious the flooding still is for many people.
PotashCorp will be matching the money raised from the event up to $50,000, Maguire says. All of the money goes directly to the Red Cross in Saskatchewan.
"At the end of the day, this is an entertaining night out, and you need to know that your $20 ticket has become a $40 ticket. It's going to do a lot of good."
For Maguire, the flood hits close to home, because the city is a big part of his family.
"I love Yorkton, I got married there in 2007 and my wife lived there for twenty years, her family for nearly thirty. We have so many close friends in Yorkton. Just great people, great city, great place. When we heard that you guys were in trouble, we knew we had to rally the troops and make something happen."
Maguire hopes that even if people are unable to make the concert, they're able to give to the Red Cross and help their neighbors get through the flood.
The first show sold out in the first day, and a second show has been added on Sunday, July 13, with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. and the show at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Yorkton Co-op, Loucks Pharmacy and Shoppers Drug Mart.
"It's a great lineup, come out and enjoy yourselves, and know that your money is going to people who really, really need it."
