FALL RIVER: Like a fire engine roaring to the aid of people in need, the 250 or so people at the Benefit for Haiti, held Feb. 4, at St. Thomas at Fall River Anglican Church, in Fall River are roaring to the aid of those in Haiti.
The full house, which was treated to a rocking two-hour show featuring the church’s choir, Dartmouth-based Scotianaires, led by Sue Kember, of Windsor Junction, and hometown favourites Don and Dave Carroll, who both makeup Sons of Maxwell. Other performances were done by Goldie and John Godfrey and Tony Hunter.
Beginning the night, the church choir sang a few songs during the 15 minute kitchen party sing along, which led into the high-voices and grooving sounds of the Scotianaires, which has members from as close by as Windsor Junction and Tantallon and as far away as Upper Burlington. Their performance received a standing ovation. They even had the little kids in the audience up dancing along with them at some points.
Carroll started his set on his own, doing three songs before being joined by brother Don on the stage for the remainder of the hour long performance. The songs they sang included tracks from Carroll’s own CD and newer ones, like the gender-neutral song he did for his newborn baby boy and of course, United Breaks Guitars.
He also did Everyday Heroes, a song dedicated to police and firefighters around the world, and a song that currently has its video posted on the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Service website, www.halifax.ca/fire.
The crowd stood for a minute-long ovation, which forced the duo back up for one last song.
Maxine Hibbits, the representative of Primates World Relief Development Fund (PWRDF), who would be distributing the money raised to those in Haiti, announced the concert had raised $2,394.
John Aikenhead, the acting warden of the church, said planning the event had begun in earnest two weeks earlier. He said organizers had no problem pinning down the artists.
“They were thrilled they could pitch in and help out such a worthy cause,” Aikenhead said.
He said the amount raised shows the community bands together to help out those in need.
“It shows that people have big hearts and when they see others in need they respond without hesitation,” he added.
phealey@enfieldweeklypress.com