Hailing from Halifax, Oh Dinah! has been building a following with their features on CBC Radio and by playing some of the more-known venues in the city. They mix one part city-life with one part country-life into a handful of tasty and edible, musical crackers: the perfect match for a great night with The Grass.
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Folkin’ Great Fundraiser sounds off for Alzheimer’s
A night to remember
BY SARA KEDDY
Kings County Register
Jay Chetwynd promises a night to remember - for those who can’t.
With his father, Andrew’s, death two years ago from Alzheimer’s Disease, Chetwynd is using his entertainment contacts to organize a “Folkin’ Great Fundraiser” of music for memory.
“My dad was a big guy - as big as me, and everyone knew him,” says Chetwynd, himself a big-boned, six-foot-plus fellow. Andy Chetwynd lived in Kingston with his wife, Sandra, and worked for years for Thompson’s Transfer in Middleton. He lived with Alzheimer’s for four years before his death.
“My mom quit her job, she stayed home the whole time - it was intense, and I have to give her credit,” Chetwynd says.
Establishing his Smokin’ Productions promotions company this fall in the Valley, Chetwynd knew a fundraiser in his dad’s memory would be on the schedule.
“It’s an awful disease, and I wanted to do this around Christmas. It’s a rough time of year for a lot of people: if you’re with your loved ones and they can’t relate to all those past Christmas memories....”
A Folkin’ Great Fundraiser is a two-band night out, featuring The Grass from Ottawa and Oh Dinah! from Halifax.
“Both bands can relate to a diverse audience - if you like Neil Young, CCR, The Band - this is their kind of music. They’re both very professional and fine-tuned.
“It’s not a rock concert atmosphere, but it’s not a variety show either.”
Chetwynd wants people to come out for the early 8 p.m. start, stay as long as they like, get up and dance, enjoy a few drinks and just have fun.
“We’re getting good support for this, and we just want to get the word out as much as possible.”
Local businesses have kicked in already, covering poster printing, donating prizes and other services. Chetwynd’s mom will work the door, and his brother, Charlie, and his wife, Heather, have donated a native print from time in Yellowknife for display in an Alzheimer’s residential care facility.
“We’re looking for volunteers - anyone who wants to help can call me,” Chetwynd says, too, listing security, door services, event set-up and other jobs that can be done by people willing to pitch in for the cause.
Folkin’ Facts
• Saturday, Dec. 29 - 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Kingston Lions Hall
• Tickets: $12 at the door; advance - singles, $10, three for $25, eight-pack (or more), $7 each. Call 691-4747
• Lions’ bar/ canteen services
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