STEPHEN MAGUIRE

The StarPhoenix - July 7, 2010

Flood aid fundraiser - Concert to help victims of disaster
By Jeanette Stewart

Musician Stephen Maguire was watching the evening news last month when he saw footage of an elderly woman wading through the wreckage of her Maple Creek home. He decided to do something about it and got on the phone to his friends. Seven Saskatchewan musicians are now slated for a special Flood Relief Concert in Saskatoon to raise money for flood victims across the province.

"There are kids who are homeless, no toys, nothing," said Maguire. "This isn't a Third World country. We're talking about the Prairies here."

The concert is scheduled for Monday, July 19, at Third Avenue United Church. All proceeds will raise money for the Saskatchewan Red Cross. Communities across Saskatchewan have been devastated by the recent floods and record rainfalls. According to the provincial government, 38 municipalities have declared themselves a disaster area. In Yorkton, more than 100 families were left homeless after last week's major rainfall. Help is also needed in Prince Albert and in Saskatoon, where hundreds of basements have flooded. June flooding in Maple Creek affected many homes and businesses and forced the closure of the Trans-Canada Highway on both sides of the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. In addition to the flooding, a July 2 tornado on the Kawacatoose First Nation destroyed 15 homes, which band councillors expect could cost more than $2 million to replace.

"This is a lot all at once. We're always at the ready for floods and forest fires and for personal disasters, but because of this severe weather we've been having, it's so much, and over such a huge part of the province," said Jen Pederson, spokesperson for the north-central Saskatchewan region of the Red Cross.

The Red Cross has already spent "many tens of thousands" of dollars assisting those affected by recent extreme weather, says Pederson. The organization has sent cleanup kits, found shelters and provided hotel rooms for people who need them and on Tuesday appealed to people of the province for $500,000 to continue with relief efforts.

Saskatoon folk musician Carrie Catherine said she got involved with the event because she performed in southern Saskatchewan last year and says the area is "stunningly beautiful" but also incredibly isolated, which is bound to create additional problems for residents.

"I hope it brings awareness about what's going on," she said. She hopes the money raised will help to rebuild the communities.

"I think it's going to be a really interesting show and have a lot of great energy to it," she said.

Artists on the bill include Andrea Menard, Jay Semko, Eileen Laverty, Jeffery Straker, Codie Prevost, Catherine and Maguire. CTV's Veronica Jubinville will host the evening.

"I think it's a rare opportunity to see these people under one roof," Maguire said. He also hopes his event prompts others to take initiative.

"In this situation I really wanted to lead by example," he said. "We do this for a living. If people don't buy our records and come and see us, we don't exist. This is the best way for me to give back and create awareness."

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children, available at McNally Robinson Booksellers, online at Picatic.com or at Third Avenue United Church. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. If unable to attend the concert, donations for Saskatchewan "severe weather fund" can be sent to the Saskatoon Red Cross office.