A Rock4Autism-focused fundraising concert is coming to Surrey's Brownsville Pub on Saturday, April 12.
Free to attend, the multi-band event will raise money for a special outdoor concert at Port Moody's Rocky Point Park next year, with a 50/50 draw, meal deals and more.
Brownsville Boogie Band opens the day of live music at 4 p.m., followed by MayDay Youth Choir (5 p.m. set), Andrew MacFarlane (6 p.m.), Rock Squad (7 p.m.) and Luc and Friends (8 p.m.).
"The autistic community brings out a few musicians to the weekly jam I host at the pub on Sundays," says the Boogie Band's Graham Newberry, a local real estate agent and co-planner of the April 12 event.
"Again this year, these talented autistic musicians will be providing some of the music entertainment, and wow, they are good."
Rock4Autism concerts have been held at pubs and parks in Surrey and other cities in recent years, with Guy Picard as chief planner and father of Luc, a neurodiverse musician who gigs regularly.
The event at Brownsville Pub is about fun, fundraising and raising awareness, Picard says, "and giving opportunity to professional players to play alongside the neurodiverse talent, and also the other way around."
Later this year, Rock4Autism 9 is set for Sept. 28 at Port Moody Legion, "so this (event in Surrey) is actually extra awareness, which is our real goal," Picard added. "Golf tournaments bring in big bucks. We just provide an opportunity for making the community a little more aware of autism in their community."
Check rock4autism.com for more details, or visit facebook.com/Rock4AutismCanada.
