Morgan Davis Band on tap for Vale Concert Series

Sudbury may be a fairly wealthy city in one of the world's wealthiest countries, but that doesn't mean that hunger and poverty are not everyday realities for many city residents.

Every month, some 14,000 people make use of the Sudbury Food Bank and its member agencies.

But the food bank cannot do it alone. It takes the support of the whole community — from generous individual Sudburians to city businesses — to ensure the Sudbury Food Bank can continue to provide help to those who need it.

And during the summer, a big portion of that assistance comes from Vale and the annual summer concert series the mining company hosts at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre in Bell Park.

Food bank administrator Dan Xilon said the summer concert series brought in $17,000 for food in its inaugural year last year, “which is spectacular.”

This year, he is once again looking forward to some of the best in Canadian folk music, for a good cause.

“The audiences have been incredibly supportive,” he said. “The community is really warming up to the summer concert series.”

The shows, which take place once a month throughout the summer, are free to the public. All organizers ask is a cash donation to the food bank.

“The price is perfect,” Xilon said.

For as little as a donation, the community is treated to a quality show.
  

The Morgan Davis Band will be the next musical act to take centre stage at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre on July 17 as part of the new Vale Concert Series and in support of the Sudbury Food Bank.

JUNO blues winner Morgan Davis has performed throughout Canada, the United States and Europe for over four decades. His ability as a songwriter gained international recognition when Colin James covered his searing ballad “Why’d You Lie?”.

Morgan will be joined at this concert by Alec Fraser (Jeff Healey’s bassist), and Mark Mariash, (drummer for Ron Sexsmith).

The Morgan Davis Band is the third of five performances to be held in Sudbury throughout the summer. All shows begin at 7 p.m. (rain or shine) and admission is free to the community.

Monetary donations to the Sudbury Food Bank are welcomed.
To date, through the Vale Concert Series and the generosity of the community, about $22,000 has been raised in funds and food for the Sudbury Food Bank.

“We are thrilled welcome The Morgan Davis Band to Sudbury for our community to enjoy, while supporting such a worthy cause as the Sudbury Food Bank,” said Kelly Strong, vice-president of Vale’s Ontario and UK operations. “I encourage the community to come out and enjoy a great night of music on the shores of Ramsey Lake.”

Upcoming performances include:

-Wednesday, Aug. 14, Dala: Dala is in the “super elite” category of folk/pop acts in Canada, and a 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award ‘Vocal Group Of The Year’ winner.

-Wednesday, Sept. 11, Lennie Gallant: One of Canada’s finest songwriters, Lennie’s nine albums, (seven in English, two in French), have earned a host of awards and nominations from both the JUNO and East Coast Music Awards.