The local classic rock band New Variant and solo artist Kevin Boese are in concert on Friday, April 5 in Abbotsford for a fundraiser titled Rockin’ for Ukraine.
The event raises money for Hope for the Nations Romania, which does humanitarian work in Romania and recently in the Ukraine, bringing supplies to refugees of war.
New Variant was formed more than six years ago by a group of musicians jamming in a friend’s basement. They perform easy-going pop and rock favourites such as Take it Easy by the Eagles, Long Train Runnin’ by the Doobie Brothers and Keep on Rockin in the Free World by Neil Young.
Members of New Variant are Steve Lang on guitar, John Jenkinson on bass, Steve Mitchinson on drums, Gerard Doppenberg on rock organ, and their newest member, Eric Bird, on lead guitar.
“We started off just playing for fun and now we are trying to excel at our craft and taking the musicianship a little more seriously,” Lang said.
Kevin Boese has been driving truck for the last 11 years. His favourite bands are Rush and Dave Matthews, and he loves to include their songs in his set list.
As a songwriter, he tackles relational issues and our place in the big picture. When he’s not driving truck or writing songs, he enjoys extreme mountain-biking.
Lando Klassen, former owner of House of James Bookstore and Coffeehouse, is coordinating the event.
“At House of James we had music almost every weekend and, since retirement, I have missed that. So this is a lot of fun to get some great musicians together for a great cause. I think it will be a memorable night,” he said.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Abbotsford Arts Centre’s Community Arts Addition at 2329 Crescent Way. Tickets are available at rockinforukraine.simpletix.ca, by calliing 604-615-4978 and or at the door.
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