Musician Justine Vandergrift sees more reason than ever to celebrate International Women’s Day this year.
“With everything going on in the world, it’s important that women team up in the arts and work together for change,” said the singer/songwriter, who was among thousands who marched in New York City in January to protest U.S. president Donald Trump’s treatment of women.
On Wednesday, Vandergrift will be one of five Alberta musicians entertaining at an International Women’s Day Concert at The Hub on Ross in Red Deer.
The concert-in-the-round will also feature Red Deer pop/country singer Randi Boulton, Calgary rocker Liz Stevens, and two Edmonton singers — folkie Erin Kay and rock singer Billi Zizi.
The five will take turns singing solo material as well as collaborating on each other’s songs.
“I selected some of my favourite female singers for this,” said Vandergrift, who organized the fourth-annual concert.
The former Red Deer resident, now living in Calgary, also performed at the last three Women’s Day shows at the Hub to highlight the continued struggle for women’s equality, and to support the concert’s charitable aspect.
This year’s 7 p.m. show will raise money for the Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association (CAIWA), which has provided referrals and training for newcomers to the Red Deer area since 1991.
The organization runs a variety of programs, including preschool education, financial and computer literacy, youth employment, a culturally sensitive food bank, and a collective kitchen so women can plan, shop and cook nutritious, affordable meals.
Funding is now needed for CAIWA to equip a commercial kitchen in the former Club Cafe to provide training for the food services industry, and resume the CAIWA catering business. Ethnic finger foods and drinks will be sold at the International Women’s Day event, and all donations will go toward the Club Cafe project.
Cards will also be available for anyone wishing to make a donation in honour of a birthday, anniversary or Mother’s Day.
Admission to the concert is by donation ($20 suggested) at the door.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com