Patricia Theatre will be rocking with the sounds of local musicians on Sunday, February 10, as everyone is invited to Local Love: a Friends of the Library benefit concert.
A year ago, the theatre was bursting at the seams with a very successful concert held to raise funds for the digital conversion of the Patricia. Organizers are hoping that the concert on February 10 will be just as well attended.
Trevor Mervyn is president of the new board for Powell River Friends of the Library. He and other board members have developed a mandate to double the annual funds raised by previous boards. “If you average out the last few years, the friends raised about $5,000 a year,” he said. “So the goal of the new board is to double that this year. We held an event last week and raised a few hundred dollars, and then this event. It is just the start of the year.”
For over 20 years, Friends of the Library has been advocating and raising funds, while promoting literacy, learning and public awareness.
“We want to emphasize the positive aspect of libraries, what they do for communities and that they are about music, culture and art rather than just books,” said Mervyn.
Local Love promotes the ties of love, friendship, community and mutual support, essential in a small coastal town. Artists were eager to support the cause. “Lot Sparham is the head of our fundraising team,” said Mervyn. “She is the one who spearheaded this event and contacted everyone.”
Together with Dan Minard will be Pat Buckna, Shaun Coburn, Eugene Krauss, Lowell Morris, Bob Drage, Trent Olver, Geoff Allan and Phil Williams.
The board wishes to reorient the public on the changing face of libraries. “Libraries aren’t actually dying, they are actually changing,” said Mervyn. “In tougher times there is even more reason to use libraries because everything is free.”
The event takes place from 2 to 4:30 pm and tickets are $10, available at Breakwater Books and Coffee and at the door. For more information about Powell River Friends of the Library, readers may visit the website.
