Inverness pub to stage two-day 24-act music event to help refugees and people in Gaza
A two-day music event at an Inverness city centre pub is set to raise funds for charities supporting people in Gaza and refugees worldwide.
No Place Like Home, taking place this weekend at the Market Bar, will feature 24 bands.
The money raised will go to The Highlands Supports Refugees which helps refugees with the basic necessities of life, and to Hearts for Gaza whose mission is to deliver aid, food and work to the bereaved people of Gaza.
• Group looks for a home to help boost its efforts to support refugees worldwide
• Rural Scotland and migration in spotlight as Highlands mark Refugee Festival Scotland
The fundraiser will feature 12 bands on Saturday (June 7) with 12 solo and duo acts plus a quiz the following day.
Scott Mackay, who is involved in organising the event with Howard Williamson, said although it had been in the planning for a while there was now added urgency given the latest developments in Gaza where starving people have been killed after coming under fire near aid distribution centres.
“It is devastating to see the genocide,” Scott said.
“It’s disgusting and an abomination.
“It is important not to stay silent but to move in a positive direction and do something which for me is playing music.
“It is a way of communicating with people.”
He was aware of the work of Hearts for Gaza which delivers vital aid.
“It is feeding people who are starving,” he said.
“The most important thing they need is food and shelter.”
Scott, who plays guitar and sings, plans to perform two of his own songs which he says have been inspired by shifting political times and a reaction to oligarchical greed.
The other charity to benefit - The Highlands Supports Refugees - takes donations of clothing and shoes plus blankets, sleeping bags, tents and toiletries which are then packed and sent to wherever they are needed most.
It has dispatched aid, for example, to Dunkerque, Calais, Chios, Lesvos, Athens, Lebanon, Jordan Syria and Ukraine.
Based in Hilton, it also has pick-up points in other areas.
People can also donate to the fundraising efforts at No Place Like Home.
Shirley Wyness, the entertainment manager of the Market Bar, said staging 24 acts over two days was ambitious but was confident it would be a great weekend.
Acts will include Inverness musician Tony Romaine, who learned to play guitar with one arm after suffering a stroke, and popular singer songwriter Dylan Tierney.
“People are very keen to take part in it,” she said.
“There will be something for everyone.
“There will be mellow music, some blues, country, rock, punk, acoustic.
“People can come along with their credit cards and wallets - and I will be hassling them!”
