A local shelter has some rock solid support
by Amber Goodwyn
SOFIA House Rock
with the Fortunate Isles, Val Halla, the Spoils and Megan Nash
The Exchange
Saturday 30
On the last Saturday in November, four bands will come together to raise a little hell (and cash too) for SOFIA House, a non-profit organization that helps women and families affected by domestic violence. Each band on the bill has a strong female presence.
The lady quotient is no accident. Indie dance poppers the Fortunate Isles organized the show with just that in mind.
“We thought it would be cool to have all female-fronted bands play a show together because you don’t really get to see that often,” says frontwoman Stephanie Tewksbury. “We thought it would be even better to make it a fundraiser for a good cause and I immediately thought of SOFIA House.”
Val Halla is one of the acts Tewksbury and her crew invited to support women and families in need.
“I just thought that was really cool,” says Halla.“To me, it’s also a great opportunity to build that [female] community within the local scene, because I know a ton of local musicians, but they’re mostly guys.”
Post-rockers the Spoils and Moose Jaw-based singer-songwriter Megan Nash will also perform, while fashion designer Megan Brooke of Iconoclast Clothing and visual artist Charlotte Hope — who will sell their wares and donate a percentage of the proceeds— round out the evening.
SOFIA House — the name is an acronym for “Support Of Families In Affliction” — provides a safe environment for survivors of domestic violence. Ten furnished apartments help create a sense of safety. The organization also provides individual and group counselling, and helps women contact any legal, medical and financial resources they need. There’s also a children’s program.
Tewksbury calls SOFIA House Rock “a celebration of women, empowerment and equality,” adding that the lady-heavy show is an uplifting and affirming gesture in solidarity with the courage it takes women to leave violent situations.
“You know, ‘girl power’ and ‘women rock’ and all that,” Tewksbury says.
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Check out SOFIA House Rock at the Cultural Exchange on Saturday, Nov. 30. Tickets are $10 advance or $20 at the door. Doors at 7:00, show at 8:00. For more information, visit culturalexchange.ca.
