MUSICIANS RAISE FESTIVE FUNDS FOR WELLINGTON’S MOST VULNERABLE

Wellington’s top musicians are lining up to raise money for DCM, the organisation that works at the “the tough end of things”.

The gig, “Musicians for DCM”, at Wellington’s San Fran on the night of December 3, will feature Barnaby Weir (The Black Seeds and Fly My Pretties), Ebony Lamb (Eb & Sparrow), Eva Prowse, Darren Watson, and one of the country’s favourite singer-songwriters, Wayne Mason (the name behind the hit “Nature”). They will be backed by The Hard Core Troubadours, a loose collective of local musicians, which will also feature their own songs.

DCM – formerly known as Downtown Community Ministry – works with Wellingtonians who have little or no access to money, housing or food. Each year DCM steps up for around 850 people, supporting them back on their feet. Much of the funding for its services comes from public donations, either in cash or kind, or into its foodbank.

“DCM does an amazing job,” says Rob Joass, the singer-songwriter and leadman for Hobnail, and Hard Core Troubadours member, who’s putting the gig together. “We organised a similar gig last December in Paekakariki, but this year’s gig at San Fran will be bigger and better. DCM gives great bang for the buck as every single dollar of what’s raised or donated goes straight to supporting those who need it.

One of The Hard Core Troubadours is Alan Norman, who also works at DCM. With his musical background, music is very much a part of the DCM kaupapa. “Every day we start and end the day with a song, a waiata,” says Al.

“It’s a way of setting up the day in a positive way for our taumai, the people we help. And every Thursday I take a musical session. It’s fantastic to see how our taumai respond, even those who’ve never done any music. It gives them an amazing amount of pride and it’s a great way for them to spend their time.”

Joass says the musicians who’ve given their time for the fundraiser are all excited to be able to give something to the community. “We’re coming up to Christmas, and that’s the time many of us stop and think about what we’ve got and, maybe, what others haven’t.

“Along with selling tickets, we are also setting up a Givealittle page so people can donate through here. We’re hoping that perhaps instead of buying a $30 bottle of wine for their Christmas dinner, they might buy a $20 bottle and give the rest to DCM. They probably won’t really notice the difference, but that $10 will make a really big difference to the Wellingtonians who need it most.

“Most of us want to help those who are less fortunate that ourselves, and this is one way they can do it and know every cent is being used to the greatest effect.”

Gig details: Musicians for DCM, December 3, 8pm at San Fran, Cuba St, Wellington.

Tickets: $30 from Eventfinda.

Facebook: Musicians For DCM

For more about DCM: www.dcm.org.nz

ENDS

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