Winnipeg musicians expect to raise $10K for Fort Mac, other wildfire victims

Winnipeg musicians, including members of Harlequin, Doc Walker and Slow Motion Walter, will be rocking out Thursday night at Nashville's Bar Winnipeg on Regent Avenue in support of those affected by the Fort McMurray wildfires.

• Fort McMurray evacuees could return home starting June 1

Rockin' for Fort Mac organizer Lisa Windsor, expects to raise at least $10,000 for the Canadian Red Cross. The money will go to Fort McMurray evacuees and anyone else affected by other wildfires this summer, she said.

"We're raising money to help people who are in need that's the main goal," said Windsor who is also performing Thursday as the lead singer of the Lisa Windsor Band.

The Canadian Red Cross does not keep track of money raised for specific causes by province but a spokesperson said eight community fundraisers so far in Manitoba for victims of the Fort McMurray disaster have brought in more than $52,000 to the organization.

Nation-wide the Canadian Red Cross has collected more than $94 million for Fort McMurray wildfire victims. That total does not yet include the matching donation from the federal government, said the spokesperson.

Despite the amount raised, Windsor said musicians were eager to lend their time and talents to raise more money for wildfire victims.

"Everybody I've asked has said yes, which is wonderful," she said.

Windsor expects Thursday's event to sell out based on the early ticket sales — at least 200 had been sold as of Wednesday night.

"It's going to be a really fun night with a lot of Manitoba's rock stars," she said.

Rockin' for Fort Mac starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Nashville's Bar Winnipeg located at 826 Regent Ave. Tickets are $10.