The String Rock Epic

Doug McArthur

26 Harry Wyatt Place

Winnipeg, MB R2M 5M7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2008

MUSIC WARMS THE SOUL

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA � Winnipeg band Broken Halo will host a unique party fundraiser that combines rock and classical music in an effort to raise money and awareness for Siloam Mission on February 28, 2008.

The String Rock Epic event will pair Winnipeg's passion for music and supporting the homeless into one distinctive rock concert. Broken Halo will be accompanied by The Cathedral Street String Quartet who will be playing string arrangements of Broken Halo songs written by Zack Antel, the multi-talented keyboardist from local rock sensations Tele.

All proceeds from this fundraiser will go to Siloam Mission. Broken Halo vocalist and event organizer Doug McArthur believes that the best way to strengthen your community is to help the down-and-out.

"I see the less-fortunate everyday on my way to Red River College. I know they need help. I don't have a lot of money to go give, so my band and I are using our musical talents to help raise money and awareness for the Siloam Mission," said Creative Communications student McArthur.

The mission was established in 1987 and has been growing ever since. In 2007 they opened 105 warm beds at Hannah's Place Emergency Shelter. Later that year they launched Saul Sair Health Centre enabling them to meet the physical, spiritual, and emotional health needs of patrons.

However, all of these services cost money and the mission is always looking for new partnerships to source funds. Els Fenton, the Siloam Mission's Director of Resources, said that 96 per cent of the missions operating budget comes fundraising and private donations. Fenton is excited about McArthur's fundraising initiative.

"Because of community support, change is happening in the inner-city of Winnipeg," said Fenton.

The distinctive concert combining local rock and renowned classical music will take place at the Park Theatre, 698 Osborne Street. Tickets, which will be available at the door, are $10 and doors open at 7 p.m.

"We are combining different types of music, so that we can help the different types of people who are struggling in our community," said McArthur.

Broken Halo is one of Winnipeg's most up-and-coming bands with rotations on FREQ 107 FM and 92.9 KICK FM. The Siloam Mission is a Christian humanitarian agency.

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Zach Regiec ∙ Oracle Communications ∙ zachregiec@hotmail.com ∙ (204) 801-9632