A fundraising dance Saturday for the Ballenas Whalers Football Club featuring Eddie and The Funk promises to be a whale of a time.
The adult only party at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre will not only have great entertainment it will also feature some sweet raffle prizes including a $1,400 Grey Cup football package which includes two tickets to the November 30 game and hotel accommodations in Vancouver.
For those with a good arm there will be a ladies football toss for a chance to win a prize table and a stand up paddle board valued at $1,000 will also be up for grabs.
The event is a great way to support the Ballenas Whalers football program which has seen several former players go on to play at the college level and in the CFL.
Eddie and The Funk will be playing music from days gone by including the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.
They cover bands like Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones, Eagles, Robbie Robertson, The Band, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Mamas and the Papas and many other classic artists.
Ed Mayne who played guitar and bass in a high school rock band way back when is the guy who brought the group together and he didn’t protest when this reporter jokingly described the band as a bunch of aging rockers.
He admitted a few of them have grey hair but they still know how to party.
“We like to have fun on stage … I guarantee it will be a fun night,” he said.
When Mayne isn’t busy running his Tim Hortons franchise he is jamming with the group in his music studio in Nanoose Bay.
The nine musicians in the band are all good friends and Mayne said after jamming for about six years they have now paired their passion for music with their desire to raise funds for charities, playing at numerous fundraisers throughout the area, all for good causes.
Whether you love to dance or prefer to sit back and listen he said you will enjoy the harmonies that are very much a part of the unique group.
“We have a big emphasis on vocals. There are three lead singers and we like to play a bit of rock and roll and some country.”
Other members of the band include: Lori Koop, Jen Bate, Cliff Reynolds, Cam MacLean, Dave Ballantyne, Mark McGorman, Paul Bartlett and Dave Wright.
Next up for the band is the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce 30th annual Fantasy Auction Gala October 25 at the PCCC and on November 15 they are playing at the Qualicum Beach Community Hall at a fundraiser to provide Christmas hampers to local families.
Tickets for this weekends football fundraiser are $20 and can be purchased at Cranky Dog Music, the Temple Store or at the door of the PCCC.
Doors open at 8:30 and the band begins at
9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4.
