MUSIC FEST MS RAISES $27,500
Music Fest MS, May 5, 2019, will help end MS
KELOWNA, BC – Juno Award Winner, Jess Moskaluke, and 2017 BCCMA Country Club Act of the Year winner, Ben Klick, took the Kelowna Community Theatre Stage last Sunday, May 5, in the first annual Music Fest MS concert, with all proceeds being donated to the MS Society of Canada. The single-day event raised $27,500 through ticket sales, silent auction, and a raffle draw on the night of the show.
Klick, a resident of West Kelowna, was inspired to organize and perform Music Fest MS, after his father was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, that can effect vision, balance and coordination, mobility, bladder, energy, memory, and mood. 77,000 Canadians live with MS, and currently there is no cure.
“To see the community come together in my hometown was incredible! The amount of awareness that was raised created a support group within the Okanagan by connecting the local community with the Country Music Community, and MS Society.” – Ben Klick
Multiple sponsors helped get the concert off the ground including the presenting sponsor BMO Bank of Montreal, along with DKL Financial Services Inc., Sun Life Financial, New Country 100.7, Harmony Honda, Ex Nihilo Vineyards, Delta Grand Resort and Hotel, Wentworth Music, Manchester SPG, BNA Brewing Co., and more, with sponsors ready to jump back on board for 2020.
The VIP acoustic performance at BNA Brewing Co. gave ticket holders a chance to get to know Klick and Moskaluke in an intimate setting, leading to the main show at the Kelowna Community Theatre later on that evening. Feedback included how positive the experience was for attendees, along with hopes to see the event back in 2020.
Klick says, “There are already conversations being had and plans being made to bring ‘Music Fest MS’ back next year with some even cooler experiences, and more great music.”
