Outdoor Concert Planned
by Kellie Underhill

Since August, Julian Austin and Matt Minglewood headline an outdoor concert at the Doaktown Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 12th. Proceeds will help fund programs for the local Youth Centre.

"We want to start some drug awareness and anger management programs," says Michelle Robinson, Director of the Youth Centre. "Those programs cost a lot of money. I’m hoping to target the teenagers more than we already are."

Michelle and Assistant Director, Doug Curtis, organize activities for 80 to 100 kids each week.

"A big part of our job is to fundraise because we’re non-profit. Doug and I came up with this concert idea back in January. When we first started talking about it, it wasn’t quite as big as what it is now. It really expanded," Michelle laughs.

They wanted to find talent from Eastern Canada and when Michelle’s father suggested Matt Minglewood she sent him an email.

"He called back the next day and said when and where," she recalls. "He was good to go and I thought, ‘Wow, that was easy enough.’ He calls every couple of weeks to see how things are going and he gave us a discount because we’re a Youth Centre. He’s just been really awesome about the whole thing."

When the Doaktown Community Arena closed in April because structural damage made it unsafe, the Youth Centre relocated to the United Church hall on Main Street.

"We got a lot of kids back there," Michelle smiles. "And their ages ranged. We have things for pre-school right up to age 18. Back at the arena we had craft night, fitness nights, car washes, bake sales, flea markets, book sales and what not. We had Friday night dances, movie nights, pool tournaments, and different sorts of things like that."

Activities have been limited since the move.

"It’s just been confusion since we’ve been here," Michelle says. "The hours have changed because the church uses the hall too."

The repairs to the arena are taking longer than anyone anticipated. Michelle had hoped they would be back in the arena by the end of May.

Because Julian Austin is from New Brunswick they wanted to try and get him to come for the concert. Luckily, he was available.

"We’re hoping where he is from this province, he’ll attract his hometown and the whole works of them will show up for it," Michelle says.

Tickets are $25 for Adults and $20 for Students and Seniors. A limited number of tickets are available and sales have been going well.

The doors open at noon. Two local bands from the Doaktown area will kick-off the show followed by Fredericton’s own Since August band. Country crooner, Julian Austin takes the stage next while legendary rocker, Matt Minglewood will close the show.

Coolers are not allowed onto the grounds but food vendors will be onsite and a "Beer Garden" will be available. The event is sponsored by Molson.Tickets can be purchased at the Doaktown Youth Centre (telephone 365-7090), Burke’s Diner in Blackville, Burke’s Two in Doaktown, Trevors Hyundai in Miramichi City, Chipman Irving, Hill Top Restaurant in Fredericton, Hagerman's Irving in Boiestown, Sara Dawn Café in Minto, or by calling Charmaine Robinson at 365-7975 or Cathy Storey at 365-8960.

Michelle won’t say whether this concert will turn into an annual fundraising event for the Youth Centre.

"It just depends," she laughs. "I hope so, but it will depend on this one. If we can make this something memorable, then maybe next year it will be even bigger and better."

"Back in January, it was so surreal that we couldn’t comprehend it. But now we’re seeing who’s going to make the sandwiches for Julian Austin, you know," she giggles.