Tickets are selling fast for Support Act’s Music in the House fundraiser lunch at Sydney’s Ivy Ballroom next month.
The Australian music industry charity will present Paul Kelly with its charity award at the lunch on Wednesday May 18, to honour the lauded singer-songwriter for his outstanding services to the music community.
“Paul’s social conscience is evident not only in his music but also his actions,” said Joanna Cave, Support Act’s Chief Executive. “He - often very quietly - lends his support to a wide number of causes and social issues, including Indigenous land rights, environmental crises and children with cancer. He is a very worthy recipient of Support Act’s award.”
Andrew Denton will host the lunch, while Kelly, Julia Stone, Thelma Plum and Urthboy will perform.
The focus of Music in the House is to honour members of the music biz who’ve made a difference with their charity work. Previous recipients were Jimmy Barnes, Glenn Shorrock, Don Spencer, Richard Clapton, John Paul Young, Russell Morris, John Butler and The Sapphires.
Support Act – which provides relief services for music professionals (including roadies) who are in health and financial strife – receives no government funding.
“As things stand we have to raise every dollar we need to fund our service,” Cave told TMN. “We do experience some ignorance - "surely all musicians are wealthy?" - which can make that task difficult.”
Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
A survey released last year by Entertainment Assist found that of all workers in the wider entertainment sector, 35.3% earn less than $20,000 a year.
Cave told TMN that while the response to next month’s Music in the House lunch has been “phenomenal”, demand for Support Act’s service is increasing at an unprecedented rate.
The same survey by Entertainment Assist found entertainment sector employees suffer greater levels of mental health, anxiety, social, financial issues and drug and alcohol dependence issues, than the general population. It reported suicidal thoughts in the entertainment sector are 5 to 9 times higher than other sectors, and suicides are double the rate.
Announced today, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in partnership with RocKwiz have raised $22,065 to be donated to Support Act. RocKwiz, the beloved Australian television music trivia show, toured the nation last year to present ’ROCKWIZ LIVE! SALUTES THE ARIA HALL OF FAME’. Prior to the tour, ARIA and RocKwiz agreed that $1 from every ticket sold and $1 from every item of merchandise sold on the tour would be donated to Support Act.
Music In The House
Date: Wednesday 18 May
Venue: The Ivy Ballroom, Sydney
Time: 12-3pm
Bookings at: www.supportact.iwannaticket.com.au
More from The Music Network
Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
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