Artists turn cancelled shows at Needle into fundraisers

A number of acts have rebooked shows elsewhere as benefit concerts for SACE

Bands from as far away as Austin, Texas, have cancelled their shows at the Needle Vinyl Tavern in the wake of a social media firestorm surrounding an allegation of sexual harassment made by a former employee.

After Brittany Lyne Rudyck went public on Facebook, the bar posted a notice saying it had shut its doors indefinitely Tuesday.

A few local acts have turned their rebooked events into benefit concerts for the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE), including Altameda, now playing at Starlite Room Dec. 14, and Brunch Club, who have moved their Friday Needle show to Aria’s Bistro.

“We’re proud to see so many others in our community standing up for safety and security while enjoying live music,” said Matt Kraus, who plays keyboards in Altameda.

Ellen Reade, who fronts and plays bass in Brunch Club, said her band was originally going ahead at the Needle: “I was going to make a bit of a scene during the show, really push that we were donating all our profits to the sexual assault centre. We posted a status saying we were leaving it open for discussion. But enough people from the community were, like, maybe you should drop the show. So we did.”

Needle ownership said in an earlier statement it had a zerotolerance policy for the behaviour Rudyck alleged, and promised to use services from SACE and the YWCA moving forward. The bar did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Other performers had cancelled shows at the Needle before the bar closed.

Current Swell is trying to reschedule a Saturday show, as are Good Lovelies Dec. 8. Same goes for Major Love Dec. 29 and Five Alarm Funk March 3.

New venues are generally honouring prior ticket sales, and confirmed re-bookings include:

Cold Specks with La Timpa and ■

Nuela Charles is now downstairs Thursday at 9910.

No Problem with James T. Kirks ■ and Screaming Target at Starlite Room this Friday.

Edmonton NextGen event City ■

Jam with A Tribe Called Red is moved to the Starlite Dec. 2.

The Aviary is now hosting Craig ■

Cardiff with Simon Hoskyn, Dylan Ella Dec. 7.

The Velveteins show with More ■

Wine and Cayley Kathleem is now at Starlite Dec. 28.

P.E.I.-born, Austin-based country ■ singer Whitney Rose moved her show to the Empress Ale House Feb. 18.

Kim Churchill with Christian ■

Hudson has moved to Starlite March 8.

DAVID BLOOM A former employee alleges she was sexually harassed at the Needle Vinyl Tavern. Local bands have supported her by cancelling shows and the venue announced Tuesday it was closing.