Winehouse tribute boosts mental health initiative
Amy Winehouse tribute concert raises funds for mental health services
For local singer Heidi Munro, an Amy Winehouse tribute concert has been on the radar for some time.
To run the concert as a fundraiser for an initiative supporting mental health services in Saskatoon seemed like the perfect opportunity.
“She had such a short, incredible, brilliant, tumultuous, messy life,” Munro said. “I felt that the relationship was good because of what she represented in her short lifetime, and the things that she went through.”
The concert, titled Back to Black — the name of one of Winehouse’s most iconic albums — is set to take place at the Broadway Theatre on Feb. 28 in support of the Prairie Pay It Forward Fund, a new initiative in Saskatoon intended to provide assistance to people who might be unable to afford medical coverage for medication or counselling to help with mental health. The concert will also be interpreted for those who are hard of hearing.
Winehouse died in 2011 from alcohol poisoning at the age of 27. Despite a career tragically cut short, the intensely popular singer still released a large catalogue of award-winning music. Winehouse’s intensely powerful vocals combined with a raw and emotional style of songwriting made her music a huge hit.
Unfortunately, Winehouse struggled with drug abuse and depression during her music career. Her death came as a shock to the music world and spurred public discourse and projects to support those struggling with the same challenges as Winehouse.
Mike Couros, one of the men in charge of the new fund, said there are still too many barriers in the way of accessing mental health services for people in Saskatoon. The goal of the fund, which is still in its infancy, is to work with health professionals in the city to help reduce some of those barriers.
“When the benefits run out, sometimes the money’s not there. Sometimes people have to make a choice between buying groceries and seeking medication ... seeking help,” Couros said.
Munro said Winehouse was an incredible musician because of the blunt and truthful way she wrote music, crediting Winehouse’s jazz roots for her unique style.
“She wrote the way everybody thinks,” Munro said. “She had the attitude that ‘this is who I am and this is the way it is’ ... very real, very raw, and very brave.”
Munro’s music career in Saskatoon has been nothing short of a success, spanning multiple decades and genres. The show at the Broadway Theatre will feature Munro and a band full of other top-tier Saskatchewan musicians, including Jack Semple, Sheldon Corbett, Brad King and more.
And during her career, Munro said she’s seen a lot of instances where artists struggle with mental health. Munro referred to the music industry as “unforgiving,” and said it’s expected of artists to be able to leave any of their personal struggles at the door before they perform.
But for Munro — and for Couros and the new Prairie Pay It Forward Fund — everyone who comes out to see the show will have a good time listening to some great music. And even if audience members can’t afford to donate to the fund, Munro and Couros said they hope they can leave with a new awareness.
“I want it to bring out human compassion, more than anything,” Munro said. “Everyone has the capacity to have compassion.”
I felt that the relationship was good because of what she represented in her short lifetime, and the things that she went through.