Troubles set aside for a night

Quake-affected residents in south Marlborough can forget about their worries and their strife, at least for a night, at a free concert on Saturday.

Organised by Marlborough 4 Fun, the South Marlborough Concert, an R18 event with live music, some free drinks and a cash bar, will be held at the Awatere Memorial Hall, in Seddon, from 7.30pm to 10pm.

Marlborough 4 Fun chief executive Katrina Lange says tickets are limited to 250 residents living in the Awatere to Clarence area.

Tickets must be picked up before the event, with proof of address, from the Awatere Community Hub, Seddon SuperValue, the Cosy Corner Cafe or Ward School.

The Big Kahuna Band and DJ Simz are playing at the event, funded by the Lottery Grants Board.

‘‘We really wanted to offer something where people can turn up and have a good time, and we provide everything for them.’’

‘‘We really wanted to offer something where people can turn up and have a good time, and we provide everything for them,’’ Katrina says.

‘‘Tickets have been going out the door quite fast the last two days.’’

The concert is also supporting local businesses by sourcing catering and other services through them, including the Cosy Corner Cafe.

Yealands Family Wines has donated wine, Katrina says. The concert is the third free event organised for earthquake-affected south Marlborough residents by Marlborough 4 Fun, including a family concert and children’s theatre show.

Marlborough 4 Fun is also providing 80 tickets and a free bus service from Seddon and Ward to the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival’s gala concert at the ASB Theatre, in Blenheim, on August 12.