Upcoming Band Jam for Cancer in Brandon

Music lovers and community members in Brandon are gearing up for a special event to kickoff the month of November the annual Band Jam for Cancer. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better, with an impressive lineup of local bands, all coming together to raise funds and awareness for cancer research and support.

“Chris Kemp is a local musician who decided to create the event as a way to involve the local music scene and help out the Cancer Society. In a past interview with me he stated the following, “The Band Jam was created to honour the memory of a wonderful woman named Georgette Williams who was a big part of my life as a musician. My first band practiced in her basement and she acted as our manager, agent and pretty much everything else we were too dumb to take care of ourselves. When she passed away from lung cancer, it was devastating. At her funeral, the floor was opened up to anyone who wanted to say something about her and I sat and said nothing. I felt I needed to do something to pay respect to her, so I went to Heidi (Former Owner/Manager of The 40) with the idea for the band jam and she loved it!” Frank McGwire-Iwasiuk told bdnmb.ca

“October of 1997 was the date of the first Band Jam for Cancer at the 40. The 20th anniversary of the event was celebrated in October of 2016. Then the event was shelved for various reasons until a couple of individuals expressed interest in reviving it. I personally remember asking Chris a couple times over the past few years if he was going to do it again and offered my help if he was ever going to do another Band Jam for Cancer. Both times he said it was on the backburner. Then wouldn’t you know it, I go through my own bout with cancer and following a rough winter followed by a prostatectomy in March. During my recovery I received a group message from a former bandmate (Anastasia Jane) who also recently endured a bout with cancer. She wanted to know if the event was going to happen this fall and offered her help to revive it. Chris Kemp was the other person in the group message. I ran the idea by Robin (Manager at The 40) and she agreed to a meeting to help plan everything out. Now we have sponsors (B.O.B. Headquarters and Smitten on 18th Street) as well as media sponsors (96.1 Bounce FM and Pure Country 101.1 FM). We will gladly accept support from any other local businesses who would like to co-sponsor the event.” added Frank.

The line-ups for both nights (Friday, Nov. 1st and Saturday, November 2nd) are full. Here’s the schedule:

The Band Jam for Cancer is more than just a music festival. It’s a community-driven initiative aimed at supporting those affected by cancer. All proceeds from the event will go towards the local chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society. Mark your calendars and join in the effort to fight cancer while enjoying a fantastic day out. For more information, tickets, or to make a donation, visit their official Facebook event page.