NOTE: Time change. The event will start at 5 p.m. and will be indoors.

The community is coming together to the sound of music.

A benefit concert is coming to the downtown core of Okotoks to support Ukraine through music, food, and fun.

The event hits close to home for Organizer Klym Bolechowsky. He and his wife know a few people still in Ukraine, including his brother-in-law. 

"[He] still lives there and we are kinda worried about him and we keep in touch with him and want to do what we can to help him out."

Bolechowsky gathered his family and started pulling together musicians and volunteers to put together a way to lift spirits and fundraise money for Ukrainian relief efforts.

"I think from watching the news every day I was feeling kind of helpless and down from seeing what's going on. So I tried to think of some ideas and being a musician I thought, ‘hey, maybe we could do something musical or get some people to come together.’ So I started thinking about ideas and I reached out to Lisa Watts at Hubtown."

They will have a live auction, a 50/50, Ukrainian foods, as well as a great lineup of local talent.

"My band is called the Jack Butler Society and we're going to headline probably around eight o'clock. My buddies at the Handsome Devils are coming out, my pal Jesse Taylor and my pal Jim Buchholz would be there as well as solo performers."

He adds, "I'm super happy to be playing with Haggis for the first time." 

His daughter Grace will also offer some support by selling small Ukrainian flags for two dollars each. 

"My dad bought a big flag and a whole lot of little ones," she says, "I think it's important to help Ukrainians because of the time they are going through." 

the poster for the benefit concert with details on times and the talent.

The event is by donation with proceeds heading off to Ukraine. Bolechowsky has it narrowed down to a few charities.

"I’m trying to find the ones that will give us the most value for donations, I'd like to give 50% of the proceeds to the Canadian Red Cross who are doing great work in Ukraine as we speak, and the other 50% I'm looking at possibly Save the Children of Ukraine or some other."

The event is Friday, April 15 at Hubtown Brewing Company located in downtown Okotoks. Festivities kick off at 4 and will go into the evening. 

The Jack Butler Society

Haggis

The Handsome Devils 

James Buchholz

Jessie Taylor