Toronto and GTA Punk Scene Comes Together in a Cause

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 17, 2009) - By the time they get to Low Key Fest they'll be two or three hundred strong - local performers and rock music lovers and supporters of Ontario's largest Children's Treatment Centre, headed to Karlovac park in Milton on August 29 to raise money for kids with disabilities.

It's not exactly Woodstock - more of a Kidstock, really - but everywhere there will be a song and a celebration. "Summer is finally here, so it's a time to have an outdoor summer party to help these kids," said Anissa Hilborn, President of the ErinoakKids Foundation. The Foundation is the newly-launched fundraising arm of ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development, which annually cares for almost 9,000 children with disabilities, and provides support for their families, in Peel, Halton, Dufferin and, for some programs, in Wellington and Waterloo.

Organizer's cousin helped by ErinoakKids

One of the children helped by ErinoakKids is the cousin of event co-organizer Anthony Hajsan who, together with his brother Christopher, launched the idea that grew into a live music festival. "I play in a band, and I know people in other bands," said Hajsan. "We wanted to help more children." The idea of a music festival resonated with his band mates and others in the local music scene, including a fistful of bands with a social conscience, who jumped at the chance to put their music to work for kids with disabilities. "A lot of people responded to it."

The festival happens Saturday, August 29 from noon to 10 p.m. on a sprawling 42-acre site at 1860 Thompson Road South in Milton. It includes ErinoakKids' own rock band, SUPERFIRE, who recently launched their first CD recorded at Metalworks Studios in Mississauga. "Some of the guys in SUPERFIRE have disabilities; some are volunteers," said ErinoakKids Music Therapist, William Murray. "At the fest they'll do what they do best - showcase their abilities, along with their friends in all the bands who will be there to rock out for the kids."

It's a youth music uprising

The list of performers features local bands The Artist Life, Dead City Citizens, Diemonds, HYFY, Keepin' 6 and No Right Turns - a Who's Who of GTA bands who are ready to rise up for a worthy cause. The outdoor festival is family-friendly, with an enclosed stage, a fully licensed bar, washrooms and plenty of parking. "It's for all ages, tickets are only twenty bucks for the whole day, and all the proceeds go to ErinoakKids to help kids with disabilities to be all they can be," said Hilborn.

Low Key Fest is sponsored by SMAAK Enterprises, Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Toronto Punk Show Listings, Do It Yourself Clothing and Sleeman Breweries. They all came together to further the cause of kids with disabilities, as well as everyone's summertime goals -having a good time in the land where summer is just too short.

For further information log on to: www.lowkeyfest.com.