AN AMAZING line up of local and national musicians will perform at the Condong Bowls Club this Saturday, June 24, from 2pm in support of Tweed Creative Studios who continue to recover from the devastating impact of the Tweed flood.
Among the acts are Aussie guitar legend Phil Emmanuel, Bourbon Street and Late for Woodstock, as well as locals Lissy Stanton, Matty Rogers and Moody Dudes.
Tweed Creative Studios is located on Buchanan Street in South Murwillumbah and was set up by local musician and passionate music promoter Chantal Waters.
Chantal recently revealed the studio’s struggle getting back up and running following the flood and hopes the fundraising will help.
“In 2013 I set up Tweed Creative Studios to bring an entertainment hub to Murwillumbah and this last three-and-a-half years has been a fulfilling experience on many levels,” she said.
“Tweed Creative Studios suffered badly due to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie on March 30.
“We couldn’t enter the premises until Sunday, April 2 and for three days we stood at the end of the street not knowing whether there was any damage.
“When we entered the building it was the biggest shock of my life and I totally thought we were ruined and the business was finished.”
Chantal put a call out for public support using local media and social media.
“Support started pouring in. So many local people and musicians came to help us remove the debris,” she said.
“Admittedly for the first two weeks I was in shock and had no aspiration to rebuild, I just felt it was all hopeless especially because the insurance company was and is still holding us back.
“Finally I got the courage to start again, and with the help of my good friend Jake Maloney, the community and the team at the studio we started the rebuild.
“We have been working 17 hours a day seven days a week to build the studio bigger and better than ever.
“The Category C grant finally came through which has been an enormous help for the rebuild. However we still would like to pay back our consignees.
“A great friend mentioned the idea of a fundraiser which at first I didn’t think we deserved this because so many people have suffered due to the destruction of Cyclone Debbie but then I realised how much this business has enhanced our town in so many ways and I agreed to the Fundraiser.”
Chantal spoke to some of her musician friends and they offered to play at the fundraiser.
“We are proud to announce this fantastic once in a lifetime line-up of some of the best musicians on the coast,” she said.
“Pro music Australia has gifted a brand new white nylon string guitar which will be signed by the great musicians of the night and auctioned off.”
“We also would like to thank Michael Simmons from Mount Warning Tours who has sponsored a bus to pick up people from Bray Park, Sunnyside bus stop and the Tumbulgum boat ramp every hour from 1pm.”
The event will include a sausage sizzle by one of the local schools who also suffered from the flood.
“Lots of activities will be available including face painting for the children and even barefoot bowls,” she said.
“We have kept this event affordable so that everyone can have a great time. There are so many people to thank especially Tweed Valley Fruit Exchange and the many other businesses that have assisted us through this extremely difficult time.”
Meanwhile the studio reopens on Saturday, July 1 at 2pm.
“We will be holding an official ceremony to celebrate the reopening and thank our many volunteers,” Chantal said.
“We welcome the public to attend and view the many changes we have made to make Tweed Creative Studios a Modern Retro Music Shop with something for everyone and attracting the tourists from miles around.”
Cost is $10 pre sale or $15 at the door.
