WINNIPEG, MB – Everyone has that inner rock-star that’s waiting to get out and when given the chance to loosen the tie, untuck the shirt, and show off that tattoo that’s been hidden under a suit all this time, many of us would jump at that chance.
For the past 13 years, Winn$tock Battle of the Bands Charity Fundraiser has been giving people in the financial services industry a chance to do just that.
This year marks the 14th year for the increasingly popular event, being held Friday, March 9th at Cowboys Canad Inns Destination Centre, Windsor Park. Last year the event raised $101,000 and since kicking off in 2005 have raised close to $981,000 for local children’s charities
The event is the brainchild of Allan Jacks, Senior Vice-President, Business Development with Knowledge Bureau, and also Co-Chair of Winn$tock 2018, who had heard about a similar event going on in Toronto.
“Initially we wanted to see how the response would be and see if we could raise a little money for a good cause,” says Jacks. “After that first year, we knew this event was something special and we’ve been going strong ever since.”
Early bird tickets are just $35 until Friday, February 16th at midnight and available on-line at www.winnstock.ca or by calling: 204-489-2679 before going back to the regular price of $40. The event usually sells out very quickly and Jacks says because of the high demand, it’s a good idea to purchase your tickets early.
“We’ve sold out every year for the past 13 years,” adds Jacks who says they’ve now added the real estate, legal, and accounting industries to the event. “I’m expecting the competitiveness and talent level to be even higher than previous years.”
Winn$tock has continued to grow every year and with $981,000 raised in the first 13 years Jacks believes this year is possibly the most special of them all.
“We are going to surpass the million dollar mark this year, which is really exciting” says Jacks.
80% of all donations go to the Movement Centre of Manitoba, which is a non-profit organization committed to improving the physical health of children and adults with physical disabilities. In addition, to create a perpetual charitable legacy, 20% of net proceeds will be donated to the Winn$tock Legacy Trust – a trust managed by the Winnipeg Foundation.
It takes a lot of work and a lot of support to put an event such as Winn$tock on and Jacks is quick to point out that Winn$tock is operated by a 11 member volunteer board, plus an army of volunteers and celebrity judges and a celebrity MC who work tirelessly to make it all run smoothly. Of course, it could not happen without the bands that get together to compete and provide entertainment. Most important to the financial success, is the generosity of many forward-thinking, community-minded Sponsors who donate money, services and auction prizes to maximize the fundraising.
“Richardson GMP Limited has come on as our presenting sponsor again, Knowledge Bureau is a Hard Rock Sponsor, while Canad Inns have been amazing from the start of Winn$tock as our Venue Sponsor.”
In addition to the music, a full hot buffet and later, a cold social-style buffet is served as well. In year’s past they have done a live auction, but this year they are moving instead an enhanced Silent Auction and Rainbow Auction. Air Canada has also offered up two tickets anywhere in North America that Air Canada flies as one of the prizes.
Since Winn$tock is perennially “souled-out” – don’t miss out on attending by being a Winnipeg procrastinator! As the famous K-Tel commercials reminded us: “So you don’t forget, order your tickets by midnight tonight!”
Rock on Winnipeg!
By Bill Burfoot
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The bands for this year include:
Primetime (opening band)
Keith Lalman – Lead Guitar (Great West Life)
Trent Simpson – Drums, Percussion & Back Up Vocals (Entegra Credit Union)
Kevin Tillberg – Rhythm Guitar & Back Up Vocals (Credential)
Rick Yarish – Keyboards & Back Vocals (Government of Mb Legislature *special guest)
Shaun Proutt – Bass Guitar & Lead Vocals (Crown Auto Group)
THE REDLINERS
Hayley Main – Vocals (Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP)
Melanie Labossiere – Vocals (Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP)
Mike Choiselat – Bass (Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP)
Scott Hoeppner – Guitars & Vocals (Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP)
Andrew Thompson – Keyboards, Guitars & Vocals (Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP)
Dr. Darrel Drachenberg – Guitars & Vocals (WRHA/UofM/SoR)
Paolo Aquila – Drums (Taylor McCaffrey LLP)
Mutual Fun
David Hill- Bass, Vocals (Retired, MB Finance)
Chris Durston – Keyboards, Vocals (IG)
Brian Boyd – Guitar, Vocals (GWL)
Warren Shaefer – Drums (Carberry International)
Murray Hill – Lead Vocals (GWL)
Jarret Nagam – Guitar (Ticketmaster)
BACK TO THE FUTURE
Greg Bieber – Vocals (Richardson GMP)
Cole Moreau – Guitar (Super Blinds and Draperies)
Peter Jessiman – Guitar (CEO Wescan)
Luc Guenette – Bass Guitar (Quest Musique)
Connor Derraugh – Keyboard (U of Manitoba student)
Aaron Sabasch – Drums (Freedom 55 Financial)
Phil Collins – Trumpet (Transitional Living Center)
Neil Watson – Tenor Sax (Inner city kids teacher)
BRITAINY $PEERZ
Robert Walker – Vocals/Guitar (Scotia Bank)
Jeffrey Klassen – Guitar (Credential Financial Inc.)
Grant Page – Drums (Financial Heights)
Greg Barre – Bass Guitar (NonFinancial)