Memorial concert in Summerside aims to fill 'big holes'
Keeping Music Alive, a fundraising concert in memory of P.E.I.'s Owen Hann, will hold its second annual event this weekend.
Hann, a well-loved musician based in Summerside who travelled the world playing music in his day, died unexpectedly in December 2022.
"Dad's loss was very sudden and it left big holes in a lot of people," said Hann's son Nick.
But the family was quick to move to mark his memory. Last April they launched Keeping Music Alive, gathering together Owen Hann's musician friends for a concert in Summerside. Just the event itself was healing.
"To be able to do that last year with all of those bands that played, who meant a lot to Dad, was just incredible," said Hann.
But it turned out to be much more than that.
Donations were offered at the door, and the 500 people who attended raised $16,000.
It was bigger than expected, and the family launched a number of initiatives with it.
An annual $5,000 bursary for a Three Oaks Senior High School student to study music at a post-secondary school.
$1,000 to each of the three elementary schools in Summerside for their music programs.
Troy MacArthur, left, Nick Hann and Roland Beaulieu worked together to organize Keeping Music Alive. (Submitted by Nick Hann)
"For us to be able to, maybe, kickstart someone's passion for music or get them to the next step where they can pursue it a little easier, it means a lot, and especially to do it in Dad's name," said Hann.
The event will be Saturday at the Silver Fox in Summerside, with the doors opening at 7 p.m. It will feature, among others, Eddie Quinn and Old Habits, Route 225, Ellis Family Band, West End Blues Band, and a special appearance by Owen Hann's daughter, Brittany Hann-Bowness.
Once again, people will be asked to leave a donation at the door.
