By Andy Hirst
A benefit gig to raise money for a Huddersfield charity helping refugees is to be held in the Colne Valley.
It features the Dana Ali Band from Holmfirth performing their fusion of soul, jazz, blues, R&B, Latin and funk.
The gig at Marsden Mechanics on Saturday, October 1, also has Honley-based percussion group Banda Na Rua led by community percussionist Katie Mallard which plays Brazilian and modern street percussion. The gig starts at 7pm and ends around 11pm.
The event will be raising money for Destitute Asylum Seekers Huddersfield (DASH) which has been helping refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the town since 2011.
Dana, who comes originally from Atlanta, Georgia, said: “I have great sympathy with the situation in the world regarding displaced people. The Dana Ali band is very honoured to be a part of DASH’s fundraising event. This will be chance for us to support DASH with their efforts helping the needs of others. We hope to do the same by bringing music that we believe soothes the soul.”
In 2013 Katie Mallard formed Honley Samba Band with just a few drums and six members. It now has more than 20 drummers with people travelling from miles around to learn their unique sound.
In 2020 the band re-branded as Banda Na Rua meaning ‘band on the street’ in Portuguese to celebrate the change in style from Rio-style Samba to funk, drum n’ bass and British fusion.
Katie said: “Our two long-standing band members, Meg and Rick, have volunteered with DASH for many years and we were overjoyed when they asked us to perform at this event. Supporting the vital work that DASH undertake is a real privilege.”
For more on the bands go to https://www.banda-na-rua.co.uk/ and https://www.danaali.com/
To get tickets for the gig go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dash-fundraising-gig-tickets-396482639247
Tickets are by donation and a £10 minimum per ticket is suggested.
* Written by former Huddersfield Examiner Head of Content ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging and copywriting.
