Autumn concert to bring people together in support of Siloam

East Kildonan

As stated in the 2007 single, Autumnsong, by the alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers: “So when you hear this autumn song; remember the best times are yet to come.” Hearing that, it makes sense that the local event coincidentally sharing its name is also sharing its seasonal sentiment of hope for the future.

Autumn Song is a collaborative concert and art auction to help raise funds for Siloam Mission and promote education surrounding inadequate housing, addiction, and what unhoused people go through on a day-to-day basis as they continue their fight to survive — especially with the crispness of winter on the horizon.

The event will take place at John Black Memorial United Church (898 Henderson Hwy.) on Saturday, Oct. 4. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the music is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., then go until about 10 p.m. that night.

The event will feature an impressive collection of local musicians, including the Hillbilly Burlesque Duo — which consists of Angel Calnek and Darrell Sandmoen — Wally Landreth, Karen Hammerstrand, Paul Cameron Miller, the Boreal Chorus, and KWIAT, and will feature displayed visual art by Shannon Drewitt, Nancy Drewitt, George Stevens, Aganetha Dyck, and more. There will be refreshments, as well as a chance to meet the performers and browse art during the intermission.

Autumn Song was organized by John Drewitt, who is a member at the church and has dedicated a lot of time — since 2018 — to property management of the building, which has included an upgraded sound system for community events like this one.

“This idea got a life of its own,” he said, adding that it could very well have been one of those ideas that sticks in your mind one day, but is gone the next.

“(But) I had the question in my head one day … ‘What if I ask for help?’ … ‘Would you like to help?’”

And the help has been overwhelmingly positive, Drewitt said. The musicians involved have all donated their time, and the artists have donated their work to the auction. The event has also been able secure corporate sponsors to make everything truly come together, he added.

“I’ve learnt so much … people joining in and making this happen is restoring my faith in humanity,” he said.

The motivation to raise awareness for Siloam Mission, specifically, is deeply personal to Drewitt. His two sons were both affected by poverty and addiction, spending years struggling with inadequate housing, and he bore witness to “the terrible conditions” they were living in.

His son, Daniel, died in October of last year, partly due to the complications with his asthma that were triggered by addiction and surviving outside for long periods of time.

“I know we’re going to raise money,” Drewitt said. “But the more important part is to raise awareness. There’s a ceiling for how much money can do, but there’s no telling what educating people (can change).”

And as for the reasoning for using music as an outlet to do so, it also stems from a place close to home, as Daniel’s brother, Luke, is experienced in the craft and used it even when he was struggling, himself.

“(Luke) has spent a bit of time unhoused … and that (music) was the one thing that helped him get by,” Drewitt said.

“The month of October, too, is deliberate,” he added. “This time of year is a good reminder to people that winter is coming.”

Drewitt said that he’s hoping to fill the space — which fits 300 people — to generate a good spirit for the event. If people aren’t able to make it, however, the art auction is already active online and Drewitt encourages folks to donate to Siloam Mission directly.

Tickets are $25, while accompanied children get in for free. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit winnipegautumnsong.ca