A charity supporting Tauranga’s homeless will benefit from a local concert in December honouring a global star who raised funds for people in need in his homeland.
Tauranga man Derek Toner has lined up 25 local musicians to play at the Glen Hansard Tribute Night on December 4 at Totara Street in Mount Maunganui, with proceeds going to Under The Stars.
Toner, an Irishman and musician, said Hansard was a globally recognised star who formed Dublin band The Frames and fronted it for more than 30 years. He was also one half of duo The Swell Season with Czech singer and pianist Marketa Irglova. The men won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Falling Slowly from the movie Once.
“Glen and I are both Irish, and I saw Glenn perform when I was about 16 in The Frames in Ireland, and I’ve been a lifelong fan ever since.”
Toner said the Oscar from Once launched Hansard’s career worldwide, including as a soloist. “Hansard supported Bob Dylan in New Zealand, played with Bruce Springsteen. He even played for presidents,” Toner said. Hansard died in a motorcycle crash on July 29.
Toner said he had always wanted to do a gig to honour Hansard. After his passing, it felt “like the right thing to do”.
By chance, Totara Street offered him gig dates before Christmas. “That spurred on the thought because every Christmas Eve, Glenn organised what he called a Christmas Busk in the middle of Dublin. He invited Sinead O’Connor, Bono, all these people, and they’d busk their songs and all the money went to a homeless charity.”
Toner said Hansard also campaigned for vacant buildings in Ireland to be used by the homeless. “So we were thinking, ‘It wouldn’t be right to take money for this [gig] … is there a homeless charity that we could donate the money to?’
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova won the 2008 Oscar for Best Original Song. Photo / Conor Masterson
“We found Under The Stars and struck up a conversation with them … it’s just a completely right fit," Toner said.
“Glen has long used his voice and profile to champion people experiencing homelessness, so it feels especially fitting that all profits from the night will go to Under the Stars, supporting people experiencing homelessness right here in our community.”
Toner said the artists performing Hansard’s songs on December 4 at Totara Street were donating their time. “We’ve brought together an amazing line-up to celebrate the different chapters of Glen’s musical journey.”
He’d reached out to the Hansard family in Ireland, who emailed to say the whole family was pleased about the gig.
“So our goal is to raise $4000. That’s 160 people in that venue. I’m sure we can smash it.
“The tickets are $25 each, which is the price of two beers. What we’re saying to people is, ‘Just buy the tickets and even if you don’t come, just donate them!’
“We’re sponsoring many Under The Stars’ volunteers to come, but there’s probably more who would like to come.
“Or, stuff your Christmas party. Just come hang out with us. You’ll hear some great music – we’ve got a brass section, violins and a rotating group of musicians – and for the price of two beers, it’s a great night and it’s all going to charity.”
Event co-organiser Sandy Toner, husband and event coorganiser/musician Derek Toner and Under The Stars general manager Chris Emmett. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
Under The Stars general manager Chris Emmett said teaming up with Toner and his concert was “a really good connection”.
“We run on the smell of an oily rag, so we’re very reliant on donations and the generosity of the public to help do what we do, which is provide meals for homeless and needy people.”
Emmett said his organisation was thrifty and used donations to the best of its ability.
“With $4000, we can turn that into $24,000. We can basically times the donation by six in impact because of our volunteers, who give their time and food organisations that donate to us. We’re really efficient, we don’t have a lot of overheads.”
Emmett said Under The Stars serves 350-400 sit-down meals and another 300 takeaway meals monthly out of its Cliff Rd facility thanks to 100 volunteers on a roster, donations from food agencies, grants and public donations.
“What we do is we sit people down; we make them feel welcome. They trust us to do that in a non-judging environment. That makes them feel respected and they have a proper meal twice a week, essentially.”
Emmett said the concert proceeds would be part of Under The Stars’ summer fundraising to raise $10,000. People can also donate on the organisation’s Givealittle page at: https://givealittle.co.nz/org/under-the-stars