Tasmania’s Music Community rallies behind U.G.L.Y Cause

Dan Gracer and Tori Percival

Alanna Graudins and Rick McArthur

Local musicians come together to play for 7 hours straight to raise money for the Leukemia Foundation’s U.G.L.Y Bartender fundraiser.

U.G.L.Y. stands for ‘Understanding, Generous, Likeable, You’ and is the Leukaemia Foundation’s quirkiest fundraising campaign supporting regional Australians with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders.

Tasmanian bartenders wearing T-shirts that read ‘I’m U.G.L.Y. – I need help!’ throughout October will host a range of offbeat events to raise money. They’re all a bit of a laugh – but for a serious cause.

The Victoria Tavern in Hobart is supporting the cause for the second year, and bringing together a variety of local performers to help make the most of this fundraising opportunity. 17 different artists playing for a total of 7 hours from 6pm-1am on Thursday the 24th of October, and the venue will be giving 50 cents from every purchase to the cause, as well as taking additional donations over the bar.

Live and local is the focus, supporting home-grown musicians, some such as 16 year old Zach Spinks still in school, to get their music and talents more widely known, and building a strong community among this grown artistic world. Open Mic Nights running weekly since June have seen many musicians grace the stage at the Victoria Tavern – but this is the first time there will be so many!

Event organiser, Amy Fogarty says ‘we absolutely love having the opportunity to support Tasmanian artists of a diverse range of backgrounds, genres, and ages. They bring a new life to our changing venue, and we are truly grateful that they have been so willing to take part in our fundraiser for the Leukaemia Foundation.’

‘The local music community in Tasmania is growing steadily, and it’s important for new performers to have the opportunity to get stage experience, and the support they have for each other is so great to see’, Miss Fogarty said.

Donations to the U.G.L.Y Bartender fundraiser can also be made at the venue throughout October.

To find more information about U.G.L.Y. Bartender, visit www.uglybartender.org.au
Amy Fogarty, Entertainment and Promotions Manager, Victoria Tavern