For one night only the Mad Friday Music Festival is hitting Tooting and Mitcham community sports club in aid of charity this week.
The Mayor of Merton will open the festival on Friday, October 28 in aid of her two chosen charities for 2016/17.
Councillor Brenda Fraser will kick the event off which will raise money for The Merton Voluntary Service Council Avanti Club and Age UK Merton.
Birdogg Tru Blu Band will be headlining the night’s music as well as the four-piece Rock-n-Roll band Blues Cortina who can be expected to get the audience rocking with lively 1950s style hits.
Hip-hop dancer Daniel J will be performing his moves to get everybody shaking in what promises to be a lively night at Tooting and Mitcham United.
There will be one surprise band performing on the night as well as a raffle to raise money for the two charities.
The MVSC Avanti Club, that has taken the lead in planning the event, was launched in December 2014 and supports Merton residents suffering from mental health issues.
Avanti is not a random name for the initiative but rather an Italian expression meaning to ‘move forward’ or also to ‘come in’ if someone knocks on your door.
The group meets on Monday evenings from 6-8pm at the New Horizon Community Centre in Pollards Hill.
The sessions enable members to take part in activities such as Tai Chi, Qi Gong and art and craft sessions to gain self confidence as part of a community.
Marcella Meloni, volunteering coordinator at MSVC said: “According to our motto ‘to cook a meal together from scratch’ the festival will be another opportunity to raise awareness and support mental health in Merton and to reduce stigma and barriers.
“All planning, organisation and performances have been done by people affected by this topic personally in one way or the other.
“I am looking forward to meeting everyone on the dance floor, dancing to the eclectic music of the performing bands.
“I would like to thank everyone in advance who made this event possible, especially the amazing artists playing for free as Fridays are their ‘busy’ days, the volunteers supporting on the evening, The Mayor Of Merton, Councilor Brenda Fraser and my colleagues and friends for their support in promoting this.”
Age UK Merton is an independent charity providing services and support to older people and their carers in Merton.
The charity supports more than 2,000 people each year and plays a key campaigning role, speaking up on issues which might stop Merton from being a great place to grow old.
Age UK chief executive Charmaine Bennett said: “We were absolutely delighted to have been chosen as one of the Mayor’s charities this year along with the Avanti Club.
“Not only will it help a great deal with our fundraising but it also gives us a wonderful opportunity to raise our profile in the borough.
“The Mad Music Friday Festival looks like it’s going to be a great event and we look forward to promoting and supporting it.”
Tickets can be bought at www.msvc.co.uk/madfriday or by calling 020 8685 1771.
