Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, an African baskeda band best known for their titular documentary, recently added a Victoria date to their tour in order to play a benefit concert.
The concert is in support of the Victoria-Taiama School Project, a local charity formed in 2003 in order to aid the community of Taiama, Sierra Leone.
In 2012, the organization opened the Judy Smith Health and Education Centre, which provides health and child care for Tamaia and surrounding communities, as well as education designed to curb the spread of malaria, AIDS, tuberculosis and ebola.
While the community has not yet been affected by the recent ebola outbreak in West Africa, the organization hopes to avoid a local outbreak through preventative measures.
Local progressive band the Blackwood Kings will be opening for Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars.
The concert takes place Wednesday (Sept. 3) at Club 9ONE9. Tickets are $20 and available online or at Lyle’s Place Records, the Reef, the Strathcona Hotel Front Desk or at the door for $25.