Last Thursday’s Mel Parsons’ concert at the Theatre Royal has boosted The Boathouse rebuild by close to $10,000.

Manager Amie-Jo Trayes says Mel ‘played a blinder’ at the packed theatre, overcoming a bad throat bug for a singalong finale and a standing ovation from the crowd.

“It wasn’t just the great music from Mel, Jed Parsons, Django Schmango and the Boathouse Choir,” she said. “There was an amazing feeling of community support for The Boathouse from the crowd. When MC Pete Rainey explained that Mel had offered a free concert for us right on the day of the storm a huge cheer erupted!”

Trayes said almost all the proceeds from ticket sales could be devoted to the rebuild, thanks to the support from all those involved.

“Mel gave her time as did the other performers, the Theatre Royal let us have the venue at no charge, and we didn’t have to pay for the Rockquest Promotions’ sound system or the radio advertising from Media Works or a host of other costs,” she said. “It was a great boost to know we have so much support...people are really looking forward to being back in The Boathouse come October.”

Trayes said with the help of good insurance and fundraising The Boathouse is going to be better than ever when it reopens. She said most of the West Coast beech flooring is now down, in the building and on the deck, and they are measuring up for the gangways to the entrance doors.

And Trayes hinted there is another big name musically offering a free gig that is likely to be the reopening concert.

The Give-a-little page is https://givealittle.co.nz/org/the-boathouse-community-trust# and if you want to help in other ways or look into Boathouse membership, please contact Amie-Jo Trayes at info@theboathousenelson.co.nz

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