Virtual Lilith Fair tribute

Students from eight Cape Breton schools participate in 10th annual concert

INVERNESS — Music teacher Neil Macquarrie’s impact on students is reaching outside of the halls of Inverness Education Centre-academy.

Ten years ago, Macquarrie and some students started the Lilith Fair Tribute Concert which included three schools. It was an idea he said the students had as a way to promote gender equality in music and celebrate female empowerment as the Lilith Fair did.

Student run and performed, it was also a good way to give students handson experience producing a concert while raising money for their music department.

Over the years it’s grown and this year 40 musicians

from eight schools are participating in the concert, which is virtual due to the COVID19 pandemic.

“The help from the neighbouring schools, the music teachers and other staff and parents is above and beyond,” said Macquarrie, who was a student at the primary to Grade 12 school before getting his bachelor of education from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. “With a student submitting a song,

there’s so many things behind that song. Whether it’s a music teacher helping, parents helping with lessons, so those things matter so much.”

THE LILITH FAIR

Created by Sarah Maclachlan, a Grammy- and Juno-winning Canadian singer-songwriter, the Lilith Fair raised more than $10 million for charity in three years (1997-99). In 2010, there was one more Lilith Fair.

A travelling musical festival featuring only female solo artists, all-female bands and female-led bands, it promoted women’s place in the music industry.

“The students really thought it was important to celebrate equity and female empowerment,” said Macquarrie.

The Lilith Fair Tribute Concert started off with allfemale bands and soloists but opened up to other genders about five years ago because students requested it.

Due to the pandemic, the tribute concert had to go virtual last year and is staying the same this year. And students have asked for donations for the food bank instead of their music department.

“The students said they didn’t feel right taking donations for them when there was a pandemic going on,” Macquarrie explained. “I thought it was an amazing idea. There are so many people in need.”

People who tune into the virtual concert, which will be available online until June 13, are asked to make a donation themselves to their local food bank.