A MUSIC festival is set to be held in memory of a musician who lost his battle with cancer.
Sylvia Latimer is holding ‘Folk Off Cancer’ to raise money for The Myton Hospices and Macmillan, who supported her partner Mick Shaler until he lost his battle.
Semi-professional musician Mick was diagnosed with throat and tongue cancer in 2010 and after chemotherapy and radiotherapy went into remission.
But unfortunately the cancer returned and in 2015 he died at Warwick Myton Hospice.
Electric fiddle player Mick – who performed in bands Meet on the Ledge, The OddSods and Time after Time – used to organise fund-raising concerts called the Piganini Trilogy. At the time Warwick-based Slaughterhouse Brewery created a special Piganini Ale to serve at the shows – and they are once again brewing up the ale to serve at ‘Folk Off Cancer’ in his memory.
The festival on Saturday June 17 at Warwick Racecourse will have something for all the family with a mix of folk, rock, reggae and soul music being performed from midday to 10.30pm.
Bands including Revenge of the Wrinklies, GrassRoutes, Sloe Gin and MJS are just some of those which will feature.
Organiser Sylvia said: “Mick was a talented semi-professional musician, his unique fiddle playing style echoing with fellow musicians and audiences alike. He had a lust for life which was loud, exciting, infectious and sometimes exhausting.
“Mick also had a quieter, considered and spiritual side. Those who were privy to this had the gift of seeing and reproducing beauty via his music or his other passion for photography.
“Folk Off Cancer has three purposes – to raise funds for Myton and Macmillan Cancer Support; to raise awareness of the wonderful and varied work these organisations undertake through their care, campaigning and compassion; and as a tribute to the man, music and mayhem that was Mick Shaler.
“The bands have all generously given their time and talent free of charge and people have been very generous donating raffle prizes.”
Tickets cost £12.50 for adults or £25 for families – two adults and up to three children.
Search ‘Folk Off Cancer’ at www.eventbrite.co.uk to buy tickets.
