BT/0416

Music stars line up to help
Maeve Quigley

ULSTER music star. Brian Kennedy, is one of a number of stars who are to appear at a special concert in the Waterfront Hall in aid of the Omagh Memorial Fund organised by a Bangor housewife.
A Concert For Omagh will take place on October 4 and will feature an impressive line-up of local and international celebrities and entertainers including the West Belfast singing star, Mary Black and the Ulster Orchestra.
The event is the brainchild of Judith Turley a Bangor housewife who was so moved by the events in Omagh that she felt compelled to do something for the people affected by the tragedy.
"When I heard the news of the bombing I was so overcome that I knew I had to do something. I knew this time it wasn't enough to cry alone. I needed to do something which would help remove the darkness and ugliness of the atrocity." she said today.
Judith said she felt staging a concert was the best way she could help.
"I feel that music offers a way of expressing something good. We are such a musical people I think we can use music almost as a healing force."
Two hundred tickets for the event are to be given to members of the emergency services and other individuals who were involved in helping the victims of the bombing.
The line-up will also include a number of surprise guests and proceeds from the ticket sales will go to the Omagh Memorial Fund."
"All the artists have been very generous in donating their services for tree. We are also hoping to cover other costs through sponsorship."
Company director Eamon McCann has also offered the services of Wonderland Promotions to handle the production side of the concert and Belfast City Council are providing the Waterfront Hall for no charge.
Tickets for the October 4 show will cost £14.50 and are available from the Waterfront box office (01232) 334455 and usual outlets across the province.
Meanwhile on Thursday night David Holmes will join a host of local DJs at the Limelight for a special club night with all proceeds going to the Omagh Fund.
Admission to the Hope club night is £5 and the event begins at 8pm.