Kidney disease is certainly no laughing matter but there’s nothing stopping the Kidney Foundation from getting people to hoist a few glasses and toast to fundraising for medical research.
Today, the organization is doing just that. For the second year in a row, it is hosting Shabam, an Alberta beer, art and music event that will once again mix beer with charity and culture at the Mayfield Trade Centre. It will also have the help of a Redwater artist who got a lot of attention during the St. Albert Farmers’ Market earlier this summer.
Heather Threinen played it up to just being in the right place at the right time. She said that Heidi Erisman, executive director at the foundation, stopped by and made an offer that she couldn’t refuse.
“She really liked my work and she asked if I would be interested in being involved in Shabam.”
“I like the idea of how they’re trying to raise money. It creates awareness on a lot of different levels.”
After consulting with her husband, a beer fan, the deal was sealed.
The artist will have one of her sketches up for silent auction, but she also gets the opportunity to display her work for show and sale. Not a bad arrangement, especially when she also gets to go to the event and enjoy its tasty offerings.
“I’m a wine kind of girl,” she admits with a laugh, “but I like a cold beer now and again.”
Shabam will showcase the almost 60 new products of Alberta microbreweries while Threinen and 19 other artists provide the visual delights with their paintings and drawings. It’s also licensed for off sales so you can always take home some of your favourite craft brews that might be hard to find at other liquor outlets.
The Kidney Foundation raises money to help fund medical research, provide support to people impacted by kidney disease, and delivers public education.
Shabam takes place starting at 5 p.m. tonight.
Tickets can be purchased online (at www.kidney.ab.ca) for $20 or $25 at the door.
The Mayfield Trade Centre is located at 16615 109 Avenue in Edmonton.
