Blind Dog Donnie's farewell fundraiser

This is posted on behalf and with permission from the executors of Blind Dog Donnie ('Donald Richard Burke') and supported by West End Comunity Association (WECA)

Our local blues legend Blind Dog Donnie left us this year and leaves a huge legacy behind him. Many locals know him for his fun and engaging performances at various West End establishments over the past 3 or so decades including many musical collaborators. Donnie was always bringing out his best for audiences. Always approachable, generous and community-minded, you could always stop and have a chat with Donnie. To celebrate the amazing life Donnie lived in New Orleans style, organisers are putting on a full day to bring community together to celebrate.

We are looking for help to give Donnie the send-off that he deserves and would want us to have! We are hoping to raise $5,000 to cover the costs of the funeral and memorial service, anything left over will be used for a commemorative mural. We'd ideally love to raise $10,000.

To pay tribute to the insurmountable impact he made on the arts community, a whole day of activities including a memorial, bbq, and musical activities have been planned, spanning from the West End Uniting Church to Bunyapa Park finishing at The Boundary Hotel.

Thursday 9th February celebratory activities are as follows:

11:00AM - Memorial Service at the Uniting Church, Sussex St, West End. Followed by tea and coffee

1:00PM - BBQ and acoustic poems and jam at Bunyupa Park

3:30PM - All-Star Jam featuring members of the Blind Dog's previous band mates including the Delta Rhythm Kings, Blind Dog and The Reverend, and the numerous musicians he played with at the Melbourne Hotel, Boundary Hotel and West End Blues Festivals.

6:30pm - West End Shuffle jam at the Boundary Hotel. This will be an open jam for everyone who loved, supported, jammed with, or was moved by Blind Dog's character and person.

10:00PM - Last song. Most Probably the 20th version of the West End shuffle

Here's the Facebook event page for updates and to share your photos and stories - https://www.facebook.com/events/901038901343076

Finally, here's Donnie and his band playing at the Kurilpa Derby in 2017, "West End Shuffle" for a walk down memory lane, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIl0-U9vZ40