Spreading the wealth at Ivy Hall
By Chris Simon

Todd Drover performs at the Ivy Cafe - One Night Only Saturday night.

A packed Orange Hall played host to the Ivy Cafe - One Night Only event Saturday evening.

Several local musicians took to the stage, performing in front of family, friends and church members. For $5, the audience sipped tea and coffee and ate a variety of baked goods. All proceeds were donated to the Ivy Presbyterian Church's mission fund, while donated non-perishable food items were given to Youth Haven in Barrie.

"It was a friend of mine that came up with this idea of getting local talent to come out and entertain throughout the evening," said organizer Scott Ferguson. "People can come and go as they please. They have coffee, cookies, donuts, stuff like that, with a $donation and a food item. There are no big headliners, it's just all local talent (playing)."

While no fundraising goal for the evening was set, the money will be used to help the church provide services for several organizations and programs, such as the Turn on the Tap, Christmas Cheer and Youth Haven. It will also be used for organizing a large-scale mission in 2009.

"This is all building up to saving money to go on that mission," said Ferguson.

The event also gives musicians an opportunity to gain some exposure, he said.

"They're going to get recognized. But none of them are here for that," said Ferguson. "They all paid to get in the door. It's just donated time and talent. They're donating it to our church as an outreach, trying to bring people together. It was brought together to get everybody together in the evening."