The Northern Quarter’s Black Dog Ballroom is calling on singers and musicians to join karaoke charity night on Saturday for Huntington’s Disease Association.
Manchester friends Tanya Farry, Katy Leeson and Sharlene Hanley are calling on singers – and musicians of all talents – to join them and local players Das Ringmeisters for the ultimate Saturday night for charity.
Tanya was diagnosed with the life-threatening hereditary illness Huntington’s Disease (HD), for which there is no cure, after losing several family members to HD. Nevertheless, she’s wasted no time in turning her tragic story into a positive, with a planned trek of the Great Wall of China happening next year.
The money raised will go to the Huntington’s Disease Association (HDA) to support people affected by the neurodegenerative condition, which causes memory loss, depression and other severe symptoms.
The three friends have raised £1,861.58 so far but are now calling on the public to help them reach the £10,000 needed for sponsorship – and a live karaoke jam in the UK’s best music city kicks it off.
In a heartfelt blog post Tanya, whose father has the defective Huntington’s disease gene, said: “I’ve always said that if I did have Huntington’s disease, I would contribute to research. Three years on, we’re still fundraising and I’ve participated in two medical research studies, in the hope that one day soon those clever scientists will find a cure and others won’t have to go through what our family has been through.”
She added: “By supporting our event and giving to the Huntington’s Disease Association, you are helping to contribute to a brighter future that’s filled with hope, and I want to thank you so much for helping us to achieve that.”
Sharlene Hanley, of Manchester-based digital agency Social Chain, said: “As soon as me and Katy heard about what Tanya and her family had been through, we knew we had to do something, hence The Great Wall of China trek that’s happening next year.
“The idea for Mic Drop LIVE Karaoke came about because we know of the joy that singing can bring – what could better than getting together and singing your heart out to Whitney Houston’s How Will I Know with your friends and a live band? We want to get as many people as possible singing, dancing and laughing.”
Katy Leeson, also of Social Chain, is helping to organise the event too, she said: “Whether you’re a professional singer or just love karaoke, come and join us this Saturday for the best night out you’ll have all year. If you play an instrument, get down – we’re treating this as an open mic where anything goes.”
Mic Drop LIVE takes place from 9pm until late at Blackdog Ballroom Northern Quarter. Tickets are just £5 and are available from Eventbrite. If you can’t make it to the event and would like to donate, please do so through Tanya’s JustGiving page.
