Beach-based Buskerfest band got its start volunteering

Beach-based Buskerfest band got its start volunteering. Shelter's Kent McDonald on guitar and vocals, centre, is joined by his son Tim, right, Patrick Hamilton on drums and JR Grant on bass. Photo/COURTESY

Longtime Upper Beach resident Kent McDonald said it all got started when he looked into volunteer opportunities at the overnight program for homeless and underhoused individuals at St. Brigid's Catholic Church near Danforth and Woodbine Avenue.

Initially, McDonald thought his family would spend a few hours each week helping out but the program's director indicated they were looking for some live musical entertainment for the guests as music students from the University of Toronto who used to come out on a regular basis could no longer attend.

And that's how McDonald, a seasoned singer and rhythm guitarist, and his son Tim, a talented guitar player, started playing music for the guests each week under the band name Shelter.

"I sort of volunteered our services to play music instead and they really, really appreciated it. It's a really fun atmosphere," said McDonald, adding the guests are really enthusiastic about the music, sometimes joining in, and even make requests.

"The Out of the Cold thing was a total fluke because I wanted to volunteer with my family to clean tables and stuff like that."

This fall, Shelter - which now includes Tim's drummer friend Patrick Hamilton as well as McDonald's buddy JR Grant on bass and backup vocals - will begin its fourth year playing at the local Out of the Cold Program.

Shelter, whose members all hail from the Beach community, practice weekly in the garage of McDonald's home near Gerrard Street East and Malvern Avenue.

The band's members also hone their skills during weekly Tuesday night open mic sessions at Oriental Taste, 329 Queen St. E.

"I've always played music just for fun," said McDonald, a vice-president of finance by day who has played at various events over the years with different bands.

"It's amazing to still be doing something cool with my son."

Tim, who is now 15, got into playing guitar when he was just 10 years old and is now entering Grade 10 at Rosedale Heights School for the Arts.

Because of Shelter's involvement with the OOTC program, the band has been invited to perform at various events including the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon, the Sporting Life Run and other private events, not to mention BuskerFest, which raises funds and awareness for Epilepsy Toronto (a non-profit organization that provides support to more than 40,000 Torontonians living with epilepsy.)

This weekend's event is especially significant to the band as McDonald's wife, Pam, has the chronic neurological disorder.

"A lot of buskers have a connection to epilepsy. They're either affected personally by it or a family member or friend has it," he said.

Specializing in playing classic rock covers like Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones, Shelter participated in the free-of-charge event for the first time last year.

"It was exhausting but also very rewarding. ... It's different playing with the audience so close. You have to ham it up," McDonald said.

"Come and check us out this year at Buskerfest. It's a lot of fun."

Shelter is set to play on Saturday, Aug. 28 from 5 to 11 p.m. and on Sunday, Aug. 29 from 2 to 6:30 p.m. on Wellington Street, just west of the Flatiron building.

Held in the streets surrounding the St. Lawrence Market, BuskerFest will feature more than 100 top performers from around the globe offering a wide range of whimsical talents for all to enjoy.

North America's largest busker festival will run Thursday, Aug. 26 from noon to 10 p.m., Friday, Aug. 27 from noon to 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 28 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 29 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission is by voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto.

Visit www.torontobuskerfest.com or http://www.facebook.com/BuskerFestToronto for more details.