By Chad Ingram

Jeff Austin is bringing the beat to the Pinestone on Saturday July 27 for One Night of Drums a concert fundraiser for the Haliburton Youth Hub.

“I just had a friend say they [the youth hub] were looking for donations” says Austin. Opened last year the hub which provides a safe space for teenagers to hang out is located in the former Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Haliburton Village and is a project co-lead by Point in Time and Haliburton Highlands Health Services.

Originally from Haliburton County Austin was a professional musician for years including with his own band The Jeff Austin Project. Austin will be playing drums along to his 2002 album Go Big or Go Home along with tunes from a host of bands who rose to prominence in the 1980s.

“I’m just going to do a ton of ’80s” he says of the songs he’ll be playing the night of the show including ones by bands such as Whitesnake Rush Bon Jovi and Motley Crue.

“There’ll be a great show it’ll be great sound and lighting” Austin says adding there’ll also be some live drum lessons taking place on stage.

“I’m going to get some audience participation” he says.

“Come out and support a great cause” says Austin who moved back to the county in 1999 adding it’s important the county’s youth have somewhere to go to keep them off the streets. “We’ve got the skateboard park which really helps.”

Tickets for the show which is for those 19 years of age or older are $25 each. They are available in Haliburton at the Pinestone and Canoe FM and in Minden at Organic Times and Pharmasave. Tickets can also be ordered by calling 705-455-7449.