What: Bandit Benefit
(free concert and dinner)
Where: Victoria Cool Aid Society, 755 Pandora Ave.
When: Saturday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
This week, Eric Raschig and the Turnpike Bandits chatted with a segment of society many of us avoid: the homeless.
These Victoria musicians are spreading the word downtown about the Bandit Benefit, happening Saturday afternoon. It's a free Christmas chili supper and concert, featuring music by the Turnpike Bandits and the Clover Point Drifters. It's the second year Raschig and the Bandits have hosted the event, which drew 600 in 2007.
This year, Raschig expects between 800 and 1,000 needy people will show up for eats (prepared by professional cooks) and tunes at the Victoria Cool Aid Society building on Pandora Avenue. Sponsors include Thrifty Foods, the Mustard Seed and Tim Hortons.
The former truck driver has a special empathy with Victoria's homeless people, having been one himself several years ago. Back then, caught between jobs, Raschig pitched a tent outside the city in the woods, believing it to be safer.
"I was feeling down and depressed about myself," he said. Raschig escaped the cycle by scraping together enough cash to buy dress clothes, an answering machine and a post office box.
Today he has a home of his own and dedicates himself to music-making. The Turnpike Bandits play a country-rock mix in the tradition of Hank Williams and Steve Earle.
Singer-guitarist Raschig (whose stage name is Eric Peterson) writes the original songs with help from his band. The group is mastering a debut EP recording to be released in 2009.
Raschig has found it interesting to reconnect with street people.
"The guys on the street have been saying, 'Cowboy, I can't wait. I'm coming to the chili dinner.' It is very cool," said the musician, who wears a black Stetson.
On the street he talked to half a dozen formerly homeless people who said they had "turned around, gotten off the street, gotten jobs" since attending the first Bandit Benefit.
Raschig said he sympathizes with the homeless in Victoria, who have lately made headlines by camping out in city parks. At the same time, he understands that families are uncomfortable wading through tent cities in parks and other public places.
He believes the answer is creating a "one-stop" building to provide the homeless with housing, medical attention and employment training.
"Give 'em a place to stay," Raschig said.
