HUNDREDS of people are expected to log into an international online music festival aimed at raising funds for stray animals in Bahrain, writes the GDN's Noor Zahra.

Artistes from around the world – including Bahrain, the US, the UK, South Africa, Germany and Poland – will be performing on Facebook Live.

The concert, titled ‘Music to the Rescue’, is the brainchild of Susan Cook who is a volunteer at the Bahrain Animal Rescue Centre (BARC) in Saar.

More than 1,000 people have signed up for the event which will take place tomorrow from 3pm to 8pm.

Briton Ms Cook, who has been living in Bahrain for the past 14 years, said she got the idea after watching an online music event in Spain.

Costa del Sol’s ‘Rock the Lock Down’ which was held last month proved to be a phenomenal success reportedly drawing more than 800,000 members.

“However, I am organising ‘Music to the Rescue’ for a cause; our mission is to help raise money for BARC to look after stray animals.

“A total of 15 professional artistes will be performing free online from around the world.

“The line-up includes three Bahraini performers – Mo Zowayed, May Al Qasim and Ahmed Al Qasim.

“Other artistes include Adel Fairooz and Esraa J, Milala, Christine Gordon, Faith, Paddy Wall, Sandi Thom, Stefan Malinowski and Robyn and Andre from Bahrain, Clarissa from the US, Lelane Souverijn from South Africa, Paul Mark Adams from Germany and Beata Just from Poland.”

Ms Cook said the idea behind the concert was to entertain people as they stay safe in their homes during the current Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) crisis while raising money for the welfare of stray animals.

“The donations will go in helping pay for the BARC in Saar and the newly purpose-built centre in Hamala which is run entirely on donations,” she added.

“It’s a win-win-win situation because people will be helping stray animals while being entertained at home and at the same time promoting artistes who cannot perform due to the pandemic.

“Safety is top priority, that’s why this music festival is online.”

Radio Bahrain host Milala will be anchoring the event and people can donate through PayPal, GoFundMe and Benefit Pay.

The GDN previously reported that the BARC, an initiative spearheaded by Scottish singer-songwriter Sandi Thom, was set up to provide a new home for the animals sheltered at the Dogfather’s Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Saar.

The sanctuary used to house hundreds of stray and abandoned animals including dogs, cats, monkeys, birds and sheep – many having suffered severe abuse and neglect.