Gimme Shelter South Shore

Benefit Concert for Be the Peace Institute & Second Story Women’s Centre

May 30, 2026 - Lunenburg Opera House

The Gimme Shelter Benefit Concert helped raise over $12,000 for Second Story Women's Centre and Be The Peace Institute!

This was a true community collaboration and such an uplifting evening of music and connection for a cause that affects so many.

Another big and grateful shout out to the many sponsors, donors, organizers, performers, supporters, helpers, appreciators and auction bidders!

So appreciative of the community support so we can continue this important work of service and advocating for change.

Scroll on for more info & photos from the event!

The Event

Nova Scotia’s foremost female vocalists united to bring you GIMME SHELTER South Shore 2026, a benefit concert on May 30th to raise funds for Second Story Women’s Centre and Be the Peace Institute.

Inspired by the idea of women helping women, and with the desire to combat gender-based violence and housing insecurity in our communities, Nova Scotia jazz musician and actor Cynthia Myers approached Second Story Women’s Centre and Be the Peace Institute to create a sister fundraiser to her successful Gimme Shelter Halifax event in 2025. Together with emcee and performer Patricia Watson, pianist Erin Donovan and several of the finest female vocalists in the province, Cynthia has been tirelessly organizing GIMME SHELTER South Shore.

Cynthia Myers is a seasoned performer, arts educator and the former lead vocalist with the Swingology band who now fronts the Cynthia Myers Trio.

Erin Donovan is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, composer and creator of interdisciplinary work as the Artistic Director of Hear Here Productions, and a percussionist with Symphony Nova Scotia.

Patricia Watson is winner of The African Nova Scotia Music Association's "Rising Star" award and the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

Emcee/Performer Patricia Watson welcomed vocalists, Kristin Martell, Amelia McMahon, Michelle Mock, Tricia Snell, along with special guests Four Shore and F.U.N Ukelele to join jazz musician and event organizer Cynthia Myers onstage for an unforgettable evening of song and music.

There was also an Online Auction, featuring a wide variety of unique items, experiences, and local treasures all donated by generous local businesses. Many thanks to Dawn Curry for setting this up!

Funds raised at Gimme Shelter South Shore will help Second Story Women’s Centre and Be the Peace Institute provide programing and vital services to women, gender diverse people and families seeking support, and the advocacy, prevention and system change work to alter the patterns that allow gender-based violence to persist at high rates in Nova Scotia.

GIMME SHELTER was more than a unique opportunity to catch many of Nova scotia’s finest vocalists on one stage. It was also an opportunity for music lovers to offer concrete support and solidarity to survivors in our community through two community organizations dedicated to ending gender-based violence for all.

With heartfelt thanks to all of our generous sponsors!

Champions

The Nellie Row
Raymond James Financial

Benefactors

Chicory Blue General Store
Lunenburg Bound
Belliveau Veinotte
Luczac & Associates
TD Investment, Inc.
BMO Nesbitt Burns

Patrons

Printer’s Corner
Caico-Mae Clothiers
Harry Mangalam & Marian Waterman
Tom Myers
The Knot Pub
Sue Bookchin & Derek Wentzell
Kinley Drug PharmaChoice
Northwest Trading Company
House of Aurum

Supporters

Patricia & David Watson
Mosaic Treasures of the World
Amos Pewter
Boheme Brow Bar
Bella Dental
McKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, Ltd.
Mary Meisner
Rose Bay General Store
Royal LePage Atlantic
The UPS Store
Saltbox Brewery
The Water Market
Fancy Pants Coffee Shop
Dave’s Vacuum Clinic, Ltd.
Francis’ Your Independent Grocer
Wild Side Gardens
Salt and Honey Holistic Health and Wellness
Eunice Harker
Lunenburg Foodland
Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home
Nova Functional Assessment
Laughing Whale Coffee Roasters
Rev. Vivian Moores