Vancouver’s ‘Keithmas’ food bank fundraiser celebrates sweet 16 anniversary on Saturday

The world’s longest-running Keith Richards-themed Christmas party is back. Keithmas XVI:  A Food Bank Fundrager is set for Saturday night at Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre.

The benefit concert takes its name from the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist and features local bands performing Stones songs and selections from his solo catalogue. It usually takes place on or around Dec. 18.

“Keith’s birthday is Dec. 18, and I think he’ll be 82 this year. So, yes, it is a commingling of Christmas and Keith Richards’ birthday,” said John Hewer, one of the co-founders of Keithmas.

Hewer recalls the event started small, first at the Fairview Pub and then at the Electric Owl — two now-defunct live music venues in Vancouver. He is proud that it’s still going strong at its current home, the Rickshaw Theatre.

“It blows my mind when I think about it. When we started the event, you could get in free with a can of food, and I think our attendance was around 100 people,” Hewer said.

“We’ve gone from those humble beginnings to a point where we’re now aiming to raise about $50,000, which would put our total at over $300,000 for the Food Bank over the 16 years we’ve been in existence. So, it’s been amazing.”

100 per cent of ticket proceeds still go to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

“I mean, they’re great people, obviously, because what they do is incredible,” said Hewer.

“They come to the show now every year and set up a booth. And somebody representing the food bank will come on stage and say a few words and launch the show. So, they’ve been great supporters of us and are very enthusiastic that we keep doing it every year.”

Hewer says this year’s line-up is particularly eclectic.

“We have historically had a couple of acts that we call legacy acts,” he said.

“So, Rich Hope is headlining again this year. He has just recently put out a new live album. He’s phenomenal. La Chinga is back again. And then we have a real mixed bag. We’ve got Honey Bear opening. They’re a real soul R&B band. We’ve got Mary Ancheta, who’s a soul jazz artist. We’re also going out on a limb a little bit with Peregrine Falls. That’s an avant-garde jazz act, and they’re going to be interpreting the Stones, so that will be something to see.”

Once again, Keithmas is all sold out.

“We’ve sold out for the last — conservatively — I’d say five years. And it could even be longer. We sell out every year, and this year we literally sold 300 plus tickets in under 24 hours, I think it was,” said Hewer.

“Every year it has become more and more popular.”

The doors open at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.