It was another classic evening in Nelson. The kind that makes you realize what a special place we live in.

On Saturday night music, charity and of course that special local vibe collided at the Capitol Theatre. It was about checking out the depth of local musical talent, raising money for a worthy cause and most of all celebrating community.

Jude Davison's Circo de Teatro performance was one to remember and came at the perfect time for the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation's CT scanner fundraising campaign.

For those who don't know him, Jude Davison is one of our area's most talented musical minds. He's had a long and impressive career in the music business (sorry about using "long" Jude, but none of us are getting any younger). The album he performed live on Saturday night is his 18th.

I've heard Jude play many local haunts over the years, but until Saturday night hadn't heard the new album (yes, I am still going to call it an "album" regardless of how much that dates me). Walking into the Capitol and seeing all the instruments on the small stage... you knew this was one of Jude's most ambitious projects to date.

Ten minutes to show time the theatre was buzzing. For those who knew Jude's music there was the typical pre-concert anticipation. For those who were there to simply support the CT scanner effort, there was an element of wading into the unknown. From the looks on people's faces there was a whole lot of happiness and pride in our community.

Once the all-star local band walked onto stage it was clear we were in for a great night of music. In a community deep with talent, Davison put together the best of the best. From the opening note they didn't disappoint.

Davison's latest work has been described as a "musical train ride." Indeed. The eclectic mix of musical styles made each song an absolute treat.

So Jude's new album is awesome. The next time he performs it live, you should go see it. If you like music, you should buy Circo de Teatro. But, that's not the point of this column.

The highlight of Saturday night was community and how the people in our neighbourhood can inspire us all to make Nelson a better place.

Davison put a tremendous amount of effort into Saturday's live show — both on the night and the weeks before promoting and setting it up. For his time and effort he asked for no financial reward. It was his donation to the CT scanner. The members of the band — Bessie Wapp, Craig Korth, Darren Mahe, Stephen Parish, Mark Spielman, Keith Todd, Rick Lingard, Tim Bullen, Sydney Galbraith — also donated their time and talents for the fundraising evening.

The result of all the musicians' efforts was a magical night that came at the perfect time.

Foundation workhorse Brian May told me Monday that the evening "epitomized everything we were looking for with this campaign." The creativity of Greater Nelson was on display not only in what folks heard, but in how people like Davison find ways to step up in their own way.

Before the show, the Foundation's Roger Higgins announced the funds raised through the concert pushed the $1.5 million target to the halfway mark. That's impressive. In a few short months the community has raised $750,000 for this important piece of hospital equipment. Little Nelson... $750,000!

Of course there's still a long way to go. Half way through a marathon is, well, half way. For that which has been successfully conquered, there is just as much road ahead. And like a marathon, there are times when you feel you will never cross the finish line.

And so a night of Circo de Teatro can be used to energize all those who have still not stepped up to the plate and those still planning their own ways to chip in.

And there's plenty more in the works.

In February the two Rotary clubs of Nelson are putting on a dinner. Later in the month the Nelson Rod and Club is also hosting a dinner. At the end of the month local medical staff and theatre-types are putting together the IHA Awards (which I'm guessing will take a humourous slant on the local health care picture).

I'm told by the Foundation team that looking towards the spring there is also several other bigger fundraising projects in the works.

Over the months some have criticized the CT scanner fundraising campaign. Some argue the provincial government has been negligent in their duty by forcing locals to raise the cash by themselves. Others say it's too much to ask and takes away from other worthy causes.

To me this campaign is an opportunity. It's a chance to show the rest of the province and each other how much we care about our community. I may or may not ever need to use the CT scanner. But odds are somebody I care about will. To work towards something with the ability to make life better for all of us feels good.

Thanks to Jude and the band for a great night of music and community. Rag & Bone continues to play in my head as a lasting impression of an outstanding event!

Bob Hall is the managing editor at the Daily News. He can be reached at bob@nelsondailynews.com

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