Operator Paul Clarkson rallies local bars and businesses to stream event and raise money for charity
ABERDEEN bars will join forces this Sunday (May 3) to stage Virtual May Day after the coronavirus closure put the brakes on one of the busiest days for the trade in the city.
Organised by Paul Clarkson, whose PB Devco group operates a number of outlets in the city, including Soul, 21 Crimes, College and Vovem Meat & Liquor, Virtual May Day will bring together more than 15 local businesses to provide 12 hours of live music, cocktail tutorials and food and drink deliveries.
The event will raise funds for two charities – Mental Health Aberdeen and NHS Grampian Endowment Fund – via a GoFundMe page.
Streamed live on YouTube, Virtual May Day kicks off at 12noon with live music from Myke Black, followed by DJ Sets from Revolucion de Cuba, Siberia, Trash Disco, Paramount, Soul and Revolution. Consumers can also watch cocktail masterclasses from participating bars; May Day cocktail and food ideas from Rutabaga; view fashion and beauty tips and tutorials from Aberdeen stores and salons Tiger Lily Boutique, Linton & Mac, Vanity Studio and NailCo; and receive an online discount at Signature Menswear and Tiger Lily Boutique. Other companies on board for the event include Touch of Class DJ Services, which is supplying DJs, equipment and tech services; Muchacho Mexican Street Food; Melt Grilled Cheese Shop; Rutabaga drinks deliveries; and Aberdeen Taxis, which is offering collection and delivery services.
Paul said Virtual May Day aims to “bring everyone together in these tough times”.
“The Sunday before the May Day bank holiday is really big in Aberdeen – it’s one of the busiest days of the year for trade – and we had things planned which we obviously had to cancel,” he said.
“My brother Barry had been doing some online DJing on Friday nights under the Soul banner so I thought I would try and get other bars onboard and pull together a day of live streaming.
“I wanted to bring local businesses together to try and create something fun and I’ve been so chuffed with the response.
“The togetherness is amazing; it’s so heartening. We’re all trying to help each other through the tough times and we’re supporting two great local charities.
“As long as we can raise some money and put a smile on folks’ faces during this time I’ll be happy.
“And if we can learn from this and take some of this collaboration and working together into our working lives after this that will be a great achievement.”
