What with revolutions around the world starting because of online social networking, it doesn't seem surprising that a concert should start the same way.
That's how the Rock It Steady Christchurch Benefit Concert came about and it is set to be the biggest event so far held in Tauranga to raise help for that troubled city.

Rock It Steady takes place on April 16 at Baypark Stadium and will see eight bands playing through the afternoon along with artists, dancers, giveaways, raffles and food caravans, in what is planned to be a colourful and enjoyable family day, with all proceeds directly benefiting the people of Christchurch.
And organiser Mike Lawrence says the inspiration came through Facebook: 'I made a simple wall post which read ‘Maybe I should hold a concert for the Christchurch Earthquake' and the replies and encouragement I received were almost viral.”
For Mike though, it wasn't just a wild, out of the blue, idea. After the 2004 tsunami tragedy, Hamilton musician Tim Armstrong – who will be bringing his popular Beatles tribute band Abbey Road to Baypark – encouraged Mike to organise an event for tsunami victims and the result was a large outdoor concert.
Since then, Mike has completed a Bachelor of Education degree at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute in Tauranga and his lecturer Barbara Caygill also inspired him to become a charity events promoter in whatever spare time he has, a continuation of his involvement with the Morrinsville Rotary Club where he used to take teenagers from poorer families on trips they could not afford.
Since deciding to arrange a concert here, Mike has been amazed by the power of social networking and by the overwhelming generosity of a wide array of community organisations and businesses that have helped him, ranging from the blessing of the Tauranga City Council and the Ten Days in Tauranga promotion right through to the Rotary clubs from Tauranga assisting with car parking and much more. TD Haulage, Godfreys Haulage, the Mauao Performing Arts Centre – a pile of outfits have come on board to assist with the organisation and setup of the venue, and I'm quite happy to name them here. It's businesses and groups like this who make our community run.
So what do you need to know about the concert? Gates open at noon. The show begins at 2pm sharp and runs until 6pm (or possibly 7pm with delays). Performing will be Brendan Dugan, Kokomo, The Chris Gunn Band, Brilleaux, The Kougar Sistas, Abbey Road, Aaron Saxon, and The Ladykillers, who are Tina Cross, Suzanne Lynch, Jackie Clarke and Taisha (check out their very funny website www.theladykillers.co.nz). Tickets are $15 – available from Baycourt Ticketdirect – with children under 12 just a gold coin donation. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the citizens of Christchurch through the Rotary club which has promised to keep everyone notified about where the money is being spent.
I realise there may be some people who are a little sceptical about this, what might seem to be ‘just another fundraiser for Christchurch'. Especially after news this week that a big Auckland fundraising concert with Tim Finn and hundreds of others was cancelled due to lack of ticket sales. Well bugger that! What do Aucklanders know about fundraising?
The reality of it is that we've all given money to Christchurch already, whether it's in a bucket at the local supermarket or businesses where employees have been donating an hour of their pay each week. There is a certain ‘charity fatigue' that sets in.
But I would urge you to think of this differently.
It's a concert. It's a concert that features a wide range of pretty cool music, from country to blues, from jazz to rhythm ‘n' blues, with a smattering of classic rock and more besides. And it's – at $15 – a really cheap concert. Forget, if you like, the whole fundraising thing, grab the kids and just head along to Baypark for a great day out. And, while you're enjoying a great day out, it can't possibly hurt to know that the small ticket price you paid is going to help people in New Zealand who really need help. Everybody wins.