PRIDE: The Approximators donate BIA grant to Speqtrum
Live karaoke band made the contribution because ‘our regulars and our shows are by definition and by design extremely inclusive.’
Hamilton-based live karaoke band The Approximators will donate $1,000 to Speqtrum, a program for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in the city.
The grant will be donated to Speqtrum and the YWCA Hamilton on June 27 during a Pride party at Ooey Gooey’s, the band said in a press release provided to HAMILTON CITY Magazine.
The money comes from a local grant given to the band by the Hess Village business improvement area. The band, which performs monthly at Ooey Gooey’s, were recommended by the venue’s owners.
Nathan Whitlock, the band’s drummer/booker, said he immediately let the rest of the band know about the grant. “And even as I let them know, I was thinking, well, we can't keep it. We have to pass it on. We don't do this for money ... We do this to create this sort of community event.”
Whitlock said it was Tom Shea, the band's guitarist and onstage vocal coach who initially thought of Speqtrum. The Approximators had reached out to Speqtrum to donate before. While it didn’t work out the first time due to timing, the organization remained on the band's radar.
“Partly it's the connection with the YWCA. It's the fact that our audience and our regulars and our shows are by definition and by design extremely inclusive … So it felt like it was aligned, the two, the mission was aligned with that space,” Whitlock said.
Speqtrum aims to build community in the city’s 2SLGBTQIA+ population by providing programs and support, according to its website. Some of the listed supports include programming serving Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ newcomers to Canada, and social events catering to members of the community.
“It felt important in a weird way that we not keep the money and that we find an organization that deserves the money more than just, you know, a band playing Celine Dion songs and Green Day songs on a Saturday night,” Whitlock said.
In the press release from The Approximators, Lidia Siino, corporate & community engagement coordinator for YWCA Hamilton, expressed thanks for the donation. “Partnerships like this help create safer, more inclusive spaces where young people can build confidence, connection, and community. It’s always inspiring to see local artists using their platform to give back in such a thoughtful way. Thank you to The Approximators … you rock!”
The YWCA-Speqtrum website states, “We firmly believe in supporting EVERYONE under the rainbow, and we don’t draw lines about whose identity counts, and whose does not.”
The Approximators formed in 2023. They play a live karaoke show at Ooey Gooey’s every month and are hosting a Pride show June 27. They are also scheduled to perform at Hamilton’s Fringe Festival in July.
