An all-genre music festival featuring 30 Western Australian bands will be lighting up the Burlington Hotel on June 29 in tribute to a Bunbury woman who was tragically murdered last year.
Stop the Violence 6, Sunflowers for Cara was created by Kelvin Edward Whitwell as a way to bring those who were grieving Cara Hales' death together in a positive way.
"Cara is somebody that was very close to me, she was such a vibrant person, whenever she walked into a room, she lit it up," he said.
"The ripple effect from Cara's death has just been amazing, through her immediate family and loved ones who were really grieving but also from musicians and strangers all around Australia - it's like Cara's death has brought so many people together in a really loving way."
Whitwell said all money raised from the festival would be donated to Relationships Australia as Cara had put herself into a safe house in Perth to escape a domestic violence situation when she was murdered by a stranger.
"It's about standing together against domestic violence and violence against women, this show was created as a safe space in a world that is not going the way that we want it to go," he said.
"Cara was a massive music lover, very artistic, very colourful and that is why this festival is in tribute to her."
"The first bands I booked for this show were bands that Cara had on a short list, it was on her bucket list to create the Celebration of Life festival."
Whitwell said Cara had loved sunflowers with her mum creating packs of sunflower seeds to give out to festival-goers on the night.
"There has been a lot of tears putting this together, it's just amazing how it has given us all something to focus on," he said.
"It's like Cara has been with us every step of the way."
This is the sixth Stop the Violence concert Whitwell has organised with the upcoming festival the first to feature a range of musical genres.
Three themed stages will play host to bands covering jazz-punk, celtic folk, hip-hop, rock and country with the Global Music Machine team transforming the Burlington Hotel's three rooms into the Dinosaur Den, Sparkle Lounge and the Stella Stage.
"There is going to be something here for everybody," Whitwell said.
"If there ever was a time to support WA artists this is it - they are behind this cause 100 per cent.
"It's going to be a really sentimental night."
Those who purchase tickets online will receive a Metal Heads against Bullying t-shirt and go into the draw to win $750 worth of cash and prizes.
To purchase tickets visit eventbrite.com.au.
