As communities all over Ireland rally to help the victims of the escalating crisis in Ukraine, a fundraising dance is being organised tonight (Friday).

Knocknagree promoter John Joe Herlihy is stepping up to the plate and organising the dance from which all proceeds will go to the Red Cross Emergency Ukraine Appeal.Well known to dancers from all over Munster, John Joe is credited with hosting the best bands, singers and musicians in venues around Kerry, Cork and Limerick over the past several decades. He is also well known for his numerous donations through the years to hospitals, hospices and other worthy causes through his fundraising drives.As the war in Ukraine became ever more visible on our TV screens and various social media platforms over the past two weeks, John Joe began to organise this current fundraiser which will take place at the CYMS Hall in Newmarket, Co. Cork tonight (Friday) night beginning at 9pm.Peter Burke, who is one of the most 'in demand' entertainers on the circuit will headline the event. Peter is a native of Cork but has been living in Tipperary for several years. Joining Peter on stage will be Sheila Fitzgerald and Elle Marie O'Dwyer.Sheila, from Ballydesmond, on the Cork/Kerry border, is well known to audiences all over the country and indeed in the UK and USA where she has toured internationally. She has just released a brand new video 'He's There for Me' dedicated to the people of Ukraine, which can be viewed on her Facebook page and on YouTube. Over the past six months, Sheila's recent video 'Silver & Gold' has been aired several times on the music channels on Sky TV, as well as receiving extensive airplay on radio stations here in Ireland and abroad.Elle Marie O'Dwyer who is a native of Freemount, is hugely popular on the traditional music scene. She has won numerous awards for her singing and has toured with several headline acts in the traditional genre. In addition, she is hugely popular on radio and has an extensive collection of her songs on YouTube.John Joe, Peter, Sheila and Elle Marie are looking forward to playing to a hopefully full house in Newmarket.