For Immediate Release
Manitoba Artists Join Forces for “Choose Your Charity” Concert Series
Thursday night event features Flo, Don Amero, James Struthers & others!
(January 13, 2012 – Winnipeg, MB) Eight Manitoba recording artists are banding together to raise money for charity as part of a newly-created concert series. The “Choose Your Charity” weekly series of concerts is spearheaded by organizer and musician James Struthers, and kicks off at the Winnipeg Free Press News Café (237 McDermot Ave.) on Thursday January 26, 2012.
During the Choose Your Charity series, each artist gets their own Thursday showcase at the News Café, and picks a charity to collect donations for. Struthers will emcee and perform an opening set for each week’s highlighted performer:
Thurs. Jan. 26 @ 7 p.m. - JD Edwards (charity: Manitoba Mutts)
Thurs. Feb. 2 @ 7 p.m. - Katie Murphy (charity: Beyond Borders ECPAT Canada)
Thurs. Feb. 9 @ 7 p.m. - Keri Latimer (charity: West Central Women's Resource Centre)
Thurs. Feb. 16 @ 7 p.m. - Don Amero (charity: Agape Table)
(Reading Week – series intermission)
Thurs. Mar. 1 @ 7 p.m. - Flo (charity: World Vision)
Thurs. Mar. 8 @ 7 p.m. - Thrift Store Love (charity: CancerCare Manitoba Foundation)
Thurs. Mar. 15 @ 7 p.m. - Hayley Gene (charity: W.I.S.H. Inc.)
Thurs. Mar. 22 @ 7 p.m. - James Struthers (charity: Winnipeg Harvest)
Admission is $15 at the door; or $10 with a non-perishable food item for Winnipeg Harvest.
“The purpose of the Choose Your Charity series is to try and encourage people to choose something they are passionate about and make a difference,” says Struthers, who was inspired to pioneer the concert series after attending Free the Children’s WE Day initiative at MTS Centre in November.
Struthers chose Winnipeg Harvest and will be collecting non-perishable food items throughout the series. “I remember helping organize food drives when I was in elementary and high school. I delivered hampers a few times when I was in high school. I truly believe Winnipeg Harvest makes a big difference in our city. Food is one of the basic necessities of life and they offer that to people,” says Struthers.
Winnipeg Harvest Executive Director David Northcott weighed in on the Choose Your Charity event, saying: “We are delighted people choose relationships that make a difference in the community. What better relationship than artists who reflect the soul of society.”
Musician Keri Latimer chose the Ellice Avenue-based West Central Women’s Resource Centre, which offers a variety of programming like a drop-in service and Parent Mentor Program. “Since becoming a mother, I’ve become intensely aware of how much the support and knowledge of my community strengthens me and my family. It is something all mothers should be able to be a part of,” says Latimer.
Parenthood also steered musician Katie Murphy’s decision. She has two daughters. Murphy chose Beyond Borders ECPAT Canada to raise money for. Beyond Borders works to prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. “In 2011, I read far too many sad and disturbing news stories about children being sexually abused. Hockey and football coaches, movie makers and bishops - leaders and mentors all - being revealed as pedophiles and sexual abusers of children. Equally disturbing to me is the culture of silence; of ignoring or covering up the evidence, of failing to protect those children and hold the abusers accountable,” says Murphy.
All monies raised during the evening go directly to the artist’s chosen charity.
To set up an interview with Choose Your Charity Concert Series organizer James Struthers, please contact:
Lisa Saunders, publicist
Sound Strategy Music
e. lisa@soundstrategy.ca
p. 204.799.4641
www.soundstrategy.ca
“Choose Your Charity” Artists and their selected charities:
James Struthers – www.jamesstruthers.com – “Choose Your Charity” organizer, emcee and host.
With his deep blue eyes, disarming smile and cool, calm demeanor, James Struthers may be a 22-year-old heartthrob; but his allure goes far beyond the sightlines. He’s also an incredibly gifted songwriter and guitarist with a soulful voice and a young, aspiring business man with relentless, DIY work ethic. In less than two years, James has toured the country five times, released two EPs, four music videos, and has cracked the Canadian AC charts with his festive single ‘Blue Christmas’. James and WCMA award winning ‘Producer Of The Year’ Arun Chaturvedi are working on a full length album to be released in the spring, which will be accompanied by North American tour dates.
James Struthers’ charity:
Winnipeg Harvest is a non-profit, community based organization that is a food distribution and training centre. Its goals are to collect and share surplus food with people who are hungry and to offer training opportunities to help people step up and out of poverty. Winnipeg Harvest’s ultimate goal is to eliminate the need for food banks in the Winnipeg community.
JD Edwards - www.reverbnation.com/thejdedwardsband - The JD Edwards Band is a six piece Winnipeg based group with a fascinating history and a brand new story to tell. Together since 2006, this ever evolving group is driven by the uniquely infectious, engaging and heartfelt songwriting of band leader JD Edwards. JD’s eclectic songwriting style draws from a wide variety of musical experiences, honing a loud and gritty repertoire heavily influenced by Country, Blues, R & B, and Soul.
JD Edwards’ charity:
Manitoba Mutts is a 100% volunteer-run dog rescue based in Winnipeg. They take in dogs from all over Manitoba who have been abandoned, abused or surrendered at no fault of their own. At Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue, volunteers believe that every dog deserves to be treated as a cherished member of the family. All this is done with the invaluable assistance of foster homes. As Manitoba Mutts does not have a facility, it relies fully on volunteers to take these dogs into their homes and teach them what it feels like to be loved.
Katie Murphy – www.katiemurphy.ca – After seven weeks in the Top Ten, Katie Murphy's newest single Oooo! (She's got a lot going on!) charted at #1 on 92.9 KICK FM – and stayed in the station’s top spot for four weeks during October/November 2011. Oooo! is the lead track off of Murphy's recent EP Exes & Uh Ohs, released in the spring of 2011 following a national tour. The song also caught the attention of L.A.'s NOMA Music. In June of 2011, Murphy signed a deal with NOMA to pursue licensing opportunities for the EP.
Katie Murphy’s charity:
Beyond Borders ECPAT Canada is a registered charity without political or religious affiliation advancing the rights of children everywhere to be free from sexual abuse and exploitation. Beyond Borders works to raise awareness, advocate for improved legislation to protect children, monitor court cases for human rights violations, and promote/support effective prevention and intervention initiatives. Beyond Borders also intervenes in court cases to provide a voice for victims, and provides training and education.
Keri Latimer – www.myspace.com/kerilatimer - Keri has been writing, recording and performing with the band “Nathan” since 1999. For her musical work, Keri has received Western Canadian Music Awards, Canadian Folk Music Awards, plus a Juno Awards nomination. In 2008 she collaborated with Peter Golub and Shahzad Ismaily on the musical score for the film “Frozen River” which was nominated for two Academy Awards, and won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Keri has just completed an albums worth of songs. “Crowsfeet and Greyskull” will be released in the spring of 2012.
Keri Latimer’s charity:
The West Central Women's Resource Centre started in 1999 as a three-year project in response to the high number of women in their neighbourhood living in poverty. Since that time the Centre has grown to offer a variety of support and services to the whole community. Their vision is for a healthy, sustainable, equitable, just and peaceful community where women's knowledge and experience is valued and respected.
Don Amero – www.donamero.com - 2011 Native American Music Award Winner (Best Folk Album);
2011 Western Canadian Music Award Winner (Aboriginal Album of the Year). Don has toured from coast-to-coast, headlined concerts, presented at festivals, performed with the symphony, and appeared on national television. His music has generated four awards and 18 nominations, his talent and ambition receive ongoing acclaim, and his determination inspires countless youth.
Don Amero’s charity:
Founded in 1980 by a volunteer Board of Directors, Agape Table was established to serve free hot meals to people in the inner city. Thirty years later, Agape Table still serves a hot meal at the breakfast hour without qualification or judgment. Today, Agape Table offers so much more than emergency food. Our subsidized breakfast and Low Cost Grocery offer our community members access to the nutrition that they need. Our Agape Table for Kids program offers market quality produce to families in need.
Flo – www.flosoul.com - Flo is a Canadian R & B phenomenon who’s graced the stage at many a festival and concert with the likes of Boys II Men, 112, Burton Cummings superstar songstress, Lauryn Hill. Flo was born to shine. Strong and intelligent, the chocolate-honey alto that comes so naturally to her sends her audiences soaring. Her melodies ring in your mind for days. Flo is emotion and truth juxtaposed. Her musical style is firmly rooted in R&B, with generous infusions of soul, jazz, and a hint of pop.
Flo’s charity:
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. As followers of Jesus, we are motivated by God's love for all people regardless of race, religion, gender or ethnicity.
Thrift Store Love – www.thriftstorelove.net – Winnipeg alt-pop band Thrift Store Love is a new band which formed out of the ashes of Blueprint Gallery and Arbra Hill, and features the talented Kelly Robinson on vocals (2005 Independent Music Award Finalist), Russell Chan on guitar, Leigh Fischer on Bass, Mike Shawcross on drums and Lisa Saunders on keyboards. The lively group of musicians has been busy playing shows at The Park Theatre, Winnipeg Free Press News Café and The Loft Gastropub, while preparing for some spring touring and western Canadian dates. The band is also busy recording a three-song demo of their new material, including their popular song “He Likes Boys” – which always gets the crowd going at live shows.
Thrift Store Love’s charity:
The CancerCare Manitoba Foundation is the only organization exclusively fundraising for CancerCare Manitoba. CancerCare Manitoba’s main aim is to eradicate a disease consisting of more than 150 types and stages. A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Up-to-date information regarding treatment options, resources and services are vital as patients and families make their way through the cancer journey, from diagnosis to treatment. While CancerCare Manitoba works in partnership with Manitoba Health, some programs and services are not eligible for government funding.
Hayley Gene – http://www.myspace.com/hayleygene - Gravitating to all things musical, Hayley Gene has grown into a confident, talented songwriter and performer. Her lyrics are poetic, her melodies memorable and her voice clearly engages the soul. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Hayley Gene began her musical career with the a capella quartet The 4 Corners. Hayley Gene and The 4 Corners have toured across Canada performing with her father Fred Penner and that experience has greatly influenced her musical career and encouraged her to begin her own journey.
Hayley Gene’s charity:
W.I.S.H. Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization that provides women and their children affected by domestic violence with secure and safe on-site housing, individual and group therapeutic counseling, support programs, advocacy, and connection with community resources. W.I.S.H. offers women and their children the opportunity to heal and grow in a cooperative, caring environment with other families who have shared similar experience. W.I.S.H. believes that families must be free from danger to break the cycle of violence.
