Manitoba Live Music Event

About

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.