Songs for Syria

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Friday, September 30th, 2016
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Songs for Syria brings together a diverse group of musicians to present an eclectic mix of folk, jazz, Latin, bluegrass and more in a benefit concert to raise funds to bring a Syrian refugee family of four to make a new home in Nanaimo.

An exceptional group of artists are donating their time and talents to make this an exciting evening for all. TerraZetto is a multi-instrumental trio whose music draws from Continental, Latin, and Americana roots featuring guitar, electric bass, stand-up bass, mandolin, bouzouki, and a wide array of percussion. They blend original composition with hand picked traditional tunes from around the world.

Tongue and Groove is a duo consisting of Tracy Myers and Myron Makepeace. Tracy is a drummer/percussionist and spoken word artist with her own fiery brand of feminist musings and commentary on a world gone mad. Myron brings a depth of knowledge and his many gifts in harmony and melody to Tongue and Groove. Mama's Kitchen brings together three singers from diverse backgrounds, singing their own eclectic blend of folk, gospel, bluegrass, blues, and original songs. The group consists of local musicians Joan Wallace, Shirley Whitelaw, and Cyndi Doell. As a duo Joan Wallace and Barry Hall explore blues and jazz standards as well as popular folk songs. Joan sang jazz and blues professionally for many years and has sung locally in cubs and restaurants, most recently with her group, the Martys.

Barry Hall is an accomplished blues guitarist, banjo player and songwriter who has toured across Canada and the US and recorded on Folkways Records. Sue Averill has been performing folk music for over 50 years. She loves its ability to tell a story and get a message across to audiences. She encourages audience participation as it creates a loop of communication and a sense of community like no other activity. Additionally, Trevor Greene, a member of the sponsorship group, will discuss what has led him to be active in refugee sponsorship.

Trevor is a writer, journalist, and a former officer in the Canadian Forces. He sustained a massive brain injury after a much publicized attack on March 4, 2006, in the Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. The Nabil Sponsorship Group has formed late this spring to sponsor a Syrian refugee family, currently in Lebanon, to join our community in Nanaimo where they have an uncle. The family, originally from Aleppo, consists of single father Nabil and his three young daughters.

Admission is by donation.

All proceeds will go towards the sponsorship of Nabil and his daughters as immigrants to Canada. All donations of $50 or more will receive a tax receipt.