The Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers Campaign
I first heard Stephen Lewis speak in 2003, shortly after he had returned home from Africa. He shared stories of the lives of those left behind after an entire generation had been effectively wiped out by the AIDS pandemic, leaving behind primarily grandmothers with the responsibility of caring for all of their grandchildren, because all of their children had died. Their stories resonated deeply, perhaps because I myself had just lost a child at the time, and I could barely conceive of enduring the loss of one child, let alone many. In 2006 the Regina Chapter of the Stephen Lewis Grandmothers for Grandmothers Campaign was formed, and in time I became fully involved. The following concerts were organized respectively by the Regina G4G and the Port Alberni PAGO Grannies chapters of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
I first heard Stephen Lewis speak in 2003, shortly after he had returned home from Africa. He shared stories of the lives of those left behind after an entire generation had been effectively wiped out by the AIDS pandemic, leaving behind primarily grandmothers with the responsibility of caring for all of their grandchildren, because all of their children had died. Their stories resonated deeply, perhaps because I myself had just lost a child at the time, and I could barely conceive of enduring the loss of one child, let alone many. In 2006 the Regina Chapter of the Stephen Lewis Grandmothers for Grandmothers Campaign was formed, and in time I became fully involved. The following concerts were organized respectively by the Regina G4G and the Port Alberni PAGO Grannies chapters of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
PAGO Grannies Benefit Concert Port Alberni, B.C. October 2016
It was delightful to return to Char's Landing again for another opportunity to work with the PAGO Grannies to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation and awareness about the work it does to support the African grandmothers who are raising over 18 million children orphaned by AIDS.
It was delightful to return to Char's Landing again for another opportunity to work with the PAGO Grannies to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation and awareness about the work it does to support the African grandmothers who are raising over 18 million children orphaned by AIDS.
The event was a success, drawing in over 115 people and raising $1500 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation: twice the amount raised and almost twice the number of people in attendance two years earlier. The audience was everything an artist could hope for - engaged, appreciative, generous - and I was very touched to discover that many had been at my concert two years earlier and were returning for more!
PAGO Grannies Benefit Concert Port Alberni, B.C. October 2014
Seventy five people attended the Sunday afternoon concert, raising $750 in funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The venue at Char's Landing was an historic church, restored now and converted into a lovely performance and cultural venue that has something going on every night. Congratulations PAGO Grannies for all your hard work promoting this event.
Seventy five people attended the Sunday afternoon concert, raising $750 in funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The venue at Char's Landing was an historic church, restored now and converted into a lovely performance and cultural venue that has something going on every night. Congratulations PAGO Grannies for all your hard work promoting this event.
At the end of the concert I was given a gift basket from the PAGO Grannies. The presenter is none other than my sister-in-law Anne, one of the founding members of the PAGO Grannies. It was primarily her initiative that got the concert going, and her team of committed Grannies who made it the success it was.
Thank you for a beautiful opportunity to share my music and stories with such a respectful and engaged audience, and to perform at Char's Landing - such a special venue.
G4G Regina Annual Gala May 2014
As the featured performer in the program, I did an acoustic set, but also performed a jazz set with Black Magic during the cocktail hour. These African masks provided a beautiful, vibrant backdrop for the performance. The event was held at the Queensbury Downs Convention Centre, and attended to a sold out audience of over three hundred.
As the featured performer in the program, I did an acoustic set, but also performed a jazz set with Black Magic during the cocktail hour. These African masks provided a beautiful, vibrant backdrop for the performance. The event was held at the Queensbury Downs Convention Centre, and attended to a sold out audience of over three hundred.
G4G SISTERS FOR SISTERS BENEFIT CONCERT MAY 2009
This concert was my first major involvement with G4G Regina, and major it was. In September of 2008 I presented the idea of having a multi act music event to the Regina Chapter Grandmothers. They agreed to support the initiative, and six months later a music concert with four separate performances, headlined by Little Miss Higgins, was recorded live by the CBC and raised several thousand dollars for the foundation. It was the first music event for the Regina Grandmothers. The Regina G4G Chapter has since sponsored two other music events, one featuring the nationally and internationally renowned artist Jack Semple, and the other equally renowned Jeffery Strakker.
This concert was my first major involvement with G4G Regina, and major it was. In September of 2008 I presented the idea of having a multi act music event to the Regina Chapter Grandmothers. They agreed to support the initiative, and six months later a music concert with four separate performances, headlined by Little Miss Higgins, was recorded live by the CBC and raised several thousand dollars for the foundation. It was the first music event for the Regina Grandmothers. The Regina G4G Chapter has since sponsored two other music events, one featuring the nationally and internationally renowned artist Jack Semple, and the other equally renowned Jeffery Strakker.
G4G Regina presents Sisters for Sisters
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Bev Zizzy
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Little Miss Higgins
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Brittany Kraus
Louisiana Jane and the Zydeco Hurricane
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The Entire Cast of Performers