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| Montreal - March 24, 2010
Grun vert cafe, a typical and yet not so typical St Denis street cafe, with an international flavor will be the center of much action this coming Saturday, March 27th as Montreal Musicians from diverse backgrounds will come together in support of the efforts in Haiti by Doctors Without Borders (Medecins sans frontiers). Beginning at noon twenty-five acts will perform in twelve hours to be followed by an open jam which continues well into the wee hours of the morning finally concluding at 03:00 AM. To open and close the event Kirk Bennett will join Montreal seasoned pros, performers and composers Carlton Howard, Marty Collier, and Biz Oliver at noon and midnight for the twin-city event which includes sister venue O'Connel's Pub in Ottawa. Celebrating forty-years of music Kirk is excited to participate in this important event organised by Carlton Howard and a handful of other dedicated musicians from the Montreal scene, and hosted by the Proprietor of Grun verte cafe Raymond. "Opportunities like this one to help out those who are suffering and face further horrors cry out for support. Who could say no?" Kirk explains. "When I saw the devastation the day of the earthquake I knew that Montreal musicians would band (no pun intended) together to help out. Evidently there was going to be even more hardship down the road for Haiti. As many people are aware Montreal has always been a haven for the Black community, something all Montrealers have been deeply proud of particularly since the "Underground Railway" which was salvation for many African slaves who sought freedom outside of 19th century United States, and we have a vibrant and active Black and Haitian community both on the island of Montreal and also in the outskirts of the island. Haitians are a permanent part of the Montreal fabric which makes this city very special. Montreal is a blessed place to be for most of us and that adds up to a community of people, including many starving and struggling musicians and other performers, with a great deal of compassion. I'm just one of these folks." |
Since the earthquake
which
left Haiti physically ravaged and crumbled on January 12, 2010 the faces of the
injured and dying have faded for the average Canadian. In this
world of high-technology and instant gratification news lasts only as
long as it can be sensationalized. This leaves us all with a great
deal of work to be done in following-through with needed restructuring
and re-building of Haiti's situation. With spirits high Kirk is
moving into this event with a positive outlook.
"Think of the opportunities which will be created, yes, by all means. And the intended outcome could be something glorious with the right planners and minds. But let's be honest, they are nowhere near that point yet and they are now facing an even greater danger than the earthquake itself. The heavy rains have only last week begun and hurricane season will soon be upon them. Last year's hurricane season was devastating enough, but with the island in such chaos and disrepair, so much danger in the cities due to damage, the prognosis is bleak unless we act now. There's no more time to wait. The need is growing more desperate by the hour." "I abhor the sensationalism of today's media, they are like vultures and why many years ago I left my future in mainstream media, I could not bare the "spin-doctorism" and bend-to-sponsors-whims way of bringing information to the masses. But Haiti's situation is no joke, this is real, and they will be washed away by the hundreds and thousands if we don't act now. Sounds unreal and fantastic, doesn't it? But it's real enough. I urge everyone to investigate this themselves."
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Reinventing
himself after 40 years of playing music Kirk
Bennett is placing his projects on hold until the benefit is over.
After recovering from a near ten-year illness which almost stole the use
of his arms and hands and affecting his central-nervous system
potentially leaving him crippled and unable to play or perform, he is
looking at a promising musical journey in addition to his documentary
filmmaking. His new act, soon to be announced, and his current
film projects "The Purple Invader" and "Taste
Your Freedom" (scheduled for 2010 release) both documentaries,
one about an invasive species, and the other "A brutally frank
expose of our times" are well in production but the Haiti
situation is paramount at this time. He has no qualms about the
delay.
"I've been busting my back-side for over two years to get my projects in full-motion and I'm finally there, or just about, but there are times when we need to put ourselves aside. My rehabilitation has left me incredibly sensitive to the need for better world health, and disasters need to be addressed or they turn worse, just what we're facing in Haiti at the moment. The worst does not have to happen. We're going to see if they are the forgotten ones, yet another set of the ones they left behind. It doesn't have to happen that way." "I want to thank Carlton, Marty and Biz, and the other musicians involved in this event, and especially Raymond at the Grun vert cafe for their dedication to Haiti's cause. Its has become very dear to my heart and is allowing me to focus on the good in people, something I've been needing for a long time. This is what I will get out of this, that's what is in it for me, to know that I am surrounded by real, giving, loving and caring people. What else could one ask for?" Donations will be collected at the door and you are welcome to stay and return as you wish. There is food and beverage at the cafe, Ray and his staff are pleased to serve you, and you are welcomed to sit and enjoy a meal or a drink as you watch. - Please give generously - Montreal
Musicians for Haiti Saturday March 27, 2010 - Noon to 3:00 AM |
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Kirk Bennett teams-up for Haiti 
