"Waiting For Justice" Benefit at St. Joseph's Church (Ottawa) April 1, 2006

Dear Friends,

A lot has been happening in my real life, so inevitably my "cyberlife" gets put on the back burner. Sorry for not "touching base" sooner! January's concert with the Open Voices choir in Kingston was fantastic! (See entry below.) Next on the horizon is a benefit concert for the Refugee Outreach Committee of St. Joseph's Church (151 Laurier East -- entry at Wilbrod and Cumberland; click here for a map). Here's how the Committee describes the event:

"Something beautiful will be happening at St. Joe’s on April 1 at 7:30. That’s the date and time of the Maoua Diomande “Waiting for Justice” Benefit concert. Inspiration for this fundraiser came from choir member, Marc Coderre, who has written the song that inspired the name of the concert. The event is being put together by St. Joseph Refugee Outreach Committee in collaboration with the talented performers and production team who have so generously donated their time and gifts to rally round Maoua Diomande as she ‘waits for justice’ in L’Eglise Sacré-Coeur. Proceeds from this concert will go to the ROC’s Sanctuary Fund to help us cover Maoua’s costly legal fees and other sanctuary expenses.

Featured Performers:

Tom Lips (www.tomlips.ca) the beloved singer / songwriter who has been delighting Ottawa audiences on the folk scene for years with his pleasingly deep voice. [Okay, I have to comment on this: "Pleasing" I hope it is, but "deep"? Actually I'm a tenor. Perhaps they meant to say "pleasingly deep lyrics..." --TL] Tom’s eclectic mix of songs run the gamut from tender love ballads to whimsical melodies, to rollicking rock tunes. CDs: Made of Sky, 1999; Practical Man 2004

Karen Lahaise (www.songsforthesoul.ca ) Karen is well known to St. Joseph’s for her involvement with our choir that spans over twenty years. From her first solo role in a high school performance of “Godspell” to the present day, her goal has remained to bring joy, comfort, hope and peace through sharing her musical gifts and experience of the Sacred with her listeners. She is currently awaiting publication of a book of meditations, a companion to her newest CD. CDs: Songs for the Soul, 2001; Shelter of my Heart, 2005.

Pitchou (from All Nations Full Gospel Church): Pitchou Khlala is originally from Congo where he was revered as one of his country’s top musicians. For this performance he will be joined by a group of multi-talented African friends who will have you clapping and stomping your feet in praise and joy.

The Choirs

St. Joseph’s Combined Choir
The Sacré-Coeur Youth Choir
The First Unitarian Congregation S.W.A.T. (Songs Will Always Triumph) Team.

The Emcee: Alex Munter
Alex Munter writes a weekly column about Ottawa in The Citizen and is a visiting professor at the University of Ottawa. He was a municipal councillor representing Kanata from 1991 until 2003 and has recently announced his candidacy for mayor of Ottawa in November, 2006. Alex is the most recent winner of the Community Leader of the Year Award from Leadership Ottawa. He greatly enjoys acting as emcee for worthwhile events and tells us he is very pleased to accept our invitation to host this concert for Maoua.