Now in its 9th year, the Open Door Music Festival of Music, once again brings great music and much needed support to the Red Door Family Shelter in Toronto. The November 18 festival once again takes place at the Mod Club Theatre on College St.
Founded in 1982, the Red Door Family Shelter provides emergency housing for families seeking escape from violent situations, people facing eviction, as well as refugees. It maintains 156 beds in two locations in the GTA, 24 hour support, and is a not-for-profit agency. Assistance for families beyond the shelter stay is also made available.
The Open Door Music Festival of Music began in 2000 when Marysia Czarski asked Sharon Ross to help bring talented musicians together to support a worthy cause. For the two friends, it’s an event that is very close to their hearts.
As a supporter of independent music, Sharon said, “It made a lot of sense for me to help create an event that combined that love with a way of making a real and immediate difference for a local charitable organization.”
“The festival is totally grassroots with no budget really,” Sharon adds. The money generated by the Open Door Festival goes directly to the Red Door Family Shelter. The performers, organizers, volunteers and Mod Club all generate their time, talent and good will to the benefit. No one is paid.
The Open Door Festival is a night that does benefit everyone. Each of the performers gains valuable exposure to new audiences, as well as having a chance to connect with local and national talent.
One of this year’s performers, Lentic (Ember Swift), has performed at the festival twice before. Lentic is Ember’s new folktronic art. Her new music is folk and electronic and described as, “Chinese traditional instrumentation takes the hand of Western song structure and leads it to the dance floor.” The Open Door festival is a special event for Ember and feels it’s an opportunity to support the cause through her art.
“There are lots of ways to help people every day, but when I can lend my music and it can have a direct positive effect, it feels like I’m donating with the most precious and plentiful currency I possess. I’m the grateful one,” she said.
Lisa MacIsaac will be playing the festival this year as part of the duo Madison Violet along with Brenley MacEachern. The duo has played the festival three times before, first as “Zoebliss” and later as Madviolet. It was “A couple of moons ago,” Lisa says.
Speaking of the Red Door Family Shelter, Lisa adds, “You never know when someone you know will be in that situation.” She describes the night as a chance for artists to give back for something that can be “hard on the heart.”
For anyone who has never been to the festival, they can expect some of the nation’s best music. Madison Violet draws new fans all their shows with their alt-country music. Their Mod Club appearance will be a stripped down sound with fiddle, mandolin and lots of harmonies.
This year the festival helped create The Red Door Song. Local Toronto songwriter, Sara Kamin, along with part of the “Song Division” from New York, 30 or so children, parents and festival workers, co-wrote the song.
The rest of the Open Door festival line up this year includes Adam Solomon, Hannah Georgas, Major Maker, and Diana Braithewaite and Chris Whiteley.
Adam Solomon is a 2005 Juno Award winner who sings in six-languages. Hannah Georgas is an indie pop artist from Vancouver. Major Maker are Canadian indie rock stars Todo Kobakov and LindyVopnfjord (Lindy).
Full details for the benefit are:
The 9th annual 'OPEN DOOR' Festival of Music BENEFIT
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
@ The MOD CLUB
722 College St. W. Toronto, Ontario
Doors at 6:30, Music at 7pm sharp!
www.myspace.com/opendoorfestival
www.opendoorfestival.com
$15 advance ($20 at the door)
Tickets available online at www.opendoorfestival.com and at:
Rotate This (620 Queen St W.), Soundscapes (572 College St. W.), Toronto Women's Bookstore (73 Harbord St.) and This Ain't the Rosedale Library (86 Nassau St. in Kensington Market).
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