Help For Haiti (A List of Fundraisers)

I've gotten alot of info about Haiti and various fundraisers to help with the relief effort since the earthquake struck there eight days ago. My initial inclination was to back off of most of it. There are news organizations everywhere giving the latest information out of Haiti and offering you resources to help with donating money. The CBC has a very good page and a list of reputable charities at cbc.ca/haitirelief.

Being that this is a Canadian music site and international disaster and relief is way outside of our subject area I didn't want to seem like I was using the disaster for self promotion (the way CNN always does). That said I kept getting more and more invites for a wide variety of fundraisers for Haiti. I've also figured out from watching various reports out of the country that no matter how bad you think it is, it's worse and no matter how much money has been raised it's not enough.

There are still people being pulled alive from destroyed buildings. There are still places that haven't received any help. People who haven't gotten any food aid, make-shift hospitals operating without any real supplies and the death toll is still growing - they aren't just finding more bodies from the quake, people are still dying from their injuries, some simply because there isn't enough medical aid yet.

So, I'm going to do my best to list the fundraisers that I know of, and I will try to update the list and occasionally republish lists for those who are interested. Remember though, you don't need to go to a fundraiser to give - if you're able just go to cbc.ca/haitirelief.

Now, rather than publish the graphic and tragic images that have been pouring out of the country recently I thought I would just pass along this video that I found via Will Mcuirk earlier today. Although Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and it has had far more than it's share of natural disaster and political disaster it has seen far better days. This is a fan video set to the music of the Arcade Fire's song "Haiti". It was made long before the earthquake and contains not a drop of blood or fallen building. I think that it's important not to just look at what is but to consider what was and what may be:



Now the List:

Nationwide: Friday January 22
Close to 100 broadcasters across North America are joining together for "Hope for Haiti Now" - in Canada this broadcast will start at 7 pm. Some details can be found at cbc.ca and more guests are being added by the hour.

On that same day and in the same spirit CBC Radio 3 is hosting an all day "Webathon" for Haiti - get involved via the Radio 3 site, Facebook, Twitter, your own blog, website, myspace ...or whatever you do. Details are at cbcradio3.cbc.ca.

Toronto, Ontario: January 21
The IndieCredit 1st Birthday Party with the Dreamboats, the Skirt Chasers and Yukon Cigar.
Details on the Facebook Event Page.

London, Ontario: January 21
Emm Gryner, Clark Bryan, Marion Miller, Julia MacGregor, Steve Clarke, The Alfredo Caxaj Latin Ensemble, Catherine McInnes, Jennifer Thorpe, Mosaic at the Aeolian Hall
Details at the EMMbassy

Lethrbidge, Alberta: January 22
Haiti Fundraiser at Henotic featuring Fat Baby Jake, Jesse and the Dandelions, and Broken Host unplugged. 100% of proceeds go to World Vision efforts in Haiti.
Details on the Facebook Event Page.

Hamilton, Ontario: January 23
From Hamilton to Haiti Benefit Concert at the Crowne Plaza Lincoln Alexander Center there is a long list of other participating venues and details on the Facebook Event Page.

Toronto, ON: January 24
To Haiti with Love at the Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Trey Anthony of Da Kink in My Hair hosts a long list of performers.
Details on the Facebook Event Page

Halifax, NS: January 24
The Seahorse Tavern with The Stanfields, Andrew Hunter and The Gatherers, Telfer, Ryan McGrath, Sam Ryan Band, The Caravan, GloryHound, Dame Alexander and Dj Dave Stiles details on Facebook

Charlottetown, PEI: January 25th
Baba's Lounge - Help Hatians: 5 Mondays in a row of fundraising at Baba's with "Performers/Poets/Public Speakers and more. Details on Facebook

Montreal, Quebec, January 26
Concert bénéfice : Haïti Kimbé with music from, amoung others, Beast, Malajube, Radio Radio and Mark Berube. Details on the Facebook Event Page

Edmonton: January 27
Haiti Vivan! Haiti Libre
Tonona, Maria Dunn, Kaz, Aroots Bazaar, Souljay Fyah, People's Poets and Gordon Howe at the Ukrainian Hall
Details on Facebook.

Vancouver: January 27
Hope in Haiti is a benefeit for the red cross with the WZRDZ, DJ Flipout and more. Details at hopeinhaiti.eventbrite.com.

Charlottetown, PEI: January 29
At the Historic Charlottetown Seaport Building - with Haywire, Richard Wood, Gordon Belsher, the Grass Mountain Hobos and many others Details at the CBC

Hamilton, Ontario: January 31
Hamilton's Heart for Haiti with Feist, Tom Wilson, Stephen Fearing, the Arkells, Luke Doucet, Meilissa McLelland, Lee Harvey Osmond and more.
Details on the Facebook Event Page

Charlottetown, PEI: February 1st
Baba's Lounge - Help Hatians: 5 Mondays in a row of fundraising at Baba's with "Performers/Poets/Public Speakers and more. Details on Facebook

Toronto, Ontario: February 3
A number of performers will gather at Hugh's Room in Toronto there will also be a silent auction, raffle, and a DVD of the performance for sale as well as live streaming of the event as it happens.
Details on the Facebook Event Page.

Hamilton, Ontario: February 5
More than a dozen performers will gather at the Church of St. Peter. Details on Facebook.

Halifax, NS: February 8
The Halifax Metro Center will host JOel Plaskett, Classified, Anna Ludlow, the Nova Scotia Mass Choir and many, many others.
Details on Facebook

Charlottetown, PEI: February 8th
Baba's Lounge - Help Hatians: 5 Mondays in a row of fundraising at Baba's with "Performers/Poets/Public Speakers and more. Details on Facebook

Charlottetown, PEI: February 15th
Baba's Lounge - Help Hatians: 5 Mondays in a row of fundraising at Baba's with "Performers/Poets/Public Speakers and more. Details on Facebook

Charlottetown, PEI: February 22nd
Baba's Lounge - Help Hatians: 5 Mondays in a row of fundraising at Baba's with "Performers/Poets/Public Speakers and more. Details on Facebook

Although this in no way relates to music I'm told that the Shoppers Drug Mart Web Site will let you donate 'Optimum Points' to the Haiti relief effort - which might be helpful to some of you if you don't have any actual cash at the moment.

Also not music related but Deserres (art supply) is also fundraising in their stores.

Feel Free to List Other Events in the Comments Section!