The Holidays are Over, But Toronto Keeps on Givin' 'Er

If you think the holiday season's message of giving and charity and love is temporary, think again. Local bands have come together to produce the Friends of Bellwoods Compilation, which will raise funds for the Daily Bread Food Bank. Ex-Death From Above 1979's Sebastien Grainger, The Paramedics (starring Bry Webb of the Constantines), Ohbijou and The D'Urbervilles will be playing the CD release party this Friday at Tranzac, where you can also pick up a copy of the CD.

Casey Mecija, a member of Ohbijou, is a resident of the Bellwoods house where the original idea for the compilation started to form. "We decided to create a collection of songs from the people that have passed through my house in some way or another, whether it be through one of our basement shows, recording in the house or hanging on the front lawn. All of the musicians on the compilation have made an impact on the peple who reside at the Bellwoods house. We then decided what better way to give back to the community than making it for the Daily Bread Food Bank." Awww!

Residents of the Bellwoods house include Mecija, fellow bandmate-artist-sister Jenn, artist-friend Kim England, pooch Appleby and turtle Georgia. Mecija emphasizes the way her house functions as part of Toronto's music community, and how important the community is to her own creative efforts. "We occasionally have parties and shows at the house and our friends usually pass by for some dinner or just to hang out. Everyone is so supportive of each other's artistic and musical endeavours. I'm in constant awe of the people I encounter through playing music in Toronto. Everyone is so spirited and it makes living here so exciting."

Apart from the bands playing the party on Friday, the Friends in Bellwoods Compilation includes tracks from Germans, Snailhouse, The Meligrove Band and about twenty other artists.

Mecija says the bands chose the Food Bank as the recipient of the funds raised because of the vast numbers of people in need in the city, and that they aim to raise $10,000. "The Daily Bread Food Bank serves upwards of 75,000 people a month with their services. Their vision is to have "a Canada where hunger does not exist," and if there is a way any of us can contribute to achieving that vision then we should all feel obliged to."

Get tickets at Soundscapes for $10, or pay at the door. Non-perishable food items are welcome at Soundscapes or the night of the party.

Poster (also on sale at the show) by Nicholas Kennedy and Liisa Graham of Trip Print Press. Photo of Trinity Bellwoods Park celebrity the Albino Squirrel courtesy of melsky from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.