Category: Music

Vernon, BC – 03/03/13

Who
Najenga-Congo fund raiser
When
Sunday, March 3, 2013
5:30pm - All Ages Buy Tickets
Where
Vernon Christian Fellowship building (map)
4506 29th Street Vernon, BC V1T 5C1
Vernon, BC, Canada v1t5c1
Other Info
Years of war and internal strife have left the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo in a desperate condition. As with many conflicts, the majority of victims are women and children. Food insecurity, access to medical aid and education are just a few of the challenges the population in this area.
Ongoing instability has only added to the problem but there is hope.
Ray and Mary Anne Bale have lived the last ten years in this area of Africa and, working with many Congolese nationals, are embarking on a new venture. The government of Congo has released 25 acres of land to help facilitate a new agriculture, feeding, clinic, education and training project. "Najenga" Congo is committed to seeing the first phase of a school and feeding project in an area just outside the city of Uvira in South Kivu province of DRC.
In response to the question "What are you doing?" the answer in Swahili is "Najenga". "We are building"
The main thing we are endeavouring to do is build HOPE, for the present and for the future. Will you help?
The Concert features: The Creeks, Cod Gone Wild, Band of Exiles, Ord Family Band (Kelowna), Some Other Time, Ann Dorval Drum Group.
Silent Auction, Bake & Craft Sale, Refreshments by donation. Doors open 5:30pm.

Tickets $15 - purchase online at http://najenga.eventbrite.ca/
Also at VCF Church Office 29th St 9am-3pm (Tues-Fri)

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Kelowna, BC – 03/02/13

Who
With Ezra Kwizera
When
Saturday, March 2, 2013
8:00pm - All Ages Buy Tickets
Where
Minstrel Cafe (map)
4638 Lakeshore Rd.
Kelowna, BC, Canada V1W 1X5

Since opening in March of 2000, the Minstrel Cafe & Bar has established itself as a casual gourmet dining destination nestled in the Okanagan Mission. Serving lunch from 11:30 am and dinner from 5pm til late with live entertainment beginning at 8pm (Seasonal Hours apply).
The Minstrel welcomes you on every occasion.
Other Info
Rwandan singer Ezra Kwizera is coming to Kelowna and Graham will play guitar for him. Reservations highly recommended for this show.

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Kelowna, BC – 03/01/13

Who
Ezra Kwizera in Concert
When
Friday, March 1, 2013
7:30pm - All Ages Buy Tickets
Where
Kelowna Vineyard Church (map)
1370 KLO Road
Kelowna, BC, Canada

Located in The Mars Hill building on KLO
Other Info
Graham will join Ezra Kwizera in his band. In concert $10 at the door.

Kelowna Vineyard - Mars Hill building - 1370 KLO. Rd. Kelowna, BC 7.30pm

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Am I forgotten?

From the title you may think I have become insecure again about my lack of notoriety, but no, it’s actually the title of a song I wrote based on the words of an imprisoned Russian dissident called Alexander Ogorodnikov back in 1987.  During the 1980’s and into the early 90’s I was involved in taking aid and scriptures to the Eastern Block. I became involved with an advocacy group called The Jubilee Campaign which was started by Danny Smith and David Alton MP. The jubilee campaign did a lot to speak up for religious freedoms and during this time two of the people we spoke out for were Valeri Barinov A Russian musician who wrote a gospel ‘Rock Musical’ called The ‘Trumpet Call’,  and also Alexander Ogorodnikov who had been imprisoned for 9 years in the Gulag because of his religious activity.  ock

Recently I heard that Koenraad De Wolf had written a book about Alexander entitled ‘Dissident for life’ and the publishes informed me that my song was mentioned in the book. I feel proud that in some small way it did something to bring to light the plight of Alexander and other people who are prisoners of conscience/faith.  The original recording was a cassette tape so I made a digital copy of it and made this simple video of the song for those interested in hearing it again.  The song was performed on BBC TV by Martyn Joseph who is a musical hero of mine but sadly I didn’t hear it as I was in New Zealand at the time, which incidentally, is why I didn’t sing it myself.

As I have reflected on this song again after all these years I have been stirred to think again about how the Arts are so powerful in bringing issues of social justice to the mind of the public. Music is a powerful tool in bringing social change and I feel so honoured to look over many years of occasionally seeing this in my own life and work.  A simple song can achieve a lot and I need to remember this when it all seems pointless.

If you are interested in reading more about Alexander’s amazing life story, and it truly is amazing! then the book is available from Eerdmans publishing house

The video can be seen here:

Am I forgotten? By Graham Ord.