12 February
Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fundraiser
Saturday, 14 February at 7pm - The Front Gallery and Cafe, Wattle Street Lyneham
Phone: 6249 8453, Email: info@servantsofsound.org
With the tragic fires in Victoria causing widespread devastation, C.L.I.Mate in collaboration with Servants of Sound, are hosting a benefit gig at the Front in Lyneham. You can make donations at the event, with all donations forwarded to the Appeal.
Special guest Thermohaline (REGEN) LIVE + local artists
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Other ways you can help!
Tips from a Canberra fire survivor:
*Donate cash. Every little bit counts. If every person in Australia donated just five dollars, imagine what a difference it would make.
*Basic essentials. Please only donate things that are new or of good quality. Don’t slow down the relief effort by having the team receiving the donations in Victoria have to sort through linen, clothing or manchester that is soiled, torn, buttons missing or otherwise damaged in any way. Better to donate one item that is new or in good condition rather than several things that you don’t wear anymore because they’re too out of fashion, have broken zips or are stained. Similarly with bed linen, towels, blankets etc, only donate what is good quality or new.
*Think of all the things you need every day -- pyjamas, toothbrush, toothpaste, face washer, soap, toiletries bag, deodorant, hairbrush, comb, shampoo, clothes suitable for work, casual clothes, belt, shoes, socks, watch, hair ties, wallet, handbag, keyring, hat, sunscreen, etc. These people have nothing. While they will receive immediate assistance in the form of cash and gift vouchers from charitable organisations for major retail outlets, I remember that every day there was something I needed and didn’t have. Within the first few days we needed notepads and pens just to deal with the paperwork and the insurance company.
*Needs change over time, as people move into temporary accommodation they will need cooking utensils, pots, pans, plates, cups, bowls, kitchen knives, furniture, TVs, beds… the list is endless.
*Cold weather will come in another month or two and winter clothes will be needed at this time -- warm tops, coats, hats and scarves. Blankets, electric blankets and heaters will also be needed. I distinctly remember the day the weather suddenly turned cold in Canberra and no-one in the family had a warm top to wear.
*Kits. If you’re thinking of what else to give, put together a first aid kit for the home, or an office kit (containing sticky tape, scissors, notepads, pens, stapler etc), or a toiletry bag (with toothpaste, toothbrush, nail scissors, shampoo, etc), or a make-up kit with make-up, eye make-up remover, lip gloss, mascara etc), or a hair care kit for a child with a brush, hair ties etc, or a sports kit for a child (drink bottle, hat, lunchbox, sunscreen, soccer ball), a kitchen kit (mixing bowls, cookbooks, cooking utensils, a good sharp knife, etc,), a tool kit (hammer, nails, screwdrivers, hacksaw etc) -- these will be much appreciated.
*Make something. Some of our most treasured items are the ones that were made, with love, by complete strangers. The quilt that was one of the hundreds that arrived from all over Australia, the hand-knitted rugs that my children like to snuggle under in winter. If you make jewellery, make a few pairs of earrings or a necklace. If you make toys, make something for the children who have lost theirs. If you knit, make a winter scarf. If you sew, make some table placemats or a beautiful table runner. If you’re an artist, paint a picture or frame a drawing.
I still find it incredibly moving that people cared enough to put time and love into making something that has now become a new family treasure for us.
*Grow something. Those that remain, and those that decide to rebuild, face a blackened, denuded landscape. If you live in within reasonable distance of the bushfire area, pot some some seedlings and start growing some vegetation to help rejuvenate the gardens that were lost. Contact your local nursery, land care or conservation group to see what vegetation is drought resistant and/or native to the area. In Canberra, a very successful Garden Regeneration Scheme was set-up by volunteers and in the two-year period after the fires, they helped many, many people re-landscape their gardens. To see green, to see new growth, when we returned to our rebuilt home, was not only beautiful but gave us hope that we too could recover.
*Kids. My three children were young at the time of the fires, so I remember well how grateful I was when we received toys, colouring-in books, pencils and textas, craft items, DVDs, books to read and pushbikes.
*Friends and acquaintances. If you know personally know someone who was affected, every little gesture of help and support helps. Bake some biscuits or a meal and drop it around to them, offer to put their washing on the line, offer to do their supermarket shopping, offer to mind their kids. I remember feeling so overwhelmed and so busy answering phone calls and organising basic survival that I simply didn’t have time or energy to cook meals, wash, clean and do all the other things that keep a family going -- this went on for months. This help will be invaluable in coming weeks and months.
9 February
On the enchanted sunny afternoon of Sunday 5 October 2008, the Dragon Dreaming Festival was just about brought to a complete standstill. It was at this moment, when, gracing the Water Dragon Stage, Spoonbill introduced himself to the Canberra community with his eccentric sound art. What immediately followed was a stampede, a sudden rush of people - foot stomping mayhem. Many will remember the dance floor as it was carved up with the vibrations of rhythmical body movements created in time to the the intricate weave of Spoonbill's quirky grooves, warped instrumentals and odd samples crossing all genres and boundaries.
Servants of Sound are very excited to announce that we will again be hosting Spoonbill on Friday 17th April as he returns to Canberra to share his new album, Zoomorphic.
Stay tuned for more details!!
www.myspace.com/spoonbillsound
www.omelette.net.au
8 February
The Servants of Sound Crew extends a very big thank you to everyone who contributed to the 2008 Dragon Dreaming Festival. Your assistance, creativity and energy made it a most memorable event for everyone.
We are currently working on a new website dedicated specifically to the festival which we will launch in the very near future. We have also commenced planning and preparation for this year's festival, and we're keen to hear your ideas. If you have something you would like to contribute, send us an email at info@servantsofsound.org or join our discussions at www.servantsofsound.org/forums
