Musicians

“It’s about the homeless. Nothing more, nothing less.”

That, in a nutshell, is the slogan and modus operandi behind Blank-Fest, a growing network of independent music festivals held in Canada, the U.S. and England designed to obtain blankets to keep the homeless warm.

Most recently, Alberta became the newest addition to the network via November 5^th’s Blank-Fest Calgary, held at the Blind Beggar Pub, which raised nearly $1000, 200 blankets and some winter clothing for the city’s homeless shelter, The Mustard Seed.

The 12-hour marathon festival got underway at 2 p.m., and featured a dozen rock and metal bands from Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, including Stampede Six, Grime House, Stella and Dreams Of Reason. The 10 participating acts also donated a track to the compilation album, Blank-Fest Calgary – Vol. 1 – It’s About The Homeless; Nothing More, Nothing Less, available for free download at www.blankfest.bandcamp.com

The Amy Winehouse Foundation, which will benefit various youth and children’s projects and charities throughout the world, is now active, but until it is fully up and running, Comic Relief in the UK and America Gives Back in the U.S. have set up the Amy Winehouse Fund to receive donations in her name, according to a posting on the official web site.

 In addition to direct donations, the proceeds from a brand new song with Tony Bennett, her last studio recording before her untimely death in July, will go to the charity.

The duet, called “Body and Soul,” was recorded on March 23 of this year at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London, England. A video has also been released, which is part of a bigger documentary on Bennett that was filmed by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Dion Beebe (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha) for his new collaborative studio album, Duets II.

“We had a beautiful time recording together in the studio and I knew that Amy was very happy with how she performed that day,” Bennett said in a statement for Sony Music.  “I thought she was absolutely brilliant and this recording truly captures the essence of her unique artistry. She was a rare talent.”  

The 27-year-old British singer, whose 2006 sophomore album, Back To Black, topped charts internationally and won five Grammys, was found dead on July 23. Almost immediately the family began taking the steps to create a Foundation in her name.

“I was in New York when I received the terrible news about Amy,” her father, Mitch, said in a statement issued by the Foundation. “It was almost instantaneous, this feeling that we need to help people she cared about.  Amy was very generous and we kept coming back to the thought of how much she loved children.  It seemed appropriate that the focus of our work should be with young people, those who are vulnerable either through ill health or circumstance.  Amy touched millions throughout the world and I know she will continue to, through the Foundation.” 

Who wants Nick Carter’s dirty shoes? How about his dirty shoes signed by every member of the Backstreet Boys and New Kids On The Block? The recent NKOTBSB tour of arenas proves there are still thousands of fans who would. Now, add to that a charitable angle and that’s some good dirt.

The Backstreet Boy has come up with a great way to preserve his prized sneakers and continue to help raise awareness about the destruction that mankind is reaping on the environment. And it just might lead to a permanent non-profit, Nick’s Dirty Kicks, somewhere down the road. But for now, it's all about a pair of used shoes.

During a recent stop in Toronto to promote his solo album, I’m Taking Off, Carter told Samaritanmag that he just came up with the idea the other day.

“See these sneakers right here?” he says pointing to his gleaming white Air Jordan’s. “These are new versions of ones that I just had. They were my favourite sneakers in the world. They’re called Spizikes. The ones before were two years old and I wore them everywhere because I’m in love with them. I brought them all around the world, even onstage in Russia.

“They got worn out and I got them dirty. I tried to clean ‘em. They got dirtier and dirtier and before you knew it, they were the ugliest piece of crap ever.