BASICS #16 (Nov/Dec 2009)
by J.D. Benjamin
On October 24, it was standing room only in cozy Parkdale bar Not My Dog, as the Philippine Solidarity Organizing Group and local rock band Hot Karl and the Cincinnati Bowties came together for a benefit concert to raise funds for disaster relief in the Philippines.The band played two blistering 45 minute sets of covers, ranging from The Beatles to The Kinks. Not your typical cover band, Hot Karl’s unique style of 70’s influenced rock added their signature sound to the songs they play. The band was happy to help out for the cause and clearly enjoyed playing for an audience of regular fans that follow them to various venues around the city as well as entertaining new guests that came out for the fundraiser.
In between the sets, Diwa Marcelino of BAYAN-Canada, a coalition of progressive Filipino organizations in Canada, spoke about the devestation of Typhoon Ondoy, the slow response of the notoriously corrupt Philippine government and thanked the crowd for their support. Attendees dug deep as the donation jar was passed around and Not My Dog co-owner Russ Fernandes pledged a percentage of the bar take. By the end of the night, over $700 was raised, all of which went to grass roots peoples’ organizations in the Philippines.
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