JETAA Ottawa charity concert aids Smile Kids Japan and the Tohoku Kids Project efforts
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters, Return on JET-vestment 
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*********** Via JETAA Ottawa
By Ala Ji (Kyoto-fu, 2001-02) for the JETAA Ottawa Newsletter.
On May 24, JETAA Ottawa hosted a charity concert featuring two local bands to help raise money for children affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
While Japan recovers gradually a year after the catastrophe, many children are still struggling with the aftermath and trying to regain a sense of stability in their lives. To help them move past the tragedy and build a brighter future, JETAA Ottawa continues to put in its best effort. With a team of dedicated JET alumni and their supporting family and friends, the charity concert helped raise money for Smile Kids Japan and the Tohoku Kids Project.
The concert was held in the picturesque town of Wakefield, surrounded by Gatineau hills and lakes just 30 minutes outside of Ottawa. The Black Sheep Inn, a well-known local hub with open arms to all musicians and music lovers, generously donated this venue free for the concert. When dusk broke, a yellow school bus full of enthusiastic concert-goers pulled up to this live-music joint of an otherwise tranquil town. These guests consisted of JET alumni, friends and family, Embassy of Japan staff, and followers of the talented musicians who volunteered to provide music for the night.
The concert opened with JET alumnus Jordan Patrick playing a variety of English and Japanese songs with girlfriend Hiromi, who also brought us songs from Okinawa. Lincez, the musical duo featuring Jordan and his father Mark Victor, then hit the stage with some friends providing accompaniment. They played beautiful melodies and original scores of mix indie and modern folk music. By this time, the room had been heated up with the sounds guitars, keyboard, drums, chattering and laughter. Catching this enthusiasm, Alex Svetlovsky, the current JETAA Ottawa President, leaped onto the stage introducing Smile Kids Japan and the Tohoku Kids Project, the charity organization that will be receiving the proceeds from the concert.
Smile Kids Japan is a non-profit organization focusing on supporting children who rely on orphanages for care and support. Many of its executive board members are current and past JET participants. It is part of the Tohoku Kids Project, which focuses on providing long-term material and emotional support to orphanages in Tohoku and other areas, directly and indirectly affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
Following the intermission, the Ottawan band – the Hornettes – came on the stage and kept the energy peaked in the room with classic Motown, soul and funk sounds that drew the crowd to the dance floor. One great song after another, the Hornettes set everyone on their toes, chanting, jumping, heart pumping, and dance floor moving. We happily concluded this successful and energetic event in great appreciation and many thanks to the Black Sheep Inn, and to Lincez and the Hornettes, who generously donated their time and talent.
Immediately after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, JETAA Ottawa organized a fundraising reception that brought together the Japanese community and the Ottawan communities at large, contributing to the relief effort of the Canadian Red Cross Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami appeal. This concert is another effort that JETAA Ottawa led to lend a helping hand. Together, these events raised over $30,000.
The concert opened with JET alumnus Jordan Patrick playing a variety of English and Japanese songs with girlfriend Hiromi, who also brought us songs from Okinawa. Lincez, the musical duo featuring Jordan and his father Mark Victor, then hit the stage with some friends providing accompaniment. They played beautiful melodies and original scores of mix indie and modern folk music. By this time, the room had been heated up with the sounds guitars, keyboard, drums, chattering and laughter. Catching this enthusiasm, Alex Svetlovsky, the current JETAA Ottawa President, leaped onto the stage introducing Smile Kids Japan and the Tohoku Kids Project, the charity organization that will be receiving the proceeds from the concert.
Smile Kids Japan is a non-profit organization focusing on supporting children who rely on orphanages for care and support. Many of its executive board members are current and past JET participants. It is part of the Tohoku Kids Project, which focuses on providing long-term material and emotional support to orphanages in Tohoku and other areas, directly and indirectly affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
Following the intermission, the Ottawan band – the Hornettes – came on the stage and kept the energy peaked in the room with classic Motown, soul and funk sounds that drew the crowd to the dance floor. One great song after another, the Hornettes set everyone on their toes, chanting, jumping, heart pumping, and dance floor moving. We happily concluded this successful and energetic event in great appreciation and many thanks to the Black Sheep Inn, and to Lincez and the Hornettes, who generously donated their time and talent.
Immediately after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, JETAA Ottawa organized a fundraising reception that brought together the Japanese community and the Ottawan communities at large, contributing to the relief effort of the Canadian Red Cross Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami appeal. This concert is another effort that JETAA Ottawa led to lend a helping hand. Together, these events raised over $30,000.
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