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Category: Blankfest Quebec
0 Montreal Rampage – Photo Journal of Blankfest: Two Nights of Good (music + deeds)
0 Montreal rampage – Blankfest 2015 : Fight the Cold And Rock Hard for Montreal’s Homeless
0 NEWS: Blankfest Quebec 2015 Returns March 7th to Help Montreal’s Homeless!
For Interview, Album Requests, Media List contact
Jon Asher – Music Publicist – ashermedia [AT] gmail.com
Radio Promotions – radiotrackingashermedia [AT] gmail.com
#514.581.5780 – www.ashermediarelations.com
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – February 11, 2015
Blankfest Quebec | OldBreweryMission.ca
Blankfest Quebec 2015 Returns March 7th to Help Montreal’s Homeless!
After a small break from five consecutive Blankfests in Montreal from 2009-2013, Blankfest Quebec returns for its 6th edition to help Montreal’s homeless keep warm with its upcoming charity show / winter clothing drive.
Montreal is known for having one of Canada’s harshest and coldest winters, and every year it’s unfortunate that those who are homeless must endure the reality of living on the street.
Since its conception, Blankfest Quebec has been raising awareness and clothing (over 3,000 items to date) for Montreal’s homeless and shelter the Old Brewery Mission.
This year sees the return of the charity event for its 6th edition with the city’s music community coming together once again to help those in need. Blankfest Quebec VI will be held on Saturday, March 7th at Piranha Bar (680 Ste. Catherine W.) and see reunion sets by Fist of Freedom and Repetant plus support from Keychain and All There Is To Know.
Blankfest VI 2015 – Event Details:
Dungeon Works Productions & Asher Media Relations Present BLANKFEST QUEBEC 2015 with proceeds donated to Old Brewery Mission.
Facebook Event – https://www.facebook.com/events/795344697181324/
Facebook Fanpage – Blankfest Quebec – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blankfest-Quebec/124607864221341
Old Brewery Mission – www.oldbrewerymission.ca and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mission-Old-Brewery-page-officielle/168973503131279
Date: Saturday, March 7th, 2015
Time: Doors: 7:30pm – Show: 8pm
Venue: Piranha Bar, 680 Ste-Catherine W.
Cost: ADMISSION TO SHOW IS DONATION OF CLOTHING, PREFERABLY WINTER CLOTHING FOR THE HOMELESS. WE’LL EVEN TAKE SLEEPING BAGS AND BLANKETS, THINK SITTING OUTDOORS IN -40C. WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE WEARING!
Bands:
Fist of Freedom
Repetant
Keychain
All There Is To Know
About: The Old Brewery Mission Soothing homelessness. Solving homelessness.
Founded in 1889, The Old Brewery Mission is the largest resource for homeless men in Quebec and for homeless women in Canada. This non-profit organization provides a range of services that respond to the needs of Montreal’s homeless people as well as those at risk of becoming so, and endeavours to enable them to take control of their lives and assume their rightful place in the community. It is estimated that there are close to 20,000 homeless people in Montreal.
About: Blankfest Quebec is organized by Jon Asher, in collaboration with the Old Brewery Mission, and was launched after Jon read about his friend, New York City indie rock veteran Kenn Rowell of The Baghdaddios, who founded Blankfest in 1997 and has been organizing the annual blanket fundraiser in New York City since then.
Since its inception in NYC, Rowell estimates that Blank-Fest has collected over 10,000 total donations for the homeless, which have been distributed to the homeless in the New York City area and has inspired similar efforts in New Jersey, Manhattan and Nottingham, UK. Among the many distinguished artists who have performed at past international Blank-Fests are: Rothberg (EMI), Buddy Cage (Grateful Dead), Marc Rizzo (Soulfly) and Meg Griffin (Sirius Radio).
For info on Blankfest, please visit the following links:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blankfest-Quebec/124607864221341
http://www.blankfest.org/
Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blank-Fest
Past Press Coverage:
CTV Montreal – http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120218/mtl_blankfest_120218/20120218?hub=MontrealHome
Bands warm up Montreal’s streets with BlankFest
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Health/Bands+warm+Montreal+streets+with+BlankFest/1368552/story.html
RockandRollReport.com – http://rockandrollreport.com/feb-18-blankfest-quebec-iv-its-about-the-homeless-nothing-more-nothing-less/
Feb 23 2011 – CJAD 800AM – Blankfest 2011 – http://youtu.be/uznJ1bmbsFQ
Blankfest Documentary – 2011 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_nZr7wZhjc
part 2 – http://youtu.be/DtUy2Oms2Cw
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0 Montrealites – BLANKFEST QUEBEC V – Raises Nearly 800 Clothing Items For Montreal’s Homeless
0 BLANKFEST QUEBEC V – Raises Nearly 800 Clothing Items For Montreal’s Homeless
Blankfest Quebec | OldBreweryMission.ca
BLANKFEST QUEBEC V – Raises Nearly 800 Clothing Items For Montreal’s Homeless
Blankfest Quebec, the music charity event that has been raising awareness and clothing for Montreal’s homeless and shelter the Old Brewery Mission for the last four years are proud to announce they have raised nearly 800 clothing items and $281 at this year’s 5th annual winter clothing and fund raising event.
Montreal is known for having one of Canada’s harshest and coldest winters, and every year it’s unfortunate that those who are homeless must endure the reality of living on the street. Blankfest Quebec was founded for that reason when event organizer Jon Asher heard about the original Blankfest created by Kenn Rowell (The Baghdaddios) 17 years ago in New York City.
Taking place this past Saturday on March 9th at the Piranha Bar, the event was supported by local bands Vinyl Hero, Fist of Freedom, Dissension and Forbidden Sin along with support from the Heavy Metal Music Association of Canada (H.M.M.A.C).
“I’m proud and thankful for everyone’s help for the Old Brewery Mission. I believe that awareness, aiding with funds and clothing items for the homeless is a necessity in our community whether it is this cause or another. I want to thank the donors who came out to support the event, the musicians, H.M.M.A.C., Piranha Bar, Frite Alors, DungeonWorks, the ladies of the Steger Residence and their donation of knitted scarves and tuques and every volunteer who helped make this a successful clothing collection and fundraiser.” comments event organizer Jon Asher.
In addition to the Blankfest Quebec V, the Heavy Metal Music Association of Canada also held a fundraising brunch at Frite Alors the morning of March 9th along with a panel discussion on the topic of How Music Helps Charity & How Charity Helps Music with panelists Johanne McDonald (Executive Director – Old Brewery Mission), Jon Asher (Blankfest Quebec), Jason Rockman (Slaves On Dope, CHOM 97.7FM), Norm Zimmerman (Steve’s Music Store),Ray Howard (Vinyl Hero).
With this year’s total of 796 items collected, Blankfest Quebec has approximately surpassed 3200 clothing items collected for the homeless.
This year’s Blankfest Quebec saw the following clothing items donated:
Steger Residence knitted scarves and tuques: 332
Shirts: 215
Sweaters: 75
Misc: 45
Pants: 35
Jackets: 22
Blankets: 18
Bags: 13
Socks: 11 pairs
Tuques: 11
Scarves: 7
Gloves: 5
Skirts: 4
Baby Clothes: 3
Total: 796
0 March 9 – BLANKFEST QUEBEC V – It’s About The Homeless; Nothing More, Nothing Less
Blankfest Quebec | OldBreweryMission.ca
March 9 – BLANKFEST QUEBEC V – It’s About The Homeless; Nothing More, Nothing Less
Montreal is known for having one of Canada’s harshest and coldest winters, and every year it’s unfortunate that those who are homeless must endure the reality of living on the street.
Since its conception, Blankfest Quebec has been raising awareness and clothing (over 2,500 items to date) for Montreal’s homeless and shelter the Old Brewery Mission.
This year sees the return of the fifth annual charity event with city’s music community coming together once again to help those in need. Blankfest Quebec V will be held on March 9th at Piranha Bar (680 Ste. Catherine W.) with blues rockers Vinyl Hero, society fighters Fist of Freedom, metallers Dissension and the politically charged Forbidden Sin.
In addition to the Blankfest Quebec V, the Heavy Metal Music Association of Canada will be holding a fundraising brunch at Frite Alors (680 Ste. Catherine W.) the morning of March 9th at 11am to raise funds for the Old Brewery Mission along with a speakers panel on the topic of Charity & Music.
Note: H.M.M.A.C. will be accepting donations of rolled pennies at the brunch for those interested in getting rid of them.
Cost for brunch and panel is $20 with $5 to be donated to Old Brewery Mission.
Speaking Panelist are the following:
Johanne McDonald – Executive Director – Old Brewery Mission
Jon Asher – Blankfest Quebec
Jason Rockman – CHOM 97.7FM
Norm Zimmerman – Steve’s Music Store
Ray Howard – Vinyl Hero
Blankfest V 2013 – Event Details
Facebook Event – https://www.facebook.com/events/224310721027493
Facebook Fanpage – Blankfest Quebec – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blankfest-Quebec/124607864221341
Old Brewery Mission – www.oldbrewerymission.ca and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mission-Old-Brewery-page-officielle/168973503131279
Date: Saturday, March 9th, 2013
Time: 8pm
Venue: Frite Alors, 680 Ste-Catherine W.
Cost: Admission is a Blanket or Donation of Winter Clothing
– 30 –
About: The Old Brewery Mission Soothing homelessness. Solving homelessness.
About The Old Brewery Mission
Founded in 1889, The Old Brewery Mission is the largest resource for homeless men in Quebec and for homeless women in Canada. This non-profit organization provides a range of services that respond to the needs of Montreal’s homeless people as well as those at risk of becoming so, and endeavours to enable them to take control of their lives and assume their rightful place in the community. It is estimated that there are close to 20,000 homeless people in Montreal.
About: Blankfest Quebec is organized by Jon Asher, in collaboration with the Old Brewery Mission, and was launched after Jon read about his friend, New York City indie rock veteran Kenn Rowell of The Baghdaddios, who founded Blankfest in 1997 and has been organizing the annual blanket fundraiser in New York City for the past 17 years.
In the past, Rowell says, Blankfest NYC has raised more than 6,000 total donations that have been distributed to the homeless in the New York City area and has inspired similar efforts in New Jersey, Manhattan and Nottingham, UK. Among the many distinguished artists who have performed at past international Blank-Fests are: Rothberg (EMI), Buddy Cage (Grateful Dead), Marc Rizzo (Soulfly) and Meg Griffin (Sirius Radio).
1 Montreal’s Music Community Raises Over 600 Clothing Items For Homeless At Blankfest Quebec IV
Montreal’s Music Community Raises Over 600 Clothing Items For Homeless At Blankfest Quebec IV
Montreal’s socially conscious bands Society’s Ills, The Era Of, Rudebeats and Isolate Cast came together this past Saturday, February 18th for the 4th annual Blankfest Quebec to answer the call to help those in need during Montreal’s coldest winter months and raise over 600 clothing items for the city’s largest and oldest shelter, the Old Brewery Mission.
“I’m always impressed by the generosity and compassion from the city of Montreal, its citizens and its music scene. Their support along with media and sponsors to help raise awareness and proceeds is always astounding,” commented Blankfest Quebec organizer and music publicist Jon Asher.
Proceeds from this year’s Blankfest Quebec came not just from the music community, but also from grandmothers across Quebec.
“My heart was truly touched by the kindness of this year’s donations of knitted blankets, scarves and tuques that came from both the ladies at the Steger Residence in Montreal and the “Townships Grandmothers” who quilted blankets when they heard there was a need to help the homeless.”
The “Townships Grandmothers” are one of about 300 grandmother groups across Canada that raise money and awareness to help relieve the suffering and turn the tide on HIV/AIDS in Africa and are linked to the “Grandmothers to Grandmothers” campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation that helps over 16 million AIDS orphans in Africa who are presently being cared for by their grandmothers because their parents died of AIDS. For more info please visit www.stephenlewisfoundation.org and www.grandmotherscampaign.org.
A special thanks to Blankfest Quebec‘s sponsors and supporters, Frites Alors! McGill, Skunk Magazine for their donated fundraising prizes, Labyrinthe for donating T-shirts for the homeless and fundraising prizes, Dungeonworks Productions, RockandRollReport.com, Heavy Metal Music Association of Canada & Asher Media Relations, along with Montreal’s media, CTV, Montreal Gazette, Montreal Mirror, CJLO 1690AM, CKUT 90.3FM, CJAD 800AM.
Total of Collected Clothing Items
48 Blankets
88 Shirts
19 pants
99 tuques
117 scarves
25 coats
76 sweaters
34 pairs of gloves
20 pairs of socks
102 Baby Clothing
1 Pair of shoes
Total Amount: 629 Clothing Items
Pictures from Blankfest Quebec IV
Loaded Bus with Old Brewery Mission Representative and Blankfest Quebec Organizer Jon Asher
Donations from Mike Marino (The Catalyst) and friend with Old Brewery Mission Representative
Nick Guerin of Labryinthe/Artimonde & Dungeonworks Productions with Donation of T-Shirts
Old Brewery Mission Bus Full of Clothing Donations
About: Blankfest Quebec is organized by Jon Asher, in collaboration with the Old Brewery Mission, and was launched after Jon read about his friend, New York City indie rock veteran Kenn Rowell of The Baghdaddios, who founded Blankfest in 1997 and has been organizing the annual blanket fundraiser in New York City for the past 15 years.
In the past, Rowell says, Blankfest NYC has raised more than 6,000 total donations that have been distributed to the homeless in the New York City area and has inspired similar efforts in New Jersey, Manhattan and Nottingham, UK. Among the many distinguished artists who have performed at past international Blank-Fests are: Rothberg (EMI), Buddy Cage (Grateful Dead), Marc Rizzo (Soulfly) and Meg Griffin (Sirius Radio).
For info on Blankfest please visit the folloiwng links:
http://www.blankfest.org/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blankfest-Quebec/124607864221341
Sponsors:
Skunk Magazine – http://www.skunkmagazine.com/
Labryinthe – http://www.labyrintherock.com/
Asher Media Relations – https://ashermediarelations.com/
Heavy Metal Music Association of Canada (H.M.M.A.C.) – http://www.facebook.com/HMMACANADA
Dungeonworks Productions – http://www.facebook.com/groups/105887138551/
Rock and Roll Report – http://rockandrollreport.com/
Band Links:
Society’s Ills – http://societysills.bandcamp.com/ (Free Downloads)
Music Video – The State – http://youtu.be/peMwQ4daN-w
The Era Of… – http://www.theeraof.com/
Rude Beats – http://www.myspace.com/rudebeatsfunk
Isolate Cast – http://www.isolatecast.com/
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About the Old Brewery MissionSoothing homelessness. Solving homelessness.
For more than 120 years, the OBM is the largest network of shelters for homeless men in Quebec and the largest resource for homeless women in Canada, providing safe nighttime refuge to more than 125,000 homeless individuals and more than 338,000 meals per year, as well as transition and counselling services to help its clientele find the necessary stability and autonomy to rebuild their lives.
Thanks to the OBM’s transition programs, more than 3,000 people requested emergency assistance in the past year and more than 629 of these people no longer live in the streets.
0 CTV Montreal – Blankfest aims to help clad homeless in warmth
0 Montreal Mirror – Blankfest rocks winter for homeless
http://www.montrealmirror.com/wp/2012/02/09/the-front-69/
Cold nights, warm beats
Sure, it’s been a relatively mild winter so far, but for Montreal’s homeless community, even the not-so-harsh is never easy. So, on Saturday, Feb. 18, the fourth edition of musical benefit bash Blankfest Quebec will be going down at Frite Alors! (680 Ste-Catherine W., 9 p.m.). In exchange for a blanket or one or more items of winter clothing that the Old Brewery Mission will be distributing to those in need, you’ll gain admission to check out a slew of local bands, including The Era Of, Society’s Ills, RudeBeats and Isolate Cast.
An idea created in ’97 by Kenn Rowell of NYC punk band the Baghdaddios, the Blankfest concept has since spread to a series of cities across North America and the U.K., with local organizer Jon Asher hoping to see coordinated Blankfests occurring in at least four more Canadian cities next year.
“I know there’re lots of charities, but all this takes is five minutes to go through your closet, take out the things you haven’t worn in a while or that no longer fit, and bring them to the gig on Saturday,” notes Asher. “It’s fuckin’ cold outside and there’re people out there who really need them.”
See Blankfest Quebec IV on Facebook for more info.
—CHRIS BARRY
ashermediarelations.com 