This article appeared in the Dec. 12, 2012 issue of the Interlake Enterprise…by Teresa Carey…
A ‘community-raiser’ event, #GiveYourGifts, is being held at the Garrick Centre in Winnipeg on Thursday evening and Gimli’s Dane Bjornson is going to be among the entertainers.
Twelve-year-old Bjornson, who has been compared by some with Justin Bieber, will be playing four numbers, two of them covers and two his own original songs.
He specifically chose “Nothing Like a Best Friend,” which he had written this past summer. He thought it was most apt for this concert.
“When your friends with someone, it’s like giving your gift,” Bjornson said in a telephone interview on Monday. Bjornson said he had written the song with his brother in mind.
“My brother is a really good friend,” he said. “He has been very supportive of all of my music and stuff.”
Bjornson will be performing alongside The Treble, Take Me to the Pilot, and James Struthers, the 23-year-old Winnipeg musician who is the brains behind the #GiveYourGifts event. Struthers had gained acclaim last December with his single, “Blue Christmas,” which rose to No. 8 in the charts.
As someone who grew up with parents who encouraged volunteerism, Struthers got involved as a volunteer early in life. More recently, he has been involved in the We Day movement. He believes that young people can be a force to help change the world, and wants to inspire youth to use their talents and give the gift of their time to help out their community. The #GiveYourGifts event is another way they can help.
Part of the event includes volunteering one’s time and talents in the community. As for Bjornson, he decided that he would make his contribution by busking at the Forks Market in Winnipeg. He raised over $100 this past Saturday and Sunday. All of the money will be donated to the United Way.
Bjornson first met Struthers at the Manitoba Volunteer Awards last spring and about a month ago was he asked to get involved in the event. Since then Bjornson has helped promote the event through Twitter and Facebook and by hanging up posters throughout the community.
Any youth can also get involved. They are invited to post their stories and videos on the #GiveYourGifts Facebook page, or on the United Way Facebook page, showing how they are making a change in the community. The person with the best story will win an Epiphany acoustic guitar.
Proceeds from the #GiveYourGifts benefit concert will support United Way of Winnipeg, an agency which directly impacts the lives of one third of Winnipeggers.
Advance tickets cost $15, or $20 at the door. Tickets are available at United Way, Music Traders and online at www.eventbrite.ca/event/4877519793/es2/?rank=1&ebtv=C
The Garrick Centre is located at 300 Garry St. in Winnipeg. To learn more about the #GiveYourGifts, visit www.unitedwaywinnipeg.ca .
