Listening to music in a post-dental surgery drug-induced haze, Zoe Clint thought to herself: “music, that’s a great way to fundraise for something.”
Now she’s the Tim Hortons Camp Day fundraising co-ordinator for three of Langford’s Tim Hortons locations.
“I ran with it,” she said. “I wanted to make other people feel good.”
Her co-workers at the Goldstream location loved the idea, so she secured Eagle Ridge Park as a venue and set July 6 as the Tim Hortons Camp Day Battle of the Bands to raise funds for underprivileged children to attend summer camp.
On stage at America’s Got Talent four years ago, John Johnston, better known as Johnny Bagpipes, felt like he’d been had. As a judge for the fundraising band battle, he’s determined not to convey those feelings to participants.
“I know what it’s like to have your hopes and dreams shot down from America’s Got Talent,” Johnston said. “I don’t like to see that, but I think (competition is) fun because it makes all the bands do their peak performances, because they’re being judged. I hate seeing people get discouraged because they didn’t win. There are no losers.
“I love rock and roll. I love live music and I think live music needs to be supported. We’ve seen it fading out in Victoria and the Western Communities, and it needs to come back,” he added.
He’ll bring his prior experience as a judge for Victoria’s Got Talent with him.
“Little girls would come out there and sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star … you think ‘dang it. I love you’ (said with Blaine Shelton twang). Then you say that and the little girl doesn’t win and you face the parents,” said Johnston.
Peter Bodman co-owner of ManKind Studio will judge alongside Johnny Bagpipes.
“There’s a spark to certain acts. There’s a certain something that’s hard to define. … you can usually hear it in bands that have it,” said Trevor Timmermann, co-owner of ManKind. “We’re always looking for new stuff you never know.”
Bands will compete for a recording prize offered by ManKind Studio during the two-hour battle.
Deadline for bands to apply, via email to zhannahc@gmail.com, is June 6. The application fee is $20.
The day of the battle, local musicians will perform. Other activities planned from 2 to 7 p.m. include belly dancing demonstration and instruction, kids’ events, food vendors and acting troupes.
The Battle of the Bands starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults with those 12 and younger free.
“We want it to be affordable to all families,” Clint said. “It’s going to be pretty spectacular.”
Tim Hortons Camp Day Battle of the Bands is July 6 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Eagle Ridge City Center, 1089 Langford Pkwy.
Did you know?
The Tim Horton Children’s Foundation was established in 1974 by Ron Joyce, Co-Founder of the Tim Hortons chain, to honour Tim Horton’s love for children and his desire to help those less fortunate.
The Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to providing a fun-filled camp environment for children from economically disadvantaged homes.
Johnny Bagpipes’ africanpreschools.org
Husband and wife team of Marianne Schaubeck and John Johnston (better known as Johnny Bagpipes) founded African Preschools Society.
Schaubeck owns Reservations Africa, a tour operator specializing in independent travel to Southern and East Africa. Johnston is a professional stand up comic.
Travelling frequently to Africa in 1998, they started delivering school supplies to a makeshift preschool in Lillydale B., a rural community bordering Kruger National Park, South Africa. By 2001, they committed to building a new preschool facility for the community.
In May 2002 the couple opened the 10-room preschool. In November 2004, African Preschools Society became a registered charity.