Strummerfest

This has never happened to any #Strummerfest post before. And the post in question has only been up for 3 hours. I am more than a little pleased that the post that inspired such a response is not one that contained a joke, or an old picture of Joe, or even a video or ad for a show, but a message about #humanrights, human #dignity and #reconciliation. I knew that the majority of #Strummerfest fans had their heads on straight. This proves it.

Every country has darkness in its history. For Canada, there are several such times. One of the most tragic - the wounds of which we continue to deal with - is the legacy of our #residentialschools. We taught a generation that their heritages, their languages, their cultures, their families... their dignity, their integrity, their individuality, their security... didn't matter. The wounds, and the wounded, of those days are still with us. It is essential that we continue i...n healing, not just on a single day with an #orangeshirt, but every day. #orangeshirtday2020

Our community is a hotbed of talent and music appreciation. HOPE in the Street is an excellent example, and good on them for virtually making it, and making it virtual, for 2020.

This seems like decades ago already.

Having been away from the computer most of today, this is a late post, but #RIP Toots Hibbert! A legend passes on. What a legacy he has left for us! #TootsHibbert #tootsandthemaytals

I actually didn't know that today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay when I posted this. How nice to see so many like-minded messages on social media today. https://www.facebook.com/strummerfest/posts/4394335987304631

From the day #Strummerfest started, we knew it had to be about a cause. Not just about nostalgia for Joe Strummer; not just about music; but about something Joe Strummer cared about, something he made music for. Joe Strummer cared about people. Joe's older brother died by #suicide. Whether because of that or in spite of it, Joe was renowned for caring about individuals, for treating people with respect, for believing in humans and in humanity. That is the cause that Strumm...erfest tries to represent. We do that by supporting the work of Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council and Your Life Counts, two independent agencies that strive to help people remember the value in their own lives. This video represents that value. Don't be put off by the fact that the video is made by a church. It's not there to proselyte but to affirm a promise that all of us, religious or not, whoever and whatever we are, can and should make to one another, to be there for one another, to help each other remember that we are worth the time and effort and, yes, even the sometimes bearing with the darkness that living our lives can require. Another thing I like about this video is this: the kid in it? He's privileged. He's a middle class white boy in an affluent family and neighbourhood. He's got safe places to be, and to land. He's got what many other despairing think will solve all of their problems; but he's also got the same despair. I've known people like that. Anyone - truly anyone - could be at risk of the sorrow, sadness, lowliness, depression and despair that can bring someone to the brink. We can't judge from the outside. So we need to always be ready to lend our support regardless of whether we think our friend "ought" to feel the pain that they do. They just, you know, do. And like Strummer says in that awesome song, "Arm's Aloft" -- "And just when you're thinking about slinkin' down, I'm gonna pull you up, I'm gonna pull ya round." We couldn't do Strummerfest this year, but we can still do caring. Be there for one another. And stay, well and truly, free. Cheers. https://youtu.be/RPhCJaBqh74

I used this song (written and originally performed by Joe Strummer) in a video celebrating my dad's 80th birthday. His 92nd comes up in under a month. He won't be here for it, but I am sure he'll be somewhere celebrating it "all silver and gold". https://youtu.be/522hHPWLoxA?t=5015

This is how happy someone looks right after they buy a 2019 #Strummerfest t-shirt. Thanks for your patience, Gino. Glad we could finally meet and get you properly garbed!

A friend just shared this picture, from the Wendy's drive-through on Fischer-Hallman in Kitchener. Thank you, random #Strummerfest supporter! (And thank you, Keaghan, for sharing the shot.)

A fantastic share from Trash City Radio show via Andrew Lister. Thanks! Amazing Stuff! https://www.mixcloud.com//tcrs-presents-london-calling-r/

Yes, we've not said anything much. It's turned out that this weekend has been busy enough to keep me distracted from the sad truth that this would have been #Strummerfest's 13th formal concert event, 15th event overall, and 4th year at Waterloo Public Square. Instead, it's a #COVID19 long weekend. In case you, like we, want to remember the good times that have been, check out these links: 1> The Strummerfest Report - Who's done what and why since our first event in December ...Continue reading