Shad, Twin Crystals, Brasstronaut Prove "Rock and Roll Is Good for Kids"

BY Josiah HughesPublished May 25, 2009

As both Japandroids and the "weird punk" kids will tell you, Vancouver has got a bad rap as "No Fun City" over the years. Plagued by a lack of steady venues, the city has a ton of rad bands, but often runs into problems in the venue department. Fortunately, there is a ton of willing people doing their best to keep the city running, and among them are the gold-hearted promoters at Rock and Roll Is Good for Kids.

The non-profit organization has made it its goal to counter the drugs and violence of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside by aiming to improve "the lives of children in East Vancouver by raising funds and supplies for safe and fun after-school environments with an emphasis on the arts... Every child deserves the chance to explore, develop and apply their individual artistic, musical, mental and physical talents free from duress."

This year, the organization is putting on a benefit concert to raise money for the supplies. The event takes place at the Astoria on June 6, and features performances from rapper Shad, local no wave rockers Twin Crystals and indie poppers Brasstronaut, as well as the Expendable Youth DJs.

RRGFK is also looking for any or all of the following items, so donate 'em if you got 'em:

Monetary donations
Musical instruments
Art supplies (paints, colouring books, threads, glitter, etc.)
Models to build (eg. model cars, boats, planes)
Wooden projects to build
Socks for children
Kites
Children's books
LEGO
Sports supplies (balls, frisbees, skipping ropes, hockey sticks, etc.)
Laptops
Basketball hoops

Any and all information regarding the fundraising event can be viewed here.

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