The Wings Needed to Fly.
In 2018, I met Vera Goodman.
In her 80’s, Vera has more energy than, well, me somedays! When she asked me to open her “Vera and Friend’s Variety Show” to raise money for her program, Reading Wings, I didn’t need to think about it. The answer was yes!
So many amazing things.
Opening the show, I was at a grand piano on the stage at the Bella Theatre, one of the most glorious stages in Canada. I would be performing alongside Al Muirhead, a Juno Award Winner with his band, and meeting Michelle Cameron Coulter and Darrell Janz, two Canadian Legends as well as so many other amazing performers. All of this carefully organized and produced by Murray Ord (umm Brad Pitt Legends of the Fall kind of stuff).
The best part, the money raised at the event was to support Vera’s reading program, one she created to teach people how to read. Reading Wings has taken flight and travelled the world all the way to Gambia, West Africa.
The last show I did before Covid 19 quarantine was Vera’s Story Circle Project which shared the documentary of the Gambia experience.
Personally this show was a milestone for me. I shared another original song I wrote called Speak Out. Also, for the first time, I had family friends in the audience. It is always harder to sing for people I know. You would think it would be the opposite, but it isn’t. I can sing for thousands of people I don’t know way easier than for 20 people I see in my everyday life. Why is that? If you know, maybe I can write a song about it one day!
So I want to thank Vera for being a role model. To me, and all those young boys and girls in Gambia! Also, thank you for giving me a platform to share my music, and inviting me to be a part of your amazing initiative.
~ xo Kaiya
Recent Comments